Two-qubit analogs of octonions and projective planes

Abstract

A quantum spin-1/2, and its associated su(2) algebra of Pauli spin matrices are familiarly linked to Clifford algebra and quaternions. Somewhat more loosely, we develop connections between the su(4) algebra of two spins and of its sub-algebras, which are important throughout the field of quantum information, with octonions, the projective plane of seven elements, and entities in projective geometry and design theory called partial Steiner systems of 10 and 15 elements. Although not the exact correspondence between a single spin and quaternions, the close analogy between these geometrical objects and the 15 operators of a two-spin system may be useful to both projective geometry and quantum information.