The quantum mechanical arrows of time

DOI10.1007/978-88-470-5217-8_8MaRDI QIDQ2873355zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors J. B. Hartle

Publication date 24 January 2014

Published in Quantum Theory: A Two-Time Success Story (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/1301.2844

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05)

Abstract: The familiar textbook quantum mechanics of laboratory measurements incorporates a quantum mechanical arrow of time --- the direction in time in which state vector reduction operates. This arrow is usually assumed to coincide with the direction of the thermodynamic arrow of the quasiclassical realm of everyday experience. But in the more general context of cosmology we seek an explanation of all observed arrows, and the relations between them, in terms of the conditions that specify our particular universe. This paper investigates quantum mechanical and thermodynamic arrows in a time-neutral formulation of quantum mechanics for a number of model cosmologies in fixed background spacetimes. We find that a general universe may not have well defined arrows of either kind. When arrows are emergent they need not point in the same direction over the whole of spacetime. Rather they may be local, pointing in different directions in different spacetime regions. Local arrows can therefore be consistent with global time symmetry.

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Cited in

(20)

• A microscopic Liouville arrow of time
• Arrow of time in rigged Hilbert space quantum mechanics
• The universal arrow of time
• Causality in quantum mechanics
• The preparation-registration arrow of time in quantum mechanics
• Arrow of time in string theory
• Time-reversal, irreversibility and arrow of time in quantum mechanics
• Two-dimensional quantum cosmology: directions of dynamical and thermodynamic arrows of time
• The thermodynamic arrow-of-time and quantum mechanics
• The generic nature of the global and non-entropic arrow of time and the dual role of the energy–momentum tensor
• FISHER'S ARROW OF "TIME" IN COSMOLOGICAL COHERENT PHASE SPACE
• The global thermodynamic arrow of time
• Opposite arrows of time can reconcile relativity and nonlocality
• Quantum Solution to the Arrow-of-Time Dilemma
• The Direction of Time in Quantum Mechanics
• A tale of two arrows
• Arrow of time and quantum physics
• Influence of the future
• Towards a unitary formulation of quantum field theory in curved space-time: the case of the Schwarzschild black hole
• Two-way thermodynamics: could it really happen?

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