A parametrization of the density operator, a coherence vector representation, which uses a basis of orthogonal, traceless, Hermitian matrices is discussed. Using this parametrization we find the region of permissible vectors which represent a density operator. The inequalities which specify the region are shown to involve the Casimir invariants of the group. In particular cases, this allows the determination of degeneracies in the spectrum of the operator. The identification of the Casimir invariants also provides a method of constructing quantities which are invariant under local unitary operations. Several examples are given which illustrate the constraints provided by the positivity requirements and the utility of the coherence vector parametrization.

• Received 28 April 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.68.062322