Weak value expansion of quantum operators and its application in stochastic matrices

Abstract

It is shown that any Hermitian operator can be expanded in terms of a set of operators formed from biorthogonal basis, and the expansion coefficients are given as products of weight functions and weak values, shedding a new light on the physical interpretation of the weak value. The utility of our approach is showcased with examples of spin one-half and spin one systems, where irreversible subset of stochastic matrices describing projective measurement on a mixed state is identified.