A note on infinite extreme correlation matrices

We give a characterization for the extreme points of the convex set of correlation matrices with a countable index set. A Hermitian matrix is called a correlation matrix if it is positive semidefinite with unit diagonal entries. Using the characterization we show that there exist extreme points of any rank.Comment: 7 page

Completely positive maps on modules, instruments, extremality problems, and applications to physics

Convex sets of completely positive maps and positive semidefinite kernels are considered in the most general context of modules over $C^*$-algebras and a complete charaterization of their extreme points is obtained. As a byproduct, we determine extreme quantum instruments, preparations, channels, and extreme autocorrelation functions. Various applications to quantum information and measurement theories are given. The structure of quantum instruments is analyzed thoroughly.Comment: 32 page

On the structure of covariant phase observables

We study the mathematical structure of covariant phase observables. Such an observable can alternatively be expressed as a phase matrix, as a sequence of unit vectors, as a sequence of phase states, or as an equivalent class of covariant trace-preserving operations. Covariant generalized operator measures are defined by structure matrices which form a W*-algebra with phase matrices as its subset. The properties of the Radon-Nikodym derivatives of phase probability measures are studied.Comment: 11 page

Complete measurements of quantum observables

We define a complete measurement of a quantum observable (POVM) as a measurement of the maximally refined version of the POVM. Complete measurements give information from the multiplicities of the measurement outcomes and can be viewed as state preparation procedures. We show that any POVM can be measured completely by using sequential measurements or maximally refinable instruments. Moreover, the ancillary space of a complete measurement can be chosen to be minimal.Comment: Based on talk given in CEQIP 2012 conferenc

Extreme commutative quantum observables are sharp

It is well known that, in the description of quantum observables, positive operator valued measures (POVMs) generalize projection valued measures (PVMs) and they also turn out be more optimal in many tasks. We show that a commutative POVM is an extreme point in the convex set of all POVMs if and only if it is a PVM. This results implies that non-commutativity is a necessary ingredient to overcome the limitations of PVMs.Comment: 5 pages, minor corrections in v

Extreme phase and rotated quadrature measurements

We determine the extreme points of the convex set of covariant phase observables. Such extremals describe the best phase parameter measurements of laser light - the best in the sense that they are free from classical randomness due to fluctuations in the measuring procedure. We also characterize extreme fuzzy rotated quadratures

The Pegg-Barnett Formalism and Covariant Phase Observables

We compare the Pegg-Barnett (PB) formalism with the covariant phase observable approach to the problem of quantum phase and show that PB-formalism gives essentially the same results as the canonical (covariant) phase observable. We also show that PB-formalism can be extended to cover all covariant phase observables including the covariant phase observable arising from the angle margin of the Husimi Q-function.Comment: 10 page

Quantum tomography, phase space observables, and generalized Markov kernels

We construct a generalized Markov kernel which transforms the observable associated with the homodyne tomography into a covariant phase space observable with a regular kernel state. Illustrative examples are given in the cases of a 'Schrodinger cat' kernel state and the Cahill-Glauber s-parametrized distributions. Also we consider an example of a kernel state when the generalized Markov kernel cannot be constructed.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figure

Density matrix reconstruction from displaced photon number distributions

We consider state reconstruction from the measurement statistics of phase space observables generated by photon number states. The results are obtained by inverting certain infinite matrices. In particular, we obtain reconstruction formulas, each of which involves only a single phase space observable.Comment: 19 page

Continuous variable tomographic measurements

Using a recent result of Albini et al. to represent quantum homodyne tomography in terms of a single observable (as a normalized positive operator measure) we construct a generalized Markov kernel which transforms (the measurement outcome statistics of) this observable into (the measurement outcome statistics of) a covariant phase space observable. We also consider the inverse question. Finally, we add some remarks on the quantum theoretical justification of the experimental implementations of these observables in terms of balanced homodyne and 8-port detection techniques, respectively.Comment: 9 page