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I have the following equation : $ \tilde{B} = U B U^{\dagger} $

I also know both $ B $ and $ \tilde{B} $ , I just want to find the matrix U, that gives me the transformation. I tried using LinearSolve, but I can't get it into the form required by that function. Is there another way to do that?

I must note that the condition that U be Unitary is ESSENTIAL. I make this remark because of the interesting solutions proposed below, none of which, however, gives a unitary matrix U.

Edit: If it is of any help, the two matrices B and $ \tilde B $ are two quantum density matrices.

Edit2: I also added the two matrices here: http://pastebin.com/s3B1T0HD

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  • $\begingroup$ If $\mathbf B$ is normal and similar to $\tilde{\mathbf B}$, then it's actually quite easy... $\endgroup$ Nov 3, 2015 at 11:17
  • $\begingroup$ How big are these matrices? $\endgroup$ Nov 4, 2015 at 12:12
  • $\begingroup$ smallest is 16x16. the largest case I want to test is 64x64. $\endgroup$
    – PhysNerd90
    Nov 4, 2015 at 12:14
  • $\begingroup$ Okay, let me give you something to try on your smallest case: apply Chop[SchurDecomposition[mat, RealBlockDiagonalForm -> False]] to both of your matrices, and check if the triangular (diagonal?) matrices produced are the same (up to roundoff and permutation). We can proceed after you do this. $\endgroup$ Nov 4, 2015 at 12:19
  • $\begingroup$ This gives me a matrix of vectors, every element is a column vector. The two matrices are also very different (no 2 elements are equal). $\endgroup$
    – PhysNerd90
    Nov 4, 2015 at 12:23

2 Answers 2

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For normal matrices:

Find the unitary matrices $P$ and $S$ that diagonalize $\tilde{B}$ and $B$.

$D=P^{-1}\tilde{B}P\\ D'=S^{-1}BS\\ \tilde{B}=PS^{-1}BSP^{-1}\\ => U=PS^{-1}$

B1 = {{2, 1}, {-1, -1}};
B2 = {{-2, 5}, {-1, 3}};

P = Transpose@Eigenvectors@B1;
S = Transpose@Eigenvectors@B2;
U = P.Inverse@S;

B1 == Simplify[U.B2.Inverse@U]

True

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  • $\begingroup$ Alternatively, one could use SchurDecomposition[] to generate the required unitary matrices. Though, this solution assumes $\mathbf B$ and $\tilde{\mathbf B}$ are similar, of course. $\endgroup$ Nov 3, 2015 at 11:28
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    $\begingroup$ @paw: The procedure is not valid in general because B and B~ might be such that they cannot be diagonalized. Example $ B $ = {{0,1},{0,0}}, $ \tilde{B} $ = {{0,0},{-1,0}} and U = {{0,1},{-1,0}} $\endgroup$ Nov 4, 2015 at 6:30
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    $\begingroup$ @paw: the OP asks for a unitary matrix U. Your U is not unitary. Also in the final comparision you should use $ U^{\dagger} $ rather than $ U^{-1} $, i.e. you missed a transposition. Hence I would reject your answer. $\endgroup$ Nov 4, 2015 at 6:45
  • $\begingroup$ @ J.M. Despite of my comments I see another upvoting and the acceptance of the answer, without further discussion. Can somebody please explain this to me? $\endgroup$ Nov 4, 2015 at 8:36
  • $\begingroup$ Now I have tried the above, it does NOT give me a unitary matrix U. Does anyone have any other suggestion? I have to say that IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT U BE A UNITARY MATRIX. $\endgroup$
    – PhysNerd90
    Nov 4, 2015 at 10:57
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The eigenvectors space of a normal matrix are orthogonal. So in this case you can use Orthogonalize to get a set of orthogonal eigenvectors.

H = {{1, 1 + I}, {1 - I, 1}};
{Lambda, SA} = Eigensystem[H]
UA = Orthogonalize[SA]
UAT = Transpose[UA];
DiagonalMatrix[Lambda] == ConjugateTranspose[UAT].H.UAT
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