Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-theoretical-physics-ii-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2012/paper-1/2/c/solution

A normalized pure state has , and therefore
Conversely, diagonalize a permissible density operator. Its eigenvalues obey and , so
Equality requires every eigenvalue to be zero or one; exactly one is one. Thus the idempotent matrix condition and purity one both characterize a pure state. A mixed state has at least two positive eigenvalues, and . In dimension its purity is at least .

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