Abstract:
We find that the projective line over the (noncommutative) ring of
2×2 matrices with coefficients in GF(2) fully accommodates
the algebra of 15 operators (generalized Pauli matrices)
characterizing two-qubit systems. The relevant subconfiguration consists of
15 points, each of which is either simultaneously distant or simultaneously
neighbor to (any) two given distant points of the line.
The operators can be identified one-to-one with the points such that their
commutation relations are exactly reproduced by the underlying geometry
of the points with the ring geometric notions of neighbor and distant
corresponding to the respective operational notions of commuting and
noncommuting. This remarkable configuration can be viewed in two principally
different ways accounting for the basic corresponding 9+6 and 10+5
factorizations of the algebra of observables{:} first, as a disjoint union
of the projective line over GF(2)×GF(2) {(}the "Mermin"
part{\rm)} and two lines over GF(4) passing through the two selected
points that are omitted{;} second, as the generalized quadrangle of order
two with its ovoids and/or spreads corresponding to {\rm(}maximum{\rm)} sets
of five mutually noncommuting operators and/or groups of five maximally
commuting subsets of three operators each. These findings open unexpected
possibilities for an algebro-geometric modeling of finite-dimensional quantum
systems and completely new prospects for their numerous applications.
Keywords:
projective ring line, generalized quadrangle of order two, two-qubit.
Citation:
M. Saniga, M. Planat, P. Pracna, “Projective ring line encompassing two-qubits”, TMF, 155:3 (2008), 463–473; Theoret. and Math. Phys., 155:3 (2008), 905–913