Quantic superpositions and the geometry of complex Hilbert spaces

DOI10.1007/S10773-007-9576-YMaRDI QIDQ930236zbMATHOpenAlexFDO

Authors Daniel Lehmann

Publication date 23 June 2008

Published in International Journal of Theoretical Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0703056

zbMATH Keywords

Geometry of Hilbert spacesMeasurement algebrasQuantum logicQuantum measurementsSuperpositions in quantum mechanics

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations (81P15) Logical foundations of quantum mechanics; quantum logic (quantum-theoretic aspects) (81P10)

Abstract: The concept of a superposition is a revolutionary novelty introduced by Quantum Mechanics. If a system may be in any one of two pure states x and y, we must consider that it may also be in any one of many superpositions of x and y. An in-depth analysis of superpositions is proposed, in which states are represented by one-dimensional subspaces, not by unit vectors as in Dirac's notation. Superpositions must be considered when one cannot distinguish between possible paths, i.e., histories, leading to the current state of the system. In such a case the resulting state is some compound of the states that result from each of the possible paths. States can be compounded, i.e., superposed in such a way only if they are not orthogonal. Since different classical states are orthogonal, the claim implies no non-trivial superpositions can be observed in classical systems. The parameter that defines such compounds is a proportion defining the mix of the different states entering the compound. Two quantities, p and theta, both geometrical in nature, relate one-dimensional subspaces in complex Hilbert spaces: the first one is a measure of proximity relating two rays, the second one is an angle relating three rays. The properties of the operation of superposition are very different from those that govern linear combination of vectors.

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Cites work

• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 2244571 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3069465 (Why is no real title available?)
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Cited in

(8)

• Quantization and superselection sectors. III: Multiply connected spaces and indistinguishable particles.
• Observing the superposition of a single particle with the vacuum
• Quantum superposition principle and geometry
• Superluminal observers do not explain quantum superpositions
• Quantum jumps, superpositions, and the continuous evolution of quantum states
• Similarity-projection structures: The logical geometry of quantum physics
• Quantum superpositions and the representation of physical reality beyond measurement outcomes and mathematical structures
• Quantum superposition. Counterintuitive consequences of coherence, entanglement, and interference

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