 Relative quantum phase (source code)

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= Relative quantum phase
{title2=$\arg b-\arg a$}

= Relative phase
{synonym}

The phase difference between nonzero amplitudes in a specified basis, for example between $a$ and $b$ in $a|1\rangle+b|2\rangle$. Unlike a <global phase>, it affects <quantum interference> when the two basis components are recombined. It is encoded in the off-diagonal <density matrix> elements and depends on the phase convention for the basis states.

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