Sequential products on effect algebras (Q1611477)

A measurement composed of two measurements represented by operation \(A,B\) is considered. The authors introduce axiomatically a more general notion of sequential product on an effect algebra and study its properties. The two elements \(A,B\) are called sequentially independent if \(A\circ B=B\circ A\). The relation between this property and compatibility is clarified. The sequential center is the set of elements which are sequentially independent to all other elements; it coincides with the set of sharp central elements. The case when the sequential center is isomorphic to a fuzzy set system is characterized. The existence of a sequential product appears to be a strong restriction. Boolean algebras are the only finite effect algebras admitting a sequential product. If a map preserves the sequential product then it completely preserves the effect algebra structure of the sharp elements. The existence of horizontal sums is characterized and some examples of horizontal sums and tensor products are given.