Why is quantum physics based on complex numbers? (Q2500602)

Quantum states are defined in complex Hilbert spaces, and it has been shown by the author that a quantum theory based on a Galois field \(GF(p^2)\) is a natural generalization of classical quantum theory based on complex numbers. This being the case, one makes the assumption that any admissible linear operator representing a physical quantity should have a spectral decomposition. The paper proves that if the prime number \(p\) is equal to \(3 (\pmod 4)\), then the minimal extension of the finite field \(GF(p)\) containing \(p\) elements, for which there exists 10 linearly independent admissible representation operators, is the field \(GF(p^2)\) containing \(p^2\) elements. One discusses about hermiticity conditions when the irreductible representation is supplied by a scalar product. The spectrum of the \(M{04}\) operatori is carefully investigated