Collapses and avoiding wave function spreading

DOI10.1007/S40509-014-0009-3MaRDI QIDQ482053zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Aharon Casher, Shmuel Nussinov, Jeff Tollaksen

Publication date 19 December 2014

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

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

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)

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.

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Cites work

• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3854015 (Why is no real title available?)
• Quantum Paradoxes

Cited in

(4)

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

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