Collapses and avoiding wave function spreading

DOI10.1007/S40509-014-0009-3zbMATH Open1304.81020arXiv1408.3097OpenAlexW2964304296MaRDI QIDQ482053FDOQ482053

Authors: Aharon Casher, Shmuel Nussinov, Jeff Tollaksen 

Publication date: 19 December 2014

Published in: Quantum Studies: Mathematics and Foundations (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We address the impossibility of achieving exact time reversal in a system with many degrees of freedom. This is a particular example of the difficult task of "aiming" an initial classical state so as to become a specific final state. We also comment on the classical-to-quantum transition in any non-separable closed system of $ngeq2$ degrees of freedom. Even if the system is initially in a well defined WKB, semi-classical state, quantum evolution and, in particular, multiple reflections at classical turning points make it completely quantum mechanical with each particle smeared almost uniformly over all the configuration space. The argument, which is presented in the context of $n$ hard discs, is quite general. Finally, we briefly address more complex quantum systems with many degrees of freedom and ask when can they provide an appropriate environment to the above simpler systems so that quantum spreading is avoided by continuously leaving "imprints" in the environment. We also discuss the possible connections with the pointer systems that are needed in the quantum-to-classical "collapse" transitions.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1408.3097

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zbMATH Keywords

time reversalclassical-to-quantum transitionquantum-to-classical ``collapse transitions

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations (81P15)

Cites Work

• Quantum Paradoxes
• Title not available (Why is that?)

Cited In (4)

• Wave function collapse equation maintains conservation laws with no new constants
• Quantum evolution leading to classicality: a concrete example
• Wave function shredding by sparse quantum barriers
• Macroscopic length correlations in non-equilibrium systems and their possible realizations

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