Fuzzy quantum logic II. The logics of unsharp quantum mechanics

A survey of the main results of the Italian group about the logics of unsharp quantum mechanics is presented. In particular partial ordered structures playing with respect to effect operators (linear bounded operatorsF on a Hilbert space such that, 0¦F²) the role played by orthomodular posets with respect to orthogonal projections (corresponding to sharp effects) are analyzed. These structures are generally characterized by the splitting of standard orthocomplementation on projectors into two nonusual orthocomplementations (afuzzy-like and anintuitionistic-like) giving rise to different kinds of Brouwer-Zadeh (BZ) posets: de Morgan BZ posets, BZ^* posets, and BZ³ posets. Physically relevant generalizations of ortho-pair semantics (paraconsistent, regular paraconsistent, and minimal quantum logics) are introduced and their relevance with respect to the logic of unsharp quantum mechanics are discussed.     

On the Role of Density Matrices in Bohmian Mechanics

It is well known that density matrices can be used in quantum mechanics to represent the information available to an observer about either a system with a random wave function (statistical mixture) or a system that is entangled with another system (reduced density matrix). We point out another role, previously unnoticed in the literature, that a density matrix can play: it can be the conditional density matrix, conditional on the configuration of the environment. A precise definition can be given in the context of Bohmian mechanics, whereas orthodox quantum mechanics is too vague to allow a sharp definition, except perhaps in special cases. In contrast to statistical and reduced density matrices, forming the conditional density matrix involves no averaging. In Bohmian mechanics with spin, the conditional density matrix replaces the notion of conditional wave function, as the object with the same dynamical significance as the wave function of a Bohmian system.PACS number:03.65.Ta (foundations of quantum mechanics)     

Relative compatibility and joint distributions of observables

The notion of relative compatibility of observables is treated and its relation to the existence of joint distributions is obtained. The case of conventional quantum mechanics is studied and a generalization to the case of the quantum logic approach to quantum mechanics is given. It is shown that relative compatibility is equivalent to the existence of so-called type 1 joint distributions.     

Logical anomalies of quantum objects. A survey

We discuss some aspects of the concept of object and objectuation as suggested by the articulation of modern physics. In particular we analyze the new ontological thickness of the notion ofobject in quantum mechanics and in relativistic quantum mechanics.At the end we try to formulate some modifications of the logical approach to quantum theory in order to grasp the new situation connected with relativistic quantum theory.     

Quantum logic of sequential events and their objectivistic probabilities

A propositional calculus for quantum mechanical systems is presented which formalizes sequential connectives and then and or then for yes-no experiments in the framework of complex Hilbert space. Properties of these connectives are compared with some well-known lattice-theoretical results in quantum logic. Probabilities and objectivization versus the Copenhagen interpretation are discussed in connection with Young's two-slit experiment.     

Quantum logics seen as quantum testability theories

We confute logical relativism and forward an alternative epistemological thesis according to which nonstandard truth-theories are considered theories of some metalinguistic concepts which do not coincide with truth, this latter concept being exhaustively described by Tarski's truth theory. We illustrate our viewpoint by showing that quantum logics can be interpreted as quantum physical theories of the metalinguistic concept of testability in the framework of a suitable classical language (with Tarskian semantics).     

Measurement: It ain't over till it's over

Elby (1993) has raised certain problems that appear to be devastating for modal interpretations of quantum mechanics, but do not arise for Bohm's pilot wave theory. Here I show that the features Elby identifies as objectionable in my version of the modal interpretation have their counterpart in Bohm's theory. To the extent that Bohm's theory works as a no collapse solution to the measurement problem - and I think it does - so does my modal interpretation.     

The modal interpretation of quantum mechanics and some of its relativistic aspects

The modal interpretation of quantum mechanics is an attempt to relate the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics to physical properties (beables,existents) in such a way that the property attribution reflects the mathematical structure as much as possible—no additional structure is superimposed on the quantum mechanical formalism. In this article the main features of the modal interpretation are explained and the question is discussed of how this interpretation deals with some well-known problems of quantum measurement theory (relativistic covariance and the question of whether or not there is superluminal causation).     

Superposition, Entropy and Schmidt Decomposition of States

Superposition and entropy are compared using the language of the logic of quantum mechanics. It is pointed out that a finite value of the relative quantum entropy of states implies a superposition relation between the states themselves. The superposition relation is then studied by comparing the pure state of the compound system with the product of the reduced states and an intermediate Schmidt state. All the corresponding relative quantum entropies are evaluated in terms of the Schmidt coefficients of the global pure state. Some of the results are extended in case the compound system is in a state represented by a general density operator.     

The Leibniz principle in quantum logic

The principle of the identity of indiscernibles (Leibniz Principle) is investigated within the framework of the formal language of quantum physics, which is given by an orthomodular lattice. We show that the validity of this principle is based on very strong preconditions (concerning the existence of convenient predicates) which are given in the language of classical physics but which cannot be fulfilled in orthomodular quantum logic.     

Why “modal” interpretations of quantum mechanics don't solve the measurement problem

According to modal interpretations of quantum mechanics, an observable Q can possess a definite value even when the quantum state is not an eigenstate of Q. In this paper, I discuss some interpretive difficulties faced by modal theorists. First, expanding upon Albert and Loewer, I identify two reasons why real-life measurements are never ideal, and I discuss why these considerations bode ill for modal interpretations. Second, I show that modal interpretations provide a less satisfactory explanation of interference effects than is provided by pilot-wave interpretations.     

On measurement and irreversible processes

The nature of physical measurements performed on microscopic systems is discussed, and it is suggested that the procedures which are conventionally referred to as measurements fall into at least three different categories. The connection between observation processes and irreversible processes is stressed. The customary quantum mechanical treatment of irreversible processes is discussed, and its deficiencies from the philosophical point of view are criticized. The standpoint that quantum mechanics should not be considered as a basic philosophical system but rather as an immensely useful tool is defended. Some attempts at developing a more basic theory are discussed, and a hypothesis is put forward concerning the role of entropy within some possible future nonlocal hidden-variable theory.     

Typed Quantum Logic

The aim of this paper was to lift traditional quantum logic to its higher order version with the help of a type-theoretic method. A higher order axiomatic system is defined explicitly and then a sound and complete class of models is given. This is an attempt to provide a quantum counterpart of classical set theory or intuitionistic topos.     

Abstract scattering theory

The asymptotic condition is formulated for a system whose theory is more general than quantum mechanics. Its logic forms an orthocomplemented weakly modular -lattice. The set of states , consisting of all the probability measures on , is endowed with the most suitable metric physically, called here the natural one. In this space it is proved that the asymptotic condition implies the existence of two convex automorphisms _+- of which we call the wave-automorphisms. From these theS-automorphism _– ^–1 ₊ is defined and corresponds to the scattering operator in conventional quantum theory.     

Subadditivity of states on quantum logics

We give various definitions of subadditivity of states on quantum logics and present several results stating when a quantum logic with sufficiently enough properly subadditive states has to be (almost) a Boolean algebra.     

Time reversal in classical and quantum mechanics

A review of Wigner's time reversal is presented and some important aspects are emphasized. The subject is introduced via classical mechanics. Non-physical statements as time running backwards are avoided. Comments are made on the roles of time and of the operatori(/t) in quantum mechanics. The role of symmetries and conservation laws and some properties of the time-reversed states are discussed.Work supported by Instituto Nacional de Investigação Científica, Portugal.     

The conceptual analysis (CA) method in theories of microchannels: Application to quantum theory. Part I. Fundamental concepts

A method is proposed that should facilitate the construction of theories of submicroscopic particles (denoted as theories of microchannels) in a way similar to the use of group-theoretical methods. The conceptual analysis (CA) method is based on the analysis of the basic concepts of a theory; it permits a determination of necessary conditions imposed on the mathematical apparatus (of the theory) which then appear as a mathematical representation of the structures obtained in a formal scheme of a theory. A pertinent conceptual analysis leads to a new definition (relativization) of the concept empirical implication. The approach may be characterized as realistic and operational. The application of the CA method is illustrated on the example of quantum theory. In Part I the algebraic structure of a partially ordered, up-ward directed, bounded set is deduced from the rudimentary concepts. In Parts II and III, we shall deduce the Hilbert-space structure (well established in quantum mechanics) from postulates on some essential idealizations accepted in the theory. Whereas Part II is concerned with the idealizations of existing quantum theories based on the Hilbert-space formalism, Part I may be considered as a general basis for a wider class of theories.Dedicated to Prof. G. Ludwig on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

The nonrelativistic Schrödinger equation in “quasi-classical” theory

The author has recently proposed a quasi-classical theory of particles and interactions in which particles are pictured as extended periodic disturbances in a universal field (x, t), interacting with each other via nonlinearity in the equation of motion for . The present paper explores the relationship of this theory to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics; as a first step, it is shown how it is possible to construct from a configuration-space wave function (x ₁,x ₂,t), and that the theory requires that satisfy the two-particle Schrödinger equation in the case where the two particles are well separated from each other. This suggests that the multiparticle Schrödinger equation can be obtained as a direct consequence of the quasi-classical theory without any use of the usual formalism (Hilbert space, quantization rules, etc.) of conventional quantum theory and in particular without using the classical canonical treatment of a system as a crutch theory which has subsequently to be quantized. The quasi-classical theory also suggests the existence of a preferred absolute gauge for the electromagnetic potentials.     

Absolute Spacetime: The Twentieth Century Ether

All gauge theories need somethingfixed even as something changes.Underlying the implementation of these ideas all majorphysical theories make indispensable use of anelaborately designed spacetime model as the something fixed,i.e., absolute. This model must provide at least thefollowing sequence of structures: point set, topologicalspace, smooth manifold, geometric manifold, base forvarious bundles. The fine structure ofspacetime inherent in this sequence is of courseempirically unobservable directly, certainly whenquantum mechanics is taken into account. This issue isat the basis of the difficulties in quantizing generalrelativity and has been approached in many differentways. Here we review an approach taking into account thenon-Boolean properties of quantum logic when forming a spacetime model. Finally, we recall how thefundamental gauge of diffeomorphisms (the issue ofgeneral covariance vs. coordinate conditions) raiseddeep conceptual problems for Einstein in his earlydevelopment of general relativity. This is clearlyillustrated in the notorious holeargument. This scenario, which does not seem to bewidely known to practicing relativists, is neverthelessstill interesting in terms of its impact for fundamental gaugeissues.