Quantic superpositions and the geometry of complex Hilbert spaces

DOI10.1007/S10773-007-9576-YzbMATH Open1140.81315arXivquant-ph/0703056OpenAlexW1963537462MaRDI QIDQ930236FDOQ930236

Authors: Daniel Lehmann 

Publication date: 23 June 2008

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

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.

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

Recommendations

• Quantum superpositions and the representation of physical reality beyond measurement outcomes and mathematical structures
• Interference of quantum states and superposition principle in probability representation of quantum mechanics
• Quantum superposition principle and geometry
• Superposition states through correlations of the second kind
• A coherent superposition principle and the Hilbertian quantum theory

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)

Cites Work

• The logic of quantum mechanics
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Algebras of measurements: the logical structure of quantum mechanics
• Title not available (Why is that?)

Cited In (7)

• Quantization and superselection sectors. III: Multiply connected spaces and indistinguishable particles.
• Quantum superposition. Counterintuitive consequences of coherence, entanglement, and interference
• Quantum superposition principle and geometry
• Similarity-projection structures: The logical geometry of quantum physics
• Observing the superposition of a single particle with the vacuum
• Quantum superpositions and the representation of physical reality beyond measurement outcomes and mathematical structures
• Quantum jumps, superpositions, and the continuous evolution of quantum states

This page was built for publication: Quantic superpositions and the geometry of complex Hilbert spaces

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q930236)