Computing a logarithm of a unitary matrix with general spectrum

DOI10.1002/NLA.1927zbMATH Open1340.65089arXiv1203.6151OpenAlexW3123715103MaRDI QIDQ2948083FDOQ2948083

Terry A. Loring

Publication date: 29 September 2015

Published in: Numerical Linear Algebra with Applications (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We analyze an algorithm for computing a skew-Hermitian logarithm of a unitary matrix. This algorithm is very easy to implement using standard software and it works well even for unitary matrices with no spectral conditions assumed. Certain examples, with many eigenvalues near -1, lead to very non-Hermitian output for other basic methods of calculating matrix logarithms. Altering the output of these algorithms to force an Hermitian output creates accuracy issues which are avoided in the considered algorithm. A modification is introduced to deal properly with the $J$-skew symmetric unitary matrices. Applications to numerical studies of topological insulators in two symmetry classes are discussed.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1203.6151

zbMATH Keywords

algorithmfunctional calculustopological insulatorsunitary matricesmatrix logarithmSchur decompositionnearly unitary matrixself-dual matricesskew-Hermitian logarithm

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Matrix exponential and similar functions of matrices (15A16) Orthogonal matrices (15B10) Numerical computation of matrix exponential and similar matrix functions (65F60)

Cites Work

• LAPACK Users' Guide
• Nineteen Dubious Ways to Compute the Exponential of a Matrix
• Eigenvalue distribution in the self-dual non-Hermitian ensemble
• A Schur-Parlett Algorithm for Computing Matrix Functions
• Topological insulators and \(C^{*}\)-algebras: theory and numerical practice
• Algorithm 923
• Bounds for iterates, inverses, spectral variation and fields of values of non-normal matrices
• Factorization of matrices of quaternions
• A Chart of Numerical Methods for Structured Eigenvalue Problems
• A parallel algorithm for computing the polar decomposition

Cited In (6)

• \texttt{QOptCraft}: a python package for the design and study of linear optical quantum systems
• General tracking control of arbitrary \(N\)-level quantum systems using piecewise time-independent potentials
• Computing Floquet Hamiltonians with symmetries
• Solving Large‐Scale Linear Systems of Equations by a Quantum Hybrid Algorithm
• Optimal approximation to unitary quantum operators with linear optics
• The Geometry of Speed Limiting Resources in Physical Models of Computation

Uses Software

• LAPACK
• Matlab
• Algorithm 923

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