Multiple-quantum operator algebra spaces and description for unitary time evolution of multilevel spin systems

Abstract

A general operator algebra formalism is proposed for describing the unitary time evolution of multilevel spin systems. The time-evolutional propagator of a multilevel spin system is decomposed completely into a product of a series of elementary propagators. Then the unitary time evolution of the system can be determined exactly through the decomposed propagator. This decomposition may be simplified with the help of the properties of the finite dimensional Liouville operator space and of its three operator subspaces, and the operator algebra structure of spin Hamiltonian of the system. The Liouville operator space contains the even-order multiple-quantum, the zero-quantum, and the longitudinal magnetization and spin order operator subspace, and moreover, each former subspace contains its following subspaces. The propagator can be decomposed readily and completely for a spin system whose Hamiltonian is a member of the longitudinal magnetization and spin order operator subspace. If the Hamiltonian of a spin system is a zero-quantum operator this decomposition may be implemented by making a zero-quantum unitary transformation on the Hamiltonian to convert it into the diagonalized Hamiltonian, while if the Hamiltonian is an even-order multiple-quantum operator the decomposition may be carried out by diagonalizing the Hamiltonian with an even-order multiple-quantum unitary transformation. When the Hamiltonian is a member of the Liouville operator space but not any element of its three subspaces the decomposition may be achieved first by making an odd-order multiple-quantum and then an even-order multiple-quantum unitary transformation to convert it into the diagonalized Hamiltonian. Parameter equations to determine the unknown parameters in the decomposed propagator are derived for the general case and approaches to solve the equations are proposed.