What is the notational convention for the single-qubit states $\lvert0\rangle\pm i\lvert1\rangle$?

The features of major search engines (looking at you, google!) prevent me from searching for an answer to this question, so I will poll the community here.

Is the state $$|{\pm} i\rangle$$ generally understood to mean $$|0\rangle \pm i|1\rangle$$, in the same way that $$|\pm\rangle$$ is generally understood to mean $$|0\rangle \pm |1\rangle$$, or should I define it in the paper I'm writing ?

• $\lvert L\rangle$ and $\lvert R\rangle$ are more commonly used to denote $\lvert0\rangle\pm i\lvert1\rangle$ – glS Jan 13 at 17:02
• @gIS: perhaps in your corner of the field --- I've never seen that notation before, though I have seen $\lvert \pm i \rangle$. – Niel de Beaudrap Jan 15 at 6:29

I’ve never seen that notation, and would expect to see it defined. Personally, I use circles with clockwise/anti-clockwise arrows, trying to conjure up a visual connection with the idea of circular polarisation. But, again, I’d define it before usage.

• Given the mixed nature of the response, I think this is the best answer. – psitae Jan 18 at 4:11

I think that most people would understand what you mean, although maybe mentioning they are the eigenstates of $$Y$$ wouldn't go amiss depending on your target audience.