Recursive parameterisation and invariant phases of unitary matrices

Abstract

We present further properties of a previously proposed recursive scheme for parameterisation of n-by-n unitary matrices. We show that the factors in the recursive formula may be introduced in any desired order. The method is used to study the invariant phases of unitary matrices. The case of four-by-four unitary matrices is investigated in detail. We also address the question of how to construct symmetric unitary matrices using the recursive approach.