Matrix Theory....showing that matrix is Unitary

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In summary, we are given an element $x$ in a certain space and a unit vector $C$ in the same space. We can write $x$ as the product of a scalar and a vector, and the scalar is chosen such that the first element of $x$ is nonnegative. We define a new vector $z$ by multiplying $x$ by a complex number of modulus 1. We are asked to show that a certain matrix $V$ is unitary, which means that its conjugate transpose multiplied by itself gives the identity matrix. This can be done by substituting known values into the matrix and simplifying.
  • #1
cylers89
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Let x be an element in space C be a given unit vector (x*x=1) and write x=[x,yT]T, where x1 is element in space C and y is element in Cn-1. Choose theta (element in space R) such that ei(theta)x1 greater than or equal to 0 and define z=ei(theta)x =[z1, BT]T, where z1 is element in R is non negative and B is element in Cn-1. Show that the matrix V is unitary.

V= [z1 B* ]
[B -I+((1)/(1+z1)) BB*]Can someone help me get off on the right foot?

I know that to show unitary, I can prove that VTV=I.
So I can do the VTV.

What I don't understand is how to implement what z= into my VTV. Would it be better to substitute in z1 in the beginning, or simplify VTV first, then plug in? Does (x*x=1) imply that it works for (B*B) as well?
 
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  • #2
cylers89 said:
Let $x$ be an element in space C be a given unit vector ($x^*x=1$) and write $x=[x_1,y^{\text{T}}]^{\text{T}}$, where $x_1$ is element in space $C$ and $y$ is element in $C^{n-1}$. Choose $\theta$ (element in space $\mathbb R$) such that $e^{i\theta}x_1$ greater than or equal to 0 and define $z=e^{i\theta}x =[z_1, B^{\text{T}}]^{\text{T}}$, where $z_1$ is element in $\mathbb R$ is non negative and $B$ is element in $C^{n-1}$. Show that the matrix $V$ is unitary.

$$V = \begin{bmatrix}z_1&B^* \\ B & -I + (1/(1+z_1))BB^* \end{bmatrix}$$

Can someone help me get off on the right foot?

I know that to show unitary, I can prove that $V^*V=I$.
So I can do the $V^*V$.

What I don't understand is how to implement what z= into my $V^*V$. Would it be better to substitute in $z_1$ in the beginning, or simplify $V^*V$ first, then plug in? Does $x*x=1$ imply that it works for $B^*B$ as well?
The condition $xx^*x = 1$ tells you that $|x_1|^2 + y^*y=1$. Since $z$ is obtained from $x$ by multiplying by a scalar of modulus 1, it follows that the analogous result holds for $z$, namely $z_1^2 + B^*B = 1$. Notice that in this case we do not need to put mod signs around $z_1$, because $z_1$ is real and nonnegative. Now compute $V^*V$, and then substitute $1-z_1^2$ for $B^*B.$ You should find that $V^*V$ is the identity matrix.
 
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  • #3
Okay, that makes sense. I do remember covering that in class. So I also know that BB*=(1-z1)(1+z1).

So for the matrix, after I multiply V*V...row1column1 easily is substituted to 1, since z12+B*B = 1.

Now I am getting tripped up on the canceling of row2column2 to 1.

The first one is: BB*+(-I+(1/1+z1)BB*)2
Substituting and squaring the binomial gets: (1-z12)+(I2-I+Iz1-I+Iz1+1-z1-z1+z12)
Combining like terms gives me: 2+I2-2I+2Iz1-2z1
This is where I am getting fuzzy...I cannot seem to figure out how to cancel this down to 1. It seems to overlap just enough that I am going in loops.

Now once I finish that part up, V*V will in fact be shown to be equal to the Identity matrix.

What does the directions mean by "choose theta in R such that ei(theta)x1 is greater than or equal to 0. and define z=ei(theta)x "...I'm not understanding what it is asking I guess.
 
  • #4
cylers89 said:
Okay, that makes sense. I do remember covering that in class. So I also know that BB*=(1-z1)(1+z1).

So for the matrix, after I multiply V*V...row1column1 easily is substituted to 1, since z12+B*B = 1.

Now I am getting tripped up on the canceling of row2column2 to 1.

The first one is: BB*+(-I+(1/1+z1)BB*)2
(I may have confused you in my previous comment by writing $BB^*$ where it should have been $B^*B$. I have edited it to correct that.)

Okay, so the (2,2)-element of your matrix is $$BB^* + \Bigl(-I + \tfrac1{1+z_1}BB^*\Bigr)^2 = BB^* + I - \tfrac2{1+z_1}BB^* + \tfrac1{(1+z_1)^2}B(B^*B)B^*.$$

Replace the $B^*B$ that I have bracketed in that last term by $1-z_1^2$, and you will see that the whole thing reduces to $I$, as required. In a similar way, the off-diagonal terms in the matrix are both 0.

cylers89 said:
What does the directions mean by "choose theta in R such that ei(theta)x1 is greater than or equal to 0. and define z=ei(theta)x "...I'm not understanding what it is asking I guess.
In this problem, $x_1$ is a complex number, and any complex number can be multiplied by a complex number of modulus 1 (that is, a number of the form $e^{i\theta}$) so as to become real and nonnegative. The point here is that the computation to show that $V$ is unitary relies on the fact the element in the top left corner of the matrix is real. So you need a construction that replaces $x_1$ by $z_1$ in order to make $V$ unitary.
 
  • #5


To show that the matrix V is unitary, we need to prove that VTV = I, where I is the identity matrix.

First, let's simplify VTV. We have:

VTV = [z1 B*] [z1 B]
[B -I+((1)/(1+z1)) BB*] [-I+((1)/(1+z1)) BB*]

= [z1^2 + BB* B*]
[B*z1 + (-I+((1)/(1+z1)) BB*)B]

= [z1^2 + B*B* B*]
[B*z1 - B*B* + ((1)/(1+z1)) B*B*]

= [z1^2 + B*B* B*]
[B*z1 + (-z1 + ((1)/(1+z1))) B*B*]

= [z1^2 + B*B* B*]
[B*z1 + ((1)/(1+z1)-z1) B*B*]

Next, we can use the given information that x is a unit vector (x*x = 1) to substitute in for z1. This gives us:

VTV = [(x1)^2 + B*B* B*]
[B*x1 + ((1)/(1+(x1)^2)-x1) B*B*]

Now, we can use the definition of z to substitute in for x1. This gives us:

VTV = [(z1)^2 + B*B* B*]
[B*z1 + ((1)/(1+z1)-z1) B*B*]

= [(z1)^2 + B*B* B*]
[B*z1 + ((1-z1^2)/(1+z1)) B*B*]

= [z1^2 + B*B* B*]
[B*z1 + ((1-z1^2)/(1+z1)) B*B*]

= [z1^2 + B*B* B*]
[((1+z1)^2/(1+z1)) B*B*]

= [z1^2 + B*B* B*]
[B*B*]

= [z1^2 + B*B* B*]


= [z1
 

FAQ: Matrix Theory....showing that matrix is Unitary

What is a unitary matrix?

A unitary matrix is a square matrix whose conjugate transpose is equal to its inverse. In other words, a unitary matrix is a matrix that, when multiplied by its conjugate transpose, yields an identity matrix.

Why is unitarity important in matrix theory?

Unitarity is important in matrix theory because it preserves the length of vectors and the angles between them. This makes it useful in applications such as quantum mechanics, signal processing, and linear algebra.

How do you show that a matrix is unitary?

To show that a matrix is unitary, you must first calculate its conjugate transpose. Then, multiply the matrix by its conjugate transpose and see if it equals the identity matrix. If it does, then the matrix is unitary.

What are the properties of a unitary matrix?

Some key properties of a unitary matrix include:

  • It is square and has the same number of rows and columns.
  • Its columns and rows are orthonormal.
  • It preserves the length of vectors and the angles between them.
  • Its determinant is a complex number with absolute value 1.

How is unitarity related to other matrix operations?

Unitarity is closely related to other matrix operations, such as the inverse and transpose. In fact, the inverse of a unitary matrix is its conjugate transpose, and the conjugate transpose of a unitary matrix is also unitary. Additionally, unitary matrices commute with each other and with Hermitian matrices.

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