Non-negative Wigner functions in prime dimensions

According to a classical result due to Hudson, the Wigner function of a pure, continuous variable quantum state is non-negative if and only if the state is Gaussian. We have proven an analogous statement for finite-dimensional quantum systems. In this context, the role of Gaussian states is taken on by stabilizer states. The general results have been published in [D. Gross, J. Math. Phys. 47, 122107 (2006)]. For the case of systems of odd prime dimension, a greatly simplified proof can be employed which still exhibits the main ideas. The present paper gives a self-contained account of these methods.Comment: 5 pages. Special case of a result proved in quant-ph/0602001. The proof is greatly simplified, making the general case more accessible. To appear in Appl. Phys. B as part of the proceedings of the 2006 DPG Spring Meeting (Quantum Optics and Photonics section

Localization of Multi-Dimensional Wigner Distributions

A well known result of P. Flandrin states that a Gaussian uniquely maximizes the integral of the Wigner distribution over every centered disc in the phase plane. While there is no difficulty in generalizing this result to higher-dimensional poly-discs, the generalization to balls is less obvious. In this note we provide such a generalization.Comment: Minor corrections, to appear in the Journal of Mathematical Physic

Uniqueness results for the phase retrieval problem of fractional Fourier transforms of variable order

In this paper, we investigate the uniqueness of the phase retrieval problem for the fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) of variable order. This problem occurs naturally in optics and quantum physics. More precisely, we show that if $u$ and $v$ are such that fractional Fourier transforms of order $\alpha$ have same modulus $|F_\alpha u|=|F_\alpha v|$ for some set $\tau$ of $\alpha$'s, then $v$ is equal to $u$ up to a constant phase factor. The set $\tau$ depends on some extra assumptions either on $u$ or on both $u$ and $v$. Cases considered here are $u$, $v$ of compact support, pulse trains, Hermite functions or linear combinations of translates and dilates of Gaussians. In this last case, the set $\tau$ may even be reduced to a single point (i.e. one fractional Fourier transform may suffice for uniqueness in the problem)

Localizability in de Sitter space

An analogue of the Newton-Wigner position operator is defined for a massive neutral scalar field in de Sitter space. The one-particle subspace of the theory, consisting of positive-energy solutions of the Klein-Gordon equation selected by the Hadamard condition, is identified with an irreducible representation of de Sitter group. Postulates of localizability analogous to those written by Wightman for fields in Minkowski space are formulated on it, and a unique solution is shown to exist. A simple expression for the time-evolution of the operator is presented.Comment: Presentation improved; references adde