POVM: positive-operator-valued measure, also called generalized observable. A mathematical object, consisting of a family of operators on ► Hilbert space, that occurs in quantum theoretical formulas for the probability distribution of the random outcome of a quantum mechanical experiment. The concept of POVM contains, as a special case, that of ► observables represented by ► self-adjoint operators.
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Primary Literature
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Tumulka, R. (2009). POVM (Positive Operator Value Measure). In: Greenberger, D., Hentschel, K., Weinert, F. (eds) Compendium of Quantum Physics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-70626-7_147
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