answersLogoWhite

0

Absolutely not.

They are rather quite different: hermitian matrices usually change the norm of vector while unitary ones do not (you can convince yourself by taking the spectral decomposition: eigenvalues of unitary operators are phase factors while an hermitian matrix has real numbers as eigenvalues so they modify the norm of vectors). So unitary matrices are good "maps" whiule hermitian ones are not.

If you think about it a little bit you will be able to demonstrate the following:

for every Hilbert space except C^2 a unitary matrix cannot be hermitian and vice versa.

For the particular case H=C^2 this is not true (e.g. Pauli matrices are hermitian and unitary).

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

Still curious? Ask our experts.

Chat with our AI personalities

JordanJordan
Looking for a career mentor? I've seen my fair share of shake-ups.
Chat with Jordan
FranFran
I've made my fair share of mistakes, and if I can help you avoid a few, I'd sure like to try.
Chat with Fran
JudyJudy
Simplicity is my specialty.
Chat with Judy

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Is every unitary matrix hermitian
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp