Hermittian Operators

Definition

The conjugate transpose of a matrix M M=nkmnk|enek| is defined as M=nkmkn|enek|. If the conjugate transpose of a matrix is equal to itself, M=M, then the matrix is said to be Hermittian.

Properties of Hermittian Operators

  • For any kets |ψ1 and |ψ2 ψ1|M|ψ2=ψ1|M|ψ1=ψ2|M|ψ1, by the definition of Hermittian operator.

  • All eigenvalues of a Hermittian operator are real M \left| n \right> &= \lambda_n \left| n \right> Then, n|M|n=λn M|n=λn|nn|M=λnn|n|M=λnn|. Then, n|M|n=λ)n. So, λn=λn, i.e. it is real.

  • Eigenvectors of Hermittian operators with distinct eigenvalues are orthogonal to each other. Let M|n=λn|n and M|k=λk|k, where λnλk. Then, k|M|n=λnk|n and n|M|k=λkn|kk|M|n=λkk|n. So, 0=(λnλk)k|n. Since λnλk, we have k|n=0

  • If the eigenvectors of the Hermittian operator have same eigenvalue, one can always construct a new set of eigenvectors in terms of linear combination of the original eigenvector set to achieve orthogonality

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