Hermitian adjoint
Encyclopedia
In mathematics
, specifically in functional analysis
, each linear operator on a Hilbert space
has a corresponding adjoint operator.
Adjoints of operators generalize conjugate transpose
s of square matrices to (possibly) infinite-dimensional situations. If one thinks of operators on a Hilbert space as "generalized complex numbers", then the adjoint of an operator plays the role of the complex conjugate
of a complex number.
The adjoint of an operator A is also sometimes called the Hermitian conjugate (after Charles Hermite
) of A and is denoted by A* or A† (the latter especially when used in conjunction with the bra-ket notation
).
, with inner product
. Consider a continuous linear operator A : H → H (this is the same as a bounded operator
).
Using the Riesz representation theorem
, one can show that there exists a unique continuous linear operator
A* : H → H with the following property:
This operator A* is the adjoint of A.This can be seen as a generalization of the adjoint matrix of a square matrix which has a similar property involving the standard complex inner product.
If we define the operator norm
of A by
then
.
Moreover,
The set of bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space H together with the adjoint operation and the operator norm form the prototype of a C* algebra.
The relationship between the image of
and the kernel of its adjoint is given by:
Proof of the first equation:
The second equation follows from the first by taking the orthogonal space on both sides. Note that in general, the image need not be closed, but the kernel of a continuous operator always is.
if
which is equivalent to
In some sense, these operators play the role of the real numbers (being equal to their own "complex conjugate"). They serve as the model of real-valued observable
s in quantum mechanics
. See the article on self-adjoint operator
s for a full treatment.
of a Hilbert space. In this situation, one may still define an adjoint, as is explained in the articles on self-adjoint operator
s and unbounded operator
s.
with the property:
is formally similar to the defining properties of pairs of adjoint functors in category theory
, and this is where adjoint functors got their name.
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, specifically in functional analysis
Functional analysis
Functional analysis is a branch of mathematical analysis, the core of which is formed by the study of vector spaces endowed with some kind of limit-related structure and the linear operators acting upon these spaces and respecting these structures in a suitable sense...
, each linear operator on a Hilbert space
Hilbert space
The mathematical concept of a Hilbert space, named after David Hilbert, generalizes the notion of Euclidean space. It extends the methods of vector algebra and calculus from the two-dimensional Euclidean plane and three-dimensional space to spaces with any finite or infinite number of dimensions...
has a corresponding adjoint operator.
Adjoints of operators generalize conjugate transpose
Conjugate transpose
In mathematics, the conjugate transpose, Hermitian transpose, Hermitian conjugate, or adjoint matrix of an m-by-n matrix A with complex entries is the n-by-m matrix A* obtained from A by taking the transpose and then taking the complex conjugate of each entry...
s of square matrices to (possibly) infinite-dimensional situations. If one thinks of operators on a Hilbert space as "generalized complex numbers", then the adjoint of an operator plays the role of the complex conjugate
Complex conjugate
In mathematics, complex conjugates are a pair of complex numbers, both having the same real part, but with imaginary parts of equal magnitude and opposite signs...
of a complex number.
The adjoint of an operator A is also sometimes called the Hermitian conjugate (after Charles Hermite
Charles Hermite
Charles Hermite was a French mathematician who did research on number theory, quadratic forms, invariant theory, orthogonal polynomials, elliptic functions, and algebra....
) of A and is denoted by A* or A† (the latter especially when used in conjunction with the bra-ket notation
Bra-ket notation
Bra-ket notation is a standard notation for describing quantum states in the theory of quantum mechanics composed of angle brackets and vertical bars. It can also be used to denote abstract vectors and linear functionals in mathematics...
).
Definition for bounded operators
Suppose H is a Hilbert spaceHilbert space
The mathematical concept of a Hilbert space, named after David Hilbert, generalizes the notion of Euclidean space. It extends the methods of vector algebra and calculus from the two-dimensional Euclidean plane and three-dimensional space to spaces with any finite or infinite number of dimensions...
, with inner product
. Consider a continuous linear operator A : H → H (this is the same as a bounded operatorBounded operator
In functional analysis, a branch of mathematics, a bounded linear operator is a linear transformation L between normed vector spaces X and Y for which the ratio of the norm of L to that of v is bounded by the same number, over all non-zero vectors v in X...
).
Using the Riesz representation theorem
Riesz representation theorem
There are several well-known theorems in functional analysis known as the Riesz representation theorem. They are named in honour of Frigyes Riesz.- The Hilbert space representation theorem :...
, one can show that there exists a unique continuous linear operator
A* : H → H with the following property:
This operator A* is the adjoint of A.This can be seen as a generalization of the adjoint matrix of a square matrix which has a similar property involving the standard complex inner product.
Properties
Immediate properties:- A** = A
- If A is invertible, then so is A*, with (A*)−1 = (A−1)*
- (A + B)* = A* + B*
- (λA)* = λ* A*, where λ* denotes the complex conjugateComplex conjugateIn mathematics, complex conjugates are a pair of complex numbers, both having the same real part, but with imaginary parts of equal magnitude and opposite signs...
of the complex numberComplex numberA complex number is a number consisting of a real part and an imaginary part. Complex numbers extend the idea of the one-dimensional number line to the two-dimensional complex plane by using the number line for the real part and adding a vertical axis to plot the imaginary part...
λ - (AB)* = B*A*
If we define the operator norm
Operator norm
In mathematics, the operator norm is a means to measure the "size" of certain linear operators. Formally, it is a norm defined on the space of bounded linear operators between two given normed vector spaces.- Introduction and definition :...
of A by
then
.Moreover,
The set of bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space H together with the adjoint operation and the operator norm form the prototype of a C* algebra.
The relationship between the image of
and the kernel of its adjoint is given by:Proof of the first equation:
The second equation follows from the first by taking the orthogonal space on both sides. Note that in general, the image need not be closed, but the kernel of a continuous operator always is.
Hermitian operators
A bounded operator A : H → H is called Hermitian or self-adjointSelf-adjoint
In mathematics, an element x of a star-algebra is self-adjoint if x^*=x.A collection C of elements of a star-algebra is self-adjoint if it is closed under the involution operation...
if
which is equivalent to
In some sense, these operators play the role of the real numbers (being equal to their own "complex conjugate"). They serve as the model of real-valued observable
Observable
In physics, particularly in quantum physics, a system observable is a property of the system state that can be determined by some sequence of physical operations. For example, these operations might involve submitting the system to various electromagnetic fields and eventually reading a value off...
s in quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
. See the article on self-adjoint operator
Self-adjoint operator
In mathematics, on a finite-dimensional inner product space, a self-adjoint operator is an operator that is its own adjoint, or, equivalently, one whose matrix is Hermitian, where a Hermitian matrix is one which is equal to its own conjugate transpose...
s for a full treatment.
Adjoints of unbounded operators
Many operators of importance are not continuous and are only defined on a subspaceSubspace
-In mathematics:* Euclidean subspace, in linear algebra, a set of vectors in n-dimensional Euclidean space that is closed under addition and scalar multiplication...
of a Hilbert space. In this situation, one may still define an adjoint, as is explained in the articles on self-adjoint operator
Self-adjoint operator
In mathematics, on a finite-dimensional inner product space, a self-adjoint operator is an operator that is its own adjoint, or, equivalently, one whose matrix is Hermitian, where a Hermitian matrix is one which is equal to its own conjugate transpose...
s and unbounded operator
Unbounded operator
In mathematics, more specifically functional analysis and operator theory, the notion of unbounded operator provides an abstract framework for dealing with differential operators, unbounded observables in quantum mechanics, and other cases....
s.
Adjoints of antilinear operators
For an antilinear operator the definition of adjoint need to be adjusted in order to compensate for the complex conjugation. An adjoint operator of the antilinear operator A on a Hilbert space H is an antilinear operator A* : H → Hwith the property:
Other adjoints
The equation
is formally similar to the defining properties of pairs of adjoint functors in category theory
Category theory
Category theory is an area of study in mathematics that examines in an abstract way the properties of particular mathematical concepts, by formalising them as collections of objects and arrows , where these collections satisfy certain basic conditions...
, and this is where adjoint functors got their name.
See also
- Mathematical concepts
- Linear algebraLinear algebraLinear algebra is a branch of mathematics that studies vector spaces, also called linear spaces, along with linear functions that input one vector and output another. Such functions are called linear maps and can be represented by matrices if a basis is given. Thus matrix theory is often...
- Inner product
- Hilbert spaceHilbert spaceThe mathematical concept of a Hilbert space, named after David Hilbert, generalizes the notion of Euclidean space. It extends the methods of vector algebra and calculus from the two-dimensional Euclidean plane and three-dimensional space to spaces with any finite or infinite number of dimensions...
- Hermitian operator
- NormNorm (mathematics)In linear algebra, functional analysis and related areas of mathematics, a norm is a function that assigns a strictly positive length or size to all vectors in a vector space, other than the zero vector...
- Operator normOperator normIn mathematics, the operator norm is a means to measure the "size" of certain linear operators. Formally, it is a norm defined on the space of bounded linear operators between two given normed vector spaces.- Introduction and definition :...
- Transpose of linear maps
- Linear algebra
- Physical applications
- Dual spaceDual spaceIn mathematics, any vector space, V, has a corresponding dual vector space consisting of all linear functionals on V. Dual vector spaces defined on finite-dimensional vector spaces can be used for defining tensors which are studied in tensor algebra...
- Bra-ket notationBra-ket notationBra-ket notation is a standard notation for describing quantum states in the theory of quantum mechanics composed of angle brackets and vertical bars. It can also be used to denote abstract vectors and linear functionals in mathematics...
- Quantum mechanicsQuantum mechanicsQuantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
- ObservableObservableIn physics, particularly in quantum physics, a system observable is a property of the system state that can be determined by some sequence of physical operations. For example, these operations might involve submitting the system to various electromagnetic fields and eventually reading a value off...
s
- Dual space