Decoherent histories and realism

DOI10.1023/A:1018647510799MaRDI QIDQ1976763zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Angelo Bassi, Giancarlo Ghirardi

Publication date 2 April 2003

Published in Journal of Statistical Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/9912031

zbMATH Keywords

decoherent historiesinterpretation of quantum mechanicsprobabilities and truth values

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05)

Abstract: We reconsider the Decoherent Histories approach to Quantum Mechanics and we analyze some problems related to its interpretation which, according to us, have not been adequately clarified by its proponents. We put forward some assumptions which, in our opinion, are necessary for a realistic interpretation of the probabilities that the formalism attaches to decoherent histories. We prove that such assumptions, unless one limits the set of the decoherent families which can be taken into account, lead to a logical contradiction. The line of reasoning we will follow is conceptually different from other arguments which have been presented and which have been rejected by the supporters of the Decoherent Histories approach. The conclusion is that the Decoherent Histories approach, to be considered as an interesting realistic alternative to the orthodox interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, requires the identification of a mathematically precise criterion to characterize an appropriate set of decoherent families which does not give rise to any problem.

Review text

The decoherent histories approach to quantum mechanics is critically reviewed especially in connection with interpretational problems. The paper is divided into two main sections: in the first the decoherent histories approach is presented in some detail, focusing on its logical structure; in the second the question of the nature of the probabilities in the approach is considered. It is shown in particular that assumptions, necessary in the author's viewpoint for a realistic interpretation of the probabilities that the formalism attaches to decoherent histories, lead to a logical contradiction in the theory, unless one limits the set of the decoherent families which can be taken into account. It is stressed how a mathematically precise criterion needed in order to characterize an appropriate set of decoherent families, which are physically meaningful and not leading to any contradiction, is still missing. See also the ensuing comment by \textit{R. B. Griffiths} [J. Stat. Phys. 99, No. 5-6, 1409-1425 (2000; Zbl 1010.81501)] and related reply by the authors [J. Stat. Phys. 99, No. 5-6, 1427 (2000; Zbl 1010.81500)].

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