A new route toward orthogonality

We revisit the problem of determining conditions under which a pure state, that evolves under an arbitrary unitary transformation, reaches an orthogonal state in a finite amount of the transformation parameter. Simple geometric considerations disclose the existence of a fundamental limit for the minimal amount required, providing, in particular, an intuitive hint of the Mandelstam–Tamm bound. The geometric considerations leads us to focus on a particular, yet relevant, family of states that evolve toward orthogonality. Several dynamical features are discussed, which include the (relative) entropy production during transformation, and special attention is paid to multipartite systems of N bosons that are allowed to tunnel between two sites. The effects of the tunneling in the amount of transformation required for the system to attain an orthogonal state are revealed, and the relation between the latter, the tunneling intensity and the mode-entanglement is explored. (paper)