This work gives a detailed investigation of matrix product state (MPS)
representations for pure multipartite quantum states. We determine the freedom
in representations with and without translation symmetry, derive respective
canonical forms and provide efficient methods for obtaining them. Results on
frustration free Hamiltonians and the generation of MPS are extended, and the
use of the MPS-representation for classical simulations of quantum systems is
discussed.Comment: Minor changes. To appear in QI
