Complete characterization of post-selected quantum statistics using weak measurement tomography

The reconstruction of quantum states from a sufficient set of experimental data can be achieved with arbitrarily weak measurement interactions. Since such weak measurements have negligible back action, the quantum state reconstruction is also valid for the postselected subensembles usually considered in weak measurement paradoxes. It is shown that postselection can then be identified with a statistical decomposition of the initial density matrix into transient density matrices conditioned by the anticipated measurement outcomes. This result indicates that it is possible to ascribe the properties determined by the final measurement outcome to each individual quantum system before the measurement has taken place. The collapse of the pure state wave function in a measurement can then be understood in terms of the classical collapse of a probability distribution as new information becomes available. ©2010 The American Physical Society