An effect-theoretic reconstruction of quantum theory
From MaRDI portal
Publication:5087645
Abstract: An often used model for quantum theory is to associate to every physical system a C*-algebra. From a physical point of view it is unclear why operator algebras would form a good description of nature. In this paper, we find a set of physically meaningful assumptions such that any physical theory satisfying these assumptions must embed into the category of finite-dimensional C*-algebras. These assumptions were originally introduced in the setting of effectus theory, a categorical logical framework generalizing classical and quantum logic. As these assumptions have a physical interpretation, this motivates the usage of operator algebras as a model for quantum theory. In contrast to other reconstructions of quantum theory, we do not start with the framework of generalized probabilistic theories and instead use effect theories where no convex structure and no tensor product needs to be present. The lack of this structure in effectus theory has led to a different notion of pure maps. A map in an effectus is pure when it is a composition of a compression and a filter. These maps satisfy particular universal properties and respectively correspond to `forgetting' and `measuring' the validity of an effect. We define a pure effect theory (PET) to be an effect theory where the pure maps form a dagger-category and filters and compressions are adjoint. We show that any convex finite-dimensional PET must embed into the category of Euclidean Jordan algebras. Moreover, if the PET also has monoidal structure, then we show that it must embed into either the category of real or complex C*-algebras, which completes our reconstruction.
Recommendations
- A categorical reconstruction of quantum theory
- A computer scientist’s reconstruction of quantum theory*
- Local tomography and the role of the complex numbers in quantum mechanics
- Local tomography and the Jordan structure of quantum theory
- A shortcut from categorical quantum theory to convex operational theories
Cited in
(10)- A categorical reconstruction of quantum theory
- General probabilistic theories: an introduction
- A reconstruction of quantum mechanics
- A computer scientist’s reconstruction of quantum theory*
- Intermediate determinism in general probabilistic theories
- On characterising assemblages in Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen scenarios
- Spectrality in convex sequential effect algebras
- Sequential product spaces are Jordan algebras
- The CBH characterisation theorem beyond algebraic quantum theory
- Geometric and algebraic aspects of spectrality in order unit spaces: a comparison
This page was built for publication: An effect-theoretic reconstruction of quantum theory
Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q5087645)
