Kirkwood-Dirac classical states based on discrete Fourier transform: Representation with directed graph

TL;DR

This paper characterizes the structure of Kirkwood-Dirac classical states using discrete Fourier transforms and directed graphs, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding their convex and pure state properties in quantum systems.

Contribution

It introduces a graph-based method to characterize KD-classical pure states and proves the convex hull property in p^r-dimensional Hilbert spaces, extending previous results.

Findings

KD-classical states form a convex hull of pure states

Directed graph characterization of pure states

Generalizes existing theorems to arbitrary dimensions

Abstract

The Kirkwood-Dirac (KD) quasiprobability distribution is a fundamental representation for quantum states and has been widely applied in quantum metrology, quantum chaos, weak values in recent years. A quantum state is KD-classical if its KD-quasiprobability distribution forms a valid classical probability distribution with respect to two given bases, and KD-nonclassical otherwise, with the latter being closely associated with quantum advantages in various quantum processes. In this work, we investigate the structural characteristics of the KD-classical state set when the transition matrix between two orthonormal bases takes the form of a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) matrix. First, we adopt an alternative analytical approach to prove that the set of KD-classical states in a $p^r$-dimensional Hilbert space is the convex hull of KD-classical pure states--a conclusion that was recently established by De Bi{\`e}vre et al [Annales Henri Poincar{\'e}, 1-20, 2025]. Furthermore, we define a directed graph and use it to characterize KD-classical pure states in a Hilbert space of arbitrary dimension $d$. That is, the convex hull of KD-classical pure states along any path from the start vertex to the end vertex in this directed graph is exactly the intersection of the KD-classical state set and the linear space spanned by these path-associated KD-classical pure states. This general result not only yields the $p^r$-dimensional conclusion in a straightforward manner but also encompasses Theorem 2 in the existing work [J. Phys. A, 57, 435303, 2024], demonstrating its generality and inclusiveness.