Identity and difference: how topology helps to understand quantum indiscernibility

DOI10.1007/978-3-030-92690-8_21MaRDI QIDQ5049283zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Amaury Mouchet

Publication date 11 November 2022

Published in Imagine Math 8 (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/2111.03648

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Philosophy of mathematics (00A30) General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05)

Abstract: This contribution, to be published in Imagine Math 8 to celebrate Michele Emmer's 75th birthday, can be seen as the second part of my previous considerations on the relationships between topology and physics (Mouchet, 2018). Nevertheless, the present work can be read independently. The following mainly focusses on the connection between topology and quantum statistics. I will try to explain to the non specialist how Feynman's interpretation of quantum processes through interference of classical paths (path integrals formulation), makes the dichotomy between bosons and fermions quite natural in three spatial dimensions. In (effective) two dimensions, the recent experimental evidence of intermediate statistics (anyons) (Bartolomei et al. 2020) comfort that topology (of the braids) provides a fertile soil for our understanding of quantum particles.

Recommendations

• Geometrical meaning of braid statistics in \((1+1)\)- and \((2+1)\)- dimensional quantum field theory
• New kinds of quantum statistics
• Quantization and superselection sectors. III: Multiply connected spaces and indistinguishable particles.
• Weak discernibility for quanta, the right way
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1702951

Cites work

• Further Considerations on Electromagnetic Potentials in the Quantum Theory
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3008793 (Why is no real title available?)
• Imagine math 6. Between culture and mathematics
• Making sense of quantum mechanics
• Path integrals in a multiply-connected configuration space (50 years after)
• Quantised singularities in the electromagnetic field,
• Significance of Electromagnetic Potentials in the Quantum Theory
• Space-time approach to non-relativistic quantum mechanics
• The Refractive Index in Electron Optics and the Principles of Dynamics

This page was built for publication: Identity and difference: how topology helps to understand quantum indiscernibility

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q5049283)