Abstract
The expectation values of a Hermitian operator (A) over cap in (2s + 1)(2) specific coherent states of a spin are known to determine the operator unambiguously. As shown here, (almost) any other set of (2s + 1)(2) coherent state projectors also provide a basis for self-adjoint operators. This is proved by considering the determinant of the Gram matrix associated with the coherent state projectors as a Hamiltonian of a fictitious classical spin system. The result guarantees that (almost) any experimentally desirable choice of directions is appropriate for reconstructing the state of a quantum spin by means of a Stem-Gerlach apparatus.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 489-490 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Journal | Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2004 |
Bibliographical note
© 2004 IOP Publishing Ltd. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics.Keywords
- state reconstruction
- quorum
- coherent states
- density matrix