arXiv subjects

Mark J. Everitt

Publications and source records attributed to Mark J. Everitt.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

From Mass-Shell Factorisation to Spin: An Attempt at a Matrix-Valued Liouville Framework for Relativistic Classical and Quantum Phase-Spacetime

Here we argue that spinor structure arises naturally if relativistic statistical mechanics is formulated directly on phase spacetime. Requiring a first-order phase-spacetime description that retains both mass-shell branches leads to a Clifford factorisation of the relativistic constraint and hence to a $4\times4$ spinor-matrix distribution function. We show that deformation quantisation leads to a phase-space formulation of spin quantum mechanics. We argue that projection onto positive- and negative-energy sectors recovers the standard relativistic classical transport equations in the appropriate scalar limits, while the corresponding left- and right- stargenvalue equations reproduce the constraint structure of the Dirac-Wigner formulation. The result is a phase-space route from relativistic statistical mechanics to spinor quantum mechanics, in which spin algebra emerges as the internal structure required by any relativistic statistical theory containing both mass-shell branches and the dimensions of angular momentum from quantum non-locality.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Visualising multiqubit correlatons using the Wigner function

Quantum engineering now allows to design and construct multi-qubit states in a range of physical systems. These states are typically quite complex in nature, with disparate, but relevant properties that include both single and multi-qubit coherences and even entanglement. All these properties can be assessed by reconstructing the density matrix of those states - but the large parameter space can mean physical insight of the nature of those states and their coherence can be hard to achieve. Here we explore how the Wigner function of a multipartite system and its visualization provides rich information on the nature of the state, not only at illustrative level but also at the quantitative level. We test our tools in a photonic architecture making use of the multiple degrees of freedom of two photons.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

On quantum invariants and the graph isomorphism problem

Three new graph invariants are introduced which may be measured from a quantum graph state and form examples of a framework under which other graph invariants can be constructed. Each invariant is based on distinguishing a different number of qubits. This is done by applying alternate measurements to the qubits to be distinguished. The performance of these invariants is evaluated and compared to classical invariants. We verify that the invariants can distinguish all non-isomorphic graphs with 9 or fewer nodes. The invariants have also been applied to `classically hard' strongly regular graphs, successfully distinguishing all strongly regular graphs of up to 29 nodes, and preliminarily to weighted graphs. We have found that although it is possible to prepare states with a polynomial number of operations, the average number of preparations required to distinguish non-isomorphic graph states scales exponentially with the number of nodes. We have so far been unable to find operators which reliably compare graphs and reduce the required number of preparations to feasible levels.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

The challenges for Systems Engineers of non-classical quantum technologies

Non-classical quantum technologies that rely on manipulation of quantum states and exploitation of quantum superposition and entanglement are approaching a level of maturity sufficient to contemplate commercialization as the basis of practical devices for sensing, communications, navigation and other applications in the relatively near-term. However, realization of such technologies is dependent upon the development of appropriate Quantum Systems Engineering (QSE) approaches. It is clear that whilst traditional systems engineering will support much of the integration need, there are aspects associated with system of interest definition, system modelling, and system verification where substantial advances in the systems engineering approach are required. This paper lays out in detail the challenges associated with Quantum Enabled Systems and Technologies (QEST) and analyses the adequacy of systems engineering processes and tools, as defined by the Systems and Software Engineering lifecycle standard (ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288), to meet these challenges. The conclusions of this paper provide an outline agenda for systems research in order to engineer QEST.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Observing quantum chaos with noisy measurements and highly mixed states

A fundamental requirement for the emergence of classical behavior from an underlying quantum description is that certain observed quantum systems make a transition to chaotic dynamics as their action is increased relative to $\hbar$. While experiments have demonstrated some aspects of this transition, the emergence of quantum trajectories with a positive Lyapunov exponent has never been observed directly. Here, we remove a major obstacle to achieving this goal by showing that, for the Duffing oscillator, the transition to a positive Lyapunov exponent can be resolved clearly from observed trajectories even with measurement efficiencies as low as 20%. We also find that the positive Lyapunov exponent is robust to highly mixed, low purity states and to variations in the parameters of the system.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Wigner Functions for Arbitrary Quantum Systems

The possibility of constructing a complete, continuous Wigner function for any quantum system has been a subject of investigation for over 50 years. A key system that has served to illustrate the difficulties of this problem has been an ensemble of spins. Here we present a general and consistent framework for constructing Wigner functions exploiting the underlying symmetries in the physical system at hand. The Wigner function can be used to fully describe any quantum system of arbitrary dimension or ensemble size.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Collapse and Revival and Cat States with an N Spin System

We discuss collapse and revival of Rabi oscillations in a system comprising a qubit and a "big spin" (made of N qubits, or spin-1/2 particles). We demonstrate a regime of behaviour analogous to conventional collapse and revival for a qubit-field system, employing spin coherent states for the initial state of the big spin. These dynamics can be used to create a "Schrodinger cat" state of the big spin. Even for relatively small values of N, states with significant potential for quantum metrology applications can result, giving sensitivity approaching the Heisenberg limit.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

On "non-Hermitian Quantum Mechanics"

A series of recent papers ``Faster than Hermitian Quantum Mechanics'' and related articles made a point of the possibility of a non-Hermitian, but PT-symmetric, operator to play the role of a Hamiltonian. In particular, they show that with an appropriate choice of an inner product, the evolution generated by such an operator will conserve the norm and scalar product. Here we observe that if one chooses such an inner product then the Hamiltonian in question is actually Hermitian, and the whole exercise is to a certain degree redundant.

quant-ph↗