dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaDecoherence, irreversibility and the selection by decoherence of quantum states with definite probabilities
| Authors | Roland Omnes |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | quant-ph/0304100 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0304100 |
| DOI | 10.1103/PhysRevA.65.052119 |
| Journal | Phys. Rev. A65 (2002) 052119-137 |
Abstract
The problem investigated in this paper is einselection, i. e. the selection of mutually exclusive quantum states with definite probabilities through decoherence. Its study is based on a theory of decoherence resulting from the projection method in the quantum theory of irreversible processes, which is general enough for giving reliable predictions. This approach leads to a definition (or redefinition) of the coupling with the environment involving only fluctuations. The range of application of perturbation calculus is then wide, resulting in a rather general master equation. Two distinct cases of decoherence are then found: (i) A ``degenerate'' case (already encountered with solvable models) where decoherence amounts essentially to approximate diagonalization; (ii) A general case where the einselected states are essentially classical. They are mixed states. Their density operators are proportional to microlocal projection operators (or ``quasi projectors'') which were previously introduced in the quantum expression of classical properties. It is found at various places that the main limitation in our understanding of decoherence is the lack of a systematic method for constructing collective observables.
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"abstract": "The problem investigated in this paper is einselection, i. e. the selection\nof mutually exclusive quantum states with definite probabilities through\ndecoherence. Its study is based on a theory of decoherence resulting from the\nprojection method in the quantum theory of irreversible processes, which is\ngeneral enough for giving reliable predictions. This approach leads to a\ndefinition (or redefinition) of the coupling with the environment involving\nonly fluctuations. The range of application of perturbation calculus is then\nwide, resulting in a rather general master equation.\n Two distinct cases of decoherence are then found: (i) A ``degenerate\u0027\u0027 case\n(already encountered with solvable models) where decoherence amounts\nessentially to approximate diagonalization; (ii) A general case where the\neinselected states are essentially classical. They are mixed states. Their\ndensity operators are proportional to microlocal projection operators (or\n``quasi projectors\u0027\u0027) which were previously introduced in the quantum\nexpression of classical properties.\n It is found at various places that the main limitation in our understanding\nof decoherence is the lack of a systematic method for constructing collective\nobservables.",
"arxiv_id": "quant-ph/0304100",
"authors": [
"Roland Omnes"
],
"categories": [
"quant-ph"
],
"doi": "10.1103/PhysRevA.65.052119",
"journal_ref": "Phys. Rev. A65 (2002) 052119-137",
"title": "Decoherence, irreversibility and the selection by decoherence of quantum states with definite probabilities",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0304100"
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