It is usually taken for granted that the natural mathematical framework for quantum mechanics is the theory of Hilbert spaces, where pure states of a quantum system correspond to complex vectors of unit length. These vectors can be combined to create more general states expressed in terms of positive semidefinite matrices of unit trace called density operators. A density operator tells us everything we know about a quantum system. In particular, it specifies a unique probability for any measurement outcome. Thus, to fully appreciate quantum mechanics as a statistical model for physical phenomena, it is necessary to understand the basic properties of its set of states. Studying the convex geometry of quantum states provides important clues as to why the theory is expressed most naturally in terms of complex amplitudes. At the very least, it gives us a new perspective into thinking about structure of quantum mechanics. This thesis is concerned with the structure of quantum state space obtained from the geometry of the convex set of probability distributions for a special class of measurements called symmetric informationally complete (SIC) measurements. In this context, quantum mechanics is seen as a particular restriction of a regular simplex, where the state space is postulated to carry a symmetric set of states called SICs, which are associated with equiangular lines in a complex vector space. The analysis applies specifically to 3-dimensional quantum systems or qutrits, which is the simplest nontrivial case to consider according to Gleason's theorem. It includes a full characterization of qutrit SICs and includes specific proposals for implementing them using linear optics. The infinitely many qutrit SICs are classified into inequivalent families according to the Clifford group, where equivalence is defined by geometrically invariant numbers called triple products. The multiplication of SIC projectors is also used to define structure coefficients, which are convenient for elucidating some additional structure possessed by SICs, such as the Lie algebra associated with the operator basis defined by SICs, and a linear dependency structure inherited from the Weyl-Heisenberg symmetry. After describing the general one-to-one correspondence between density operators and SIC probabilities, many interesting features of the set of qutrits are described, including an elegant formula for its pure states, which reveals a permutation symmetry related to the structure of a finite affine plane, the exact rotational equivalence of different SIC probability spaces, the shape of qutrit state space defined by the radial distance of the boundary from the maximally mixed state, and a comparison of the 2-dimensional cross-sections of SIC probabilities to known results. Towards the end, the representation of quantum states in terms of SICs is used to develop a method for reconstructing quantum theory from the postulate of maximal consistency, and a procedure for building up qutrit state space from a finite set of points corresponding to a Hesse configuration in Hilbert space is sketched briefly.

It is usually taken for granted that the natural mathematical framework for quantum mechanics is the theory of Hilbert spaces, where pure states of a quantum system correspond to complex vectors of unit length. These vectors can be combined to create more general states expressed in terms of positive semidefinite matrices of unit trace called density operators. A density operator tells us everything we know about a quantum system. In particular, it specifies a unique probability for any measurement outcome. Thus, to fully appreciate quantum mechanics as a statistical model for physical phenomena, it is necessary to understand the basic properties of its set of states. Studying the convex geometry of quantum states provides important clues as to why the theory is expressed most naturally in terms of complex amplitudes. At the very least, it gives us a new perspective into thinking about structure of quantum mechanics. This thesis is concerned with the structure of quantum state space obtained from the geometry of the convex set of probability distributions for a special class of measurements called symmetric informationally complete (SIC) measurements. In this context, quantum mechanics is seen as a particular restriction of a regular simplex, where the state space is postulated to carry a symmetric set of states called SICs, which are associated with equiangular lines in a complex vector space. The analysis applies specifically to 3-dimensional quantum systems or qutrits, which is the simplest nontrivial case to consider according to Gleason's theorem. It includes a full characterization of qutrit SICs and includes specific proposals for implementing them using linear optics. The infinitely many qutrit SICs are classified into inequivalent families according to the Clifford group, where equivalence is defined by geometrically invariant numbers called triple products. The multiplication of SIC projectors is also used to define structure coefficients, which are convenient for elucidating some additional structure possessed by SICs, such as the Lie algebra associated with the operator basis defined by SICs, and a linear dependency structure inherited from the Weyl-Heisenberg symmetry. After describing the general one-to-one correspondence between density operators and SIC probabilities, many interesting features of the set of qutrits are described, including an elegant formula for its pure states, which reveals a permutation symmetry related to the structure of a finite affine plane, the exact rotational equivalence of different SIC probability spaces, the shape of qutrit state space defined by the radial distance of the boundary from the maximally mixed state, and a comparison of the 2-dimensional cross-sections of SIC probabilities to known results. Towards the end, the representation of quantum states in terms of SICs is used to develop a method for reconstructing quantum theory from the postulate of maximal consistency, and a procedure for building up qutrit state space from a finite set of points corresponding to a Hesse configuration in Hilbert space is sketched briefly.

Yes / Various inequalities (Boole inequality, Chung–Erdös inequality, Frechet inequality) for Kolmogorov (classical) probabilities are considered. Quantum counterparts of these inequalities are introduced, which have an extra 'quantum correction' term, and which hold for all quantum states. When certain sufficient conditions are satisfied, the quantum correction term is zero, and the classical version of these inequalities holds for all states. But in general, the classical version of these inequalities is violated by some of the quantum states. For example in bipartite systems, classical Boole inequalities hold for all rank one (factorizable) states, and are violated by some rank two (entangled) states. A logical approach to CHSH inequalities (which are related to the Frechet inequalities), is studied in this context. It is shown that CHSH inequalities hold for all rank one (factorizable) states, and are violated by some rank two (entangled) states. The reduction of the rank of a pure state by a quantum measurement with both orthogonal and coherent projectors, is studied. Bounds for the average rank reduction are given.

In this work our aim is to study several aspects related to quantum coherence as understood to correspond with the non-classical behaviour that can be observed for certain particular states of a physical system. In particular we are interested in the possible mechanisms that result in dynamically induced transitions between quantum and classical regimes. The thesis is organized as follows: The first chapter dubs as an introduction and serves to set out the basic philosophy underlying the questions addressed in this thesis. It also presents some elementary properties of states and state spaces in Quantum Theory including what we have chosen to define as classical and quantum behaviour. In chapter 2 we study some of the aspects related to observing quantum behaviour and of the properties of our main definition of classicality (and quantumness). Here we also study some of the restrictions imposed on measurements by the existence of globally conserved quantities (Wigner-Araki-Yanase theorem) and their relationship to weak measurements coupled to postselection. In the following chapter we review some of the basic tools used in the description of open quantum system dynamics that will be applied in other chapters. In chapter 4 we review the basics of decoherence and analyse the importance of the choice of initial conditions when trying to study the dynamical emergence of classical behaviour within Quantum Theory. Next we study the other direction of the transition and focus on how to obtain pure quantum states from states that originally were classically mixed. Along the same lines, in chapter 6 we cover some topics related to the production of pure quantum states from measurements. We pay special attention to a model of the non-selective continuous monitoring of a system coupled to another unmonitored system. Lastly we explore some of the possible similarities between the theory of phase transitions and the quantum-classical transition. We must emphasize that all the work done in this thesis assumes that Quantum Theory is generally valid (at least within a broad enough range of energies). Thus, when we say that a state is "classical" we will mainly be referring to one of all the possible states contained in Quantum Theory, but that is susceptible to being interpreted as corresponding to "classical" behaviour. Similarly when we speak of creating a "quantum", or "quantum coherent", state we mean that the system has evolved to this state from one of the "classical" ones, but all of these still correspond to valid states within Quantum Theory. In the opinion of the author the main original contributions that can be found in this thesis are the following: - The recognition of the relationship between the Wigner-Araki-Yanase theorem and weak measurements coupled to postselection (sections 2.2 and 2.4); - A mathematical proof of the possible ambiguities arising when two observers try to decide if a state corresponds to quantum or classical behaviour (section 2.6); - The implications of initial correlations in decoherence models. In particular how the choice of certain (correlated) initial conditions can result in residual coherence and the production of pure quantum states in a model that otherwise results in ideal decoherence when (locally equivalent) uncorrelated initial conditions are used (section 4.2); - Various results related to the production of quantum states from initially classical states (sections 5.2 to 5.4); - The analysis of the inverse of a generalized depolarizing channel (section 5.7); - The study of a model of the non-selective continuous monitoring, in the quantum Zeno limit, of a subsystem A interacting with an unmonitored subsystem B. In particular the absence of the purification of B, which has been previously predicted in the selective case, but the possibility of coherent dynamics for B (section 6.4); - The identification of the loose equivalent of a broken symmetry and order parameter in the quantum-classical transition (section 7.2).

The study of coherent states (CS) for a quantum mechanical system has received a lot of attention. The definition, applications, generalizations of such states have been the subject of work by researchers. A common starting point of all these approaches is the observation of properties of the original CS for the harmonic oscillator. It is well-known that they are described equivalently as (a) eigenstates of the usual annihilation operator, (b) from a displacement operator acting on a fundamental state and (c) as minimum uncertainty states. What we observe in the different generalizations proposed is that the preceding definitions are no longer equivalent and only some of the properties of the harmonic oscillator CS are preserved. In this thesis we propose to study a new class of coherent states and its properties. We note that in one example our CS coincide with the ones proposed by Glauber where a set of three requirements for such states has been imposed. The set of our generalized coherent states remains invariant under the corresponding time evolution and this property is called temporal stability. Secondly, there is no state which is orthogonal to all coherent states (the coherent states form a total set). The third property is that we get all coherent states by acting on one of these states ['fiducial vector'] with operators. They are highly non-classical states, in the sense that in general, their Bargmann functions have zeros which are related to negative regions of their Wigner functions. Examples of these coherent states with Bargmann function that involve the Gamma and also the Riemann ⲝ functions are represented. The zeros of these Bargmann functions and the paths of the zeros during time evolution are also studied.

In this paper, we introduce the motivation for Bell inequalities and give some background on two different types: CHSH and Mermin's inequalities. We present a proof for each and then show that certain quantum states can violate both of these inequalities. We introduce a new result stating that for four given measurement directions of spin, two respectively from Alice and two from Bob, which are able to produce a violation of the Bell inequality for an arbitrary shared quantum state will also violate the Bell inequality for a maximally entangled state. Then we provide another new result that characterizes all of the two-qubit states that violate Mermin's inequality.

Two-dimensional electron systems in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures have provided a platform for investigating numerous phenomena in condensed matter physics. The quantum Hall effect is a particularly remarkable phenomenon due to its topological properties, including chiral edge states with quantized conductance. This report describes progress made in interference measurements of these edge states in electronic Fabry-Perot interferometers. Previous interference experiments in the quantum Hall regime have been stymied by Coulomb charging effects and poor quantum coherence. These Coulomb charging effects have been dramatically suppressed by the implementation of a novel GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure which utilizes auxiliary screening wells in addition to the primary GaAs quantum well. Using this heterostructure, Aharonov-Bohm interference is measured in very small devices which have greatly improved coherence. Robust Aharonov-Bohm interference is reported at fractional quantum Hall states nu = 1/3 and nu = 2/3. Discrete jumps in phase at nu = 1/3 consistent with anyonic braiding statistics are observed. The report concludes with proposed future experiments, including extending these results to possible non-Abelian quantum Hall states.

The study of coherent states (CS) for a quantum mechanical system has received a lot of attention. The definition, applications, generalizations of such states have been the subject of work by researchers. A common starting point of all these approaches is the observation of properties of the original CS for the harmonic oscillator. It is well-known that they are described equivalently as (a) eigenstates of the usual annihilation operator, (b) from a displacement operator acting on a fundamental state and (c) as minimum uncertainty states. What we observe in the different generalizations proposed is that the preceding definitions are no longer equivalent and only some of the properties of the harmonic oscillator CS are preserved. In this thesis we propose to study a new class of coherent states and its properties. We note that in one example our CS coincide with the ones proposed by Glauber where a set of three requirements for such states has been imposed. The set of our generalized coherent states remains invariant under the corresponding time evolution and this property is called temporal stability. Secondly, there is no state which is orthogonal to all coherent states (the coherent states form a total set). The third property is that we get all coherent states by acting on one of these states [¿fiducial vector¿] with operators. They are highly non-classical states, in the sense that in general, their Bargmann functions have zeros which are related to negative regions of their Wigner functions. Examples of these coherent states with Bargmann function that involve the Gamma and also the Riemann ¿ functions are represented. The zeros of these Bargmann functions and the paths of the zeros during time evolution are also studied. / Libyan Cultural Affairs

Durante a década de 90 diversos trabalhos surgiram com o objetivo de investigar a localização de estados quânticos. No contexto da eletrodinâmica quântica de cavidades é possível localizar estados não clássicos de um dado campo externo aplicado ao sistema, uma cavidade preenchida com um material não linear inicialmente preparada no estado de vácuo. Baseado em tal cenário, propomos uma técnica de localização de estados vibracionais de um íon armadilhado. Para isso, considera-se um íon armadilhado em um potencial confinante cujos graus de liberdade vibracionais e os níveis eletrônicos do íon são acoplados por meio de um laser. Uma vez gerada a interação, faz-se uso da técnica de engenharia de reservatórios a fim de obtermos uma equação mestra na qual haja uma dinâmica emissiva e absortiva, ambas artificiais, promovidas por liouvillianos engenheirados, obtidos utilizando o sistema auxiliar (níveis internos do íon). Decorre-se disso uma dinâmica efetiva, já que a emissão espontânea é sempre presente. Sob um certo regime de parâmetros, a competição entre os liouvillianos leva o sistema de interesse para um estado vibracional estacionário caracterizando a localização. A técnica apresentada é mais geral pois mesmo partindo-se de um estado de máxima mistura, a localização é atingida com alta fidelidade em relação ao estado vibracional almejado. O papel exercido pela engenharia de interações para o sucesso da localização é o principal fator motivador deste trabalho. / In the 90s several works arose in order to investigate the localization of quantum states. In the context of quantum electrodynamics of cavities, it is possible to find non-classical states of a given external field applied to the system employing, for instance, a cavity (initially prepared in the vacuum states) filled with a non-linear material. In such scenario, we propose a trapped ion vibrational state localization technique. Consider a trapped ion confined in a potential whose vibrational and electronic degrees of freedom are coupled through two laser fields. Once such interaction is generated, we make use of the reservoir engineering technique in order to obtain a master equation in which there is an artificial dynamics of emission and absorption promoted by engineerined liouvillians obtained by using an auxiliary system (internal ion levels) within an effective dynamics, since the spontaneous emission is always present. Under a certain set of parameters, competition among liouvillians takes the system of interest to a vibrational steady-state featuring localization. The presented technique is interesting because the steady-state is achieved with high fidelity with respect to the desired vibrational state even when starting with highly mixed states. The role presented by the engineered interactions is fundamental for a successful localization and it is the primary motivation of this work.

Durante a década de 90 diversos trabalhos surgiram com o objetivo de investigar a localização de estados quânticos. No contexto da eletrodinâmica quântica de cavidades é possível localizar estados não clássicos de um dado campo externo aplicado ao sistema, uma cavidade preenchida com um material não linear inicialmente preparada no estado de vácuo. Baseado em tal cenário, propomos uma técnica de localização de estados vibracionais de um íon armadilhado. Para isso, considera-se um íon armadilhado em um potencial confinante cujos graus de liberdade vibracionais e os níveis eletrônicos do íon são acoplados por meio de um laser. Uma vez gerada a interação, faz-se uso da técnica de engenharia de reservatórios a fim de obtermos uma equação mestra na qual haja uma dinâmica emissiva e absortiva, ambas artificiais, promovidas por liouvillianos engenheirados, obtidos utilizando o sistema auxiliar (níveis internos do íon). Decorre-se disso uma dinâmica efetiva, já que a emissão espontânea é sempre presente. Sob um certo regime de parâmetros, a competição entre os liouvillianos leva o sistema de interesse para um estado vibracional estacionário caracterizando a localização. A técnica apresentada é mais geral pois mesmo partindo-se de um estado de máxima mistura, a localização é atingida com alta fidelidade em relação ao estado vibracional almejado. O papel exercido pela engenharia de interações para o sucesso da localização é o principal fator motivador deste trabalho. / In the 90s several works arose in order to investigate the localization of quantum states. In the context of quantum electrodynamics of cavities, it is possible to find non-classical states of a given external field applied to the system employing, for instance, a cavity (initially prepared in the vacuum states) filled with a non-linear material. In such scenario, we propose a trapped ion vibrational state localization technique. Consider a trapped ion confined in a potential whose vibrational and electronic degrees of freedom are coupled through two laser fields. Once such interaction is generated, we make use of the reservoir engineering technique in order to obtain a master equation in which there is an artificial dynamics of emission and absorption promoted by engineerined liouvillians obtained by using an auxiliary system (internal ion levels) within an effective dynamics, since the spontaneous emission is always present. Under a certain set of parameters, competition among liouvillians takes the system of interest to a vibrational steady-state featuring localization. The presented technique is interesting because the steady-state is achieved with high fidelity with respect to the desired vibrational state even when starting with highly mixed states. The role presented by the engineered interactions is fundamental for a successful localization and it is the primary motivation of this work.