Uhlmann

Uhlmann is a German-language surname. It is found in German-speaking regions such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in communities abroad. The exact origin of the name is not definitively documented here, but it belongs to the class of German surnames formed with the suffix -mann, often arising from a personal name or nickname.

In the sciences, the name is associated with Armin Uhlmann, a physicist known for contributions to quantum information theory. A central concept linked to his work is Uhlmann’s theorem, which addresses the relationship between state fidelity and purifications in quantum mechanics.

Uhlmann’s theorem states, in essence, that the fidelity between two quantum states (represented by density operators) can be expressed as the maximum overlap between their purifications. This result provides a concrete operational meaning for the similarity of quantum states and has wide use in areas such as state discrimination, quantum tomography, and quantum computing.

Beyond this scientific association, Uhlmann appears as a surname in various historical and contemporary contexts within German-speaking regions and diaspora communities. Like many surnames of German origin, it is carried by individuals across diverse professions and fields.

See also: Uhlmann’s theorem; Uhlmann fidelity.