Title
Two-State Quantum Systems Revisited: A Clifford Algebra Approach
Date Issued
01 April 2021
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Publisher(s)
Birkhauser
Abstract
We revisit the topic of two-state quantum systems using the Clifford Algebra in three dimensions Cl3. In this description, both the quantum states and Hermitian operators are written as elements of Cl3. By writing the quantum states as elements of the minimal left ideals of this algebra, we compute the energy eigenvalues and eigenvectors for the Hamiltonian of an arbitrary two-state system. The geometric interpretation of the Hermitian operators enables us to introduce an algebraic method to diagonalize these operators in Cl3. We then use this approach to revisit the problem of a spin-1/2 particle interacting with an external arbitrary constant magnetic field, obtaining the same results as in the conventional theory. However, Clifford algebra reveals the underlying geometry of these systems, which reduces to the Larmor precession in an arbitrary plane of Cl3.
Volume
31
Issue
2
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Matemáticas
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85102192783
Source
Advances in Applied Clifford Algebras
ISSN of the container
01887009
Sponsor(s)
We would like to thank J. L. Bazo for his helpful comments. We would also like to thank the referees for their careful reading of the manuscript. This work was supported by the Huiracocha grant from the Graduate School of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus