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University Quantum Mechanics II · topic UQMII-04.01

Tensor-product spaces for two subsystems

Connect the ideas, make your working visible, and test the result. Use the hints when you need a starting point; open the full solution after your attempt.

Further practice

Work through a fresh case before tackling the extension.

Further practice · 01

Tensor-product spaces for two subsystems: predict a finite change

The tensor product H_A ⊗ H_B is the state space of systems A and B taken together: it is spanned by the product kets |i⟩|j⟩ of basis kets of each part, so it has d_A d_B dimensions, and any superposition Σ cᵢⱼ|i⟩|j⟩ of them is a state. Use the supplied topic model Y_out = (200*(cosd(th1/2)*cosd(th2/2)*sind(th1/2)*sind(th2/2)+cosd(th1/2)*sind(th2/2)*sind(th1/2)*cosd(th2/2)))/100, where Y_out is ⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding) (dimensionless). The output symbol Y_out is distinct from all input symbols. ^ denotes a power; π = 3.141592653589793; sind/cosd/tand use degrees. th1 is Spin 1 polar angle θ₁, measured in °. Keep th2 (Spin 2 polar angle θ₂) = 150 ° fixed. For this exercise use only 283.95 ° ≤ th1 ≤ 321.75 ° on this continuous branch. A grid of test settings is an input restriction for this exercise, not by itself a claim of physical quantisation. This calculation retains the topic model's stated assumptions; it does not extend them to a different physical setup. Calculate Y_out at th1 = 292.266 ° and 297.558 °. Find the signed output change ΔY_out and the average sensitivity ΔY_out/Δth1 across this interval. State whether the response increases or decreases; distinguish this interval average from a derivative at one point.

Explore the question data

⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding) against th1

Predictions from the supplied Tensor-product spaces for two subsystems model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law.

Vertical axis (y): ⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding)

⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding) against th1Predictions from the supplied Tensor-product spaces for two subsystems model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law. Horizontal axis: th1: Spin 1 polar angle θ₁ / °. Vertical axis: ⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding). Exact values are available in the data table below.-0.4923-0.4448-0.3974-0.35-0.3025282.4292.6302.9313.1323.3xy

Horizontal axis (x): th1: Spin 1 polar angle θ₁ / °

Axes show the supplied calibration interval; the origin may lie outside the plot.

Reading 1th1: Spin 1 polar angle θ₁ / °: 283.9⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding): -0.4853
Read the exact data as a table
⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding) against th1 — supplied values
th1: Spin 1 polar angle θ₁ / °⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding)
283.95-0.4852532367342713
293.4-0.4588773128419906
302.85-0.4200467769494708
312.3-0.36981554748930484
321.75-0.30954697465491715

These are the supplied values, not a worked answer. No fitted trend is drawn.

Show a hint

Substitute each value of th1 separately while keeping every other input fixed, then subtract in the same order.

Reveal the worked solution
  1. At th1 = 292.266 °, substitute into Y_out = (200*(cosd(th1/2)*cosd(th2/2)*sind(th1/2)*sind(th2/2)+cosd(th1/2)*sind(th2/2)*sind(th1/2)*cosd(th2/2)))/100: Y₀ = -0.462717.
  2. At th1 = 297.558 °, the same fixed-parameter model gives Y₁ = -0.443271.
  3. Signed change: ΔY_out = Y₁ − Y₀ = 0.0194459; the input change is Δth1 = 5.292 °.
  4. Average sensitivity is ΔY_out/Δth1 = 0.00367458 1 per °. Its positive sign means that this response increases over the specified interval.
  5. This is a secant slope between two settings. It equals a point derivative only for a locally linear relation or in a justified small-interval limit.

Answer Y₀ = -0.462717, Y₁ = -0.443271; ΔY_out = 0.0194459; average sensitivity = 0.00367458 1 per °.

Compare the assumptions, method and units with your attempt. Explain any correction before trying another question.

Extra challenging questions

Work through the linked stages and explain what each result means.

Extra challenging · 01

Tensor-product spaces for two subsystems: infer an input with uncertainty

The tensor product H_A ⊗ H_B is the state space of systems A and B taken together: it is spanned by the product kets |i⟩|j⟩ of basis kets of each part, so it has d_A d_B dimensions, and any superposition Σ cᵢⱼ|i⟩|j⟩ of them is a state. Use the supplied topic model Y_out = (200*(cosd(th1/2)*cosd(th2/2)*sind(th1/2)*sind(th2/2)+cosd(th1/2)*sind(th2/2)*sind(th1/2)*cosd(th2/2)))/100, where Y_out is ⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding) (dimensionless). The output symbol Y_out is distinct from all input symbols. ^ denotes a power; π = 3.141592653589793; sind/cosd/tand use degrees. th1 is Spin 1 polar angle θ₁, measured in °. Keep th2 (Spin 2 polar angle θ₂) = 150 ° fixed. For this exercise use only 283.95 ° ≤ th1 ≤ 321.75 ° on this continuous branch. A grid of test settings is an input restriction for this exercise, not by itself a claim of physical quantisation. This calculation retains the topic model's stated assumptions; it does not extend them to a different physical setup. A reading gives Y_out = -0.39927574, with a bounded reading uncertainty ±0.012897. Treat the model and all fixed inputs as exact for this exercise; the bound is not a standard deviation. First estimate the unknown th1 by straight-line interpolation between the two endpoint predictions. Then solve the actual model on the stated branch to an absolute input tolerance of 0.00378 °, using a numerical bracket if required. Find the full input interval consistent with the bounded reading uncertainty and compare it with a symmetric input-error assumption. Do not assume that the supplied calibration points prove monotonicity outside this branch.

Explore the question data

⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding) against th1

Predictions from the supplied Tensor-product spaces for two subsystems model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law.

Vertical axis (y): ⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding)

⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding) against th1Predictions from the supplied Tensor-product spaces for two subsystems model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law. Horizontal axis: th1: Spin 1 polar angle θ₁ / °. Vertical axis: ⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding). Exact values are available in the data table below.-0.4923-0.4448-0.3974-0.35-0.3025282.4292.6302.9313.1323.3xy

Horizontal axis (x): th1: Spin 1 polar angle θ₁ / °

Axes show the supplied calibration interval; the origin may lie outside the plot.

Reading 1th1: Spin 1 polar angle θ₁ / °: 283.9⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding): -0.4853
Read the exact data as a table
⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding) against th1 — supplied values
th1: Spin 1 polar angle θ₁ / °⟨σₓ ⊗ σₓ⟩ FROM THE COLUMN (before display rounding)
283.95-0.4852532367342713
293.4-0.4588773128419906
302.85-0.4200467769494708
312.3-0.36981554748930484
321.75-0.30954697465491715

These are the supplied values, not a worked answer. No fitted trend is drawn.

Show a hint

The model's endpoint predictions bracket the reading. Solve Y_out(th1) = Y_measured and then solve again at Y_measured − u and Y_measured + u; a nonlinear inverse can give unequal input deviations.

Reveal the worked solution
  1. Endpoint predictions are Y_out(283.95) = -0.485253 and Y_out(321.75) = -0.309547. The target lies between them. On the selected branch the response is strictly increasing.
  2. Endpoint interpolation gives th1_line = 283.95 + (-0.399276 − -0.485253)(321.75 − 283.95)/(-0.309547 − -0.485253) = 302.446 °. This estimates the inverse of the endpoint chord, rather than assuming that chord is the physical model.
  3. Use the actual equation, not the chord, and bracket its root. Evaluating the midpoint and retaining the sign-changing half-interval gives th1 = 307.008 °; substituting back gives Y_out = -0.39927574.
  4. The interpolation error in the input is |th1_line − th1| = 4.56151 °. This is larger than the requested numerical tolerance.
  5. Invert both limits Y_out = -0.41217274 and -0.38637874. Sort the roots even if the response decreases: 304.478 ° ≤ th1 ≤ 309.398 °.
  6. The lower and upper input deviations are 2.53019 ° and 2.38984 °. They differ because the inverse response is nonlinear; a symmetric error bar would only be a local approximation. This interval includes reading uncertainty only, not model error or uncertainty in fixed inputs.

Answer th1 ≈ 307.008 °; compatible interval [304.478, 309.398] °. Endpoint interpolation gives 302.446 °.

Compare the assumptions, method and units with your attempt. Explain any correction before trying another question.