Faux-boolean algebras,classical probability,and determinism

It is possible to define, for any quantum system, an algebra of definite-valued events—those events that are definitely occurrent or non-occurrent. It is shown that two different sets of constraints on the algebra of definite-valued events are each equivalent to the definition of that set as a certain pseudo-Boolean algebra.     

On classical models of Spin

We discuss two classical situations that lead to probabilities characteristic for systems with spin-1/2. (a) Pitowsky model: It is demonstrated that the definition of spin functions does not imply which circle (a parallel or a great circle) on the sphere should be taken as a probability space in calculation of conditional probabilities. Pitowsky's choice of parallels must be formulated as an assumption about the model. It is shown that the model explicitly avoiding this difficulty is possible and no contradiction with the Bell Theorem is found. The modification is based on a new pathological decomposition of the sphere and belongs to a class of hidden variable theories with undetected signals. (b) Aerts model: We show the importance of the polarization effect of the measurements for the sake of obtaining a non-Kolmogorovian probability model. It is also shown that the conditioning by a change of state leads in general to the non-Kolmogorovian probability calculus.2. For example, let _{Cw,z xCw,z}µ_c ({y C _w,z S ₊|(x,y) /2})=µ _c(C _w,z S ₊)= 1/2µ _c(C _w,z). Pitowsky spheres with white points distributed onC _w,z in this way exist. The proof is exactly analogous to this of Theorem 1 in [1]. Then (**) = 1 -/, if one takesC _w,z as the probability space. This example seems very instructive.3. If the chargeq falls down on some point then it clearly has not fallen down on another one. Having given a result of a measurement we cannot, within the model with polarization, talk in a sensible way about its alternative: We can think either aboutsuccessive measurements (then the Bell inequality is not derivable) or ask What would have happened if..., but then we deal with a different problem (in Aerts' terminology [2b] this is anobservation) and obtain again Eq. (8) (there is no complementarity but there is no model of spin either).     

Quantum mechanics as a classical diffusion process

A direct construction is provided showing that the classical expectation value for the energy of a particle executing a classical diffusion process is equivalent to the quantum mechanical form with a Hamiltonian structured like that for a charged particle in an electromagnetic field.     

Why Do the Quantum Observables Form a Jordan Operator Algebra?

The Jordan algebra structure of the bounded real quantum observables was recognized already in the early days of quantum mechanics. While there are plausible reasons for most parts of this structure, the existence of the distributive nonassociative multiplication operation is hard to justify from a physical or statistical point of view. Considering the non-Boolean extension of classical probabilities, presented in a recent paper, it is shown in this paper that such a multiplication operation can be derived from certain properties of the conditional probabilities and the observables, i.e., from postulates with a clear statistical interpretation. The well-known close relation between Jordan operator algebras and C*-algebras then provides the connection to the quantum-mechanical Hilbert space formalism, thus resulting in a novel axiomatic approach to general quantum mechanics that includes the types II and III von Neumann algebras.     

黑克、布劳、及伯曼-温采尔代数的诱导及分导系数和量子经典李代数的耦合与重新耦合系数

本文总结了计算黑克、布劳、及伯曼 温采尔代数在各种工数链下诱导及分导系数的线性方程方法(LEM)。特别强调了关于A,B,C,D型李代数及其量子情形与其中心代数之间的舒尔 魏尔 布劳双关性关系。这一关系使我们能够利用相应中心代数的诱导及分导系数计算出经典李代数及其量子情形的耦合与重新耦合系数。讨论了从该方法得到B,C,D型李代数不可约表示克罗内克积分解的应用。基于LEM还得到了处理对应于置换群CG系列问题的黑克代数张量积的方法。     

Total extensions of effect algebras

It is shown that if the natural order on a total extension of an effect algebra coincides with the order on, then is unique. The structure of is called a QI-algebra. It is shown that a QI-algebra is less general than a QMV-algebra, but that a QI-algebra is equivalent to a quasi-linear QMV-algebra. Some examples are given and the properties of these structures are studied.     

Special tensors in the deformation theory of quadratic algebras for the classical Lie algebras

Using deformation theory, Braverman and Joseph constructed certain primitive ideals in the enveloping algebras of the simple Lie algebras. Except in the case sl(2,C)$\mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{l}(2,\mathbb{C})$, there is a special value of the deformation parameter giving an ideal of infinite codimension. For the classical Lie algebras, the uniqueness of the special value is equivalent to the existence of tensors with very particular properties. The existence of these tensors was concluded abstractly by Braverman and Joseph but here we present explicit formulae. This allows a rather direct computation of the special value of the deformation parameter.     

Quantum particles from classical statistics

Quantum particles and classical particles are described in a common setting of classical statistical physics. The property of a particle being “classical” or “quantum” ceases to be a basic conceptual difference. The dynamics differs, however, between quantum and classical particles. We describe position, motion and correlations of a quantum particle in terms of observables in a classical statistical ensemble. On the other side, we also construct explicitly the quantum formalism with wave function and Hamiltonian for classical particles. For a suitable time evolution of the classical probabilities and a suitable choice of observables all features of a quantum particle in a potential can be derived from classical statistics, including interference and tunneling. Besides conceptual advances, the treatment of classical and quantum particles in a common formalism could lead to interesting cross‐fertilization between classical statistics and quantum physics.     

Noncommutative *-product continual Lie algebras and solvable models

Noncommutative counterparts of exactly solvable models are proposed on the basis of *-product continual Lie algebras. Examples of noncommutative Liouville and sine/sh-Gordon equations are discussed.     

q-Deformation of algebraic structures of quantum and classical mechanics

There exists a coassociative and cocommutative coproduct in the linear space spanned by the two algebraic products of a classical Hamilton algebra (the algebraic structure underlying classical mechanics [1]). The transition from classical to quantum Hamilton algebra (the algebraic structure underlying quantum mechanics) is anħ-deformation which preserves not only the Lie property of the classical Hamilton algebra but also the coassociativity and cocommutativity of the above coproduct. By explicit construction we obtain the algebraic structures of theq-deformed Hamilton algebras which preserve the said properties of the coproduct. Some algorithms of these structures are obtained and their implications discussed. The problem of consistency of time evolution with theq-deformed kinematical structure is discussed. A characteristic distinction between the parametersħ andq is brought out to stress the fact thatq cannot be regarded as a fundamental constant.     

Interpretation of Quantum Theory: The Quantum “Grue-Bleen” Problem

We present a critique of the many-world interpretation of quantum mechanics, based on different “pictures” that describe the time evolution of an isolated quantum system. Without an externally imposed frame to restrict these possible pictures, the theory cannot yield non-trivial interpretational statements. This is analogous to Goodman’s famous “grue-bleen” problem of language and induction. Using a general framework applicable to many kinds of dynamical theories, we try to identify the kind of additional structure (if any) required for the meaningful interpretation of a theory. We find that the “grue-bleen” problem is not restricted to quantum mechanics, but also affects other theories including classical Hamiltonian mechanics. For all such theories, absent external frame information, an isolated system has no interpretation.     

Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics in Terms of Beable Algebras

In terms of beable algebras Halvorson and Clifton [International Journal of Theoretical Physics 38 (1999) 2441–2484] generalized the uniqueness theorem (Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 27 (1996) 181–219] which characterizes interpretations of quantum mechanics by preferred observables. We examine whether dispersion-free states on beable algebras in the generalized uniqueness theorem can be regarded as truth-value assignments in the case where a preferred observable is the set of all spectral projections of a density operator, and in the case where a preferred observable is the set of all spectral projections of the position operator as well.     

Objective Probability and Quantum Fuzziness

This paper offers a critique of the Bayesian interpretation of quantum mechanics with particular focus on a paper by Caves, Fuchs, and Schack containing a critique of the “objective preparations view” or OPV. It also aims to carry the discussion beyond the hardened positions of Bayesians and proponents of the OPV. Several claims made by Caves et al. are rebutted, including the claim that different pure states may legitimately be assigned to the same system at the same time, and the claim that the quantum nature of a preparation device cannot legitimately be ignored. Both Bayesians and proponents of the OPV regard the time dependence of a quantum state as the continuous dependence on time of an evolving state of some kind. This leads to a false dilemma: quantum states are either objective states of nature or subjective states of belief. In reality they are neither. The present paper views the aforesaid dependence as a dependence on the time of the measurement to whose possible outcomes the quantum state serves to assign probabilities. This makes it possible to recognize the full implications of the only testable feature of the theory, viz., the probabilities it assigns to measurement outcomes. Most important among these are the objective fuzziness of all relative positions and momenta and the consequent incomplete spatiotemporal differentiation of the physical world. The latter makes it possible to draw a clear distinction between the macroscopic and the microscopic. This in turn makes it possible to understand the special status of measurements in all standard formulations of the theory. Whereas Bayesians have written contemptuously about the “folly” of conjoining “objective” to “probability,” there are various reasons why quantum-mechanical probabilities can be considered objective, not least the fact that they are needed to quantify an objective fuzziness. But this cannot be appreciated without giving thought to the makeup of the world, which Bayesians refuse to do. Doing this on the basis of how quantum mechanics assigns probabilities, one finds that what constitutes the macroworld is a single Ultimate Reality, about which we know nothing, except that it manifests the macroworld or manifests itself as the macroworld. The so-called microworld is neither a world nor a part of any world but instead is instrumental in the manifestation of the macroworld. Quantum mechanics affords us a glimpse “behind” the manifested world, at stages in the process of manifestation, but it does not allow us to describe what lies “behind” the manifested world except in terms of the finished product—the manifested world, for without the manifested world there is nothing in whose terms we could describe its manifestation.     

A Hierarchy of Compatibility and Comeasurability Levels in Quantum Logics with Unique Conditional Probabilities

In the quantum mechanical Hilbert space formalism, the probabilistic interpretation is a later ad-hoc add-on, more or less enforced by the experimental evidence, but not motivated by the mathematical model itself. A model involving a clear probabilistic interpretation from the very beginning is provided by the quantum logics with unique conditional probabilities. It includes the projection lattices in von Neumann algebras and here probability conditionalization becomes identical with the state transition of the Lueders-von Neumann measurement process. This motivates the definition of a hierarchy of five compatibility and comeasurability levels in the abstract setting of the quantum logics with unique conditional probabilities. Their meanings are： the absence of quantum interference or influence, the existence of a joint distribution, simultaneous measurability, and the independence of the final state after two successive measurements from the sequential order of these two measurements. A further level means that two elements of the quantum logic （events） belong to the same Boolean subalgebra. In the general case, the five compatibility and comeasurability levels appear to differ, but they all coincide in the common Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics, in von Neumann algebras, and in some other cases.     

A generalized Hamiltonian formalism unifying classical and quantum mechanics

A Poisson bracket structure is defined on associative algebras which allows for a generalized Hamiltonian dynamics. Both classical and quantum mechanics are shown to be special cases of the general formalism.     

A Hierarchy of Compatibility and Comeasurability Levels in Quantum Logics with Unique Conditional Probabilities

In the quantum mechanical Hilbert space formalism, the probabilisticinterpretation is a later ad-hoc add-on, more or less enforced by theexperimental evidence, but not motivated by the mathematical model itself. Amodel involving a clear probabilistic interpretation from the very beginningis provided by the quantum logics with unique conditional probabilities. Itincludes the projection lattices in von Neumann algebras and hereprobability conditionalization becomes identical with the state transitionof the Lüders - von Neumann measurement process. This motivates thedefinition of a hierarchy of five compatibility and comeasurability levelsin the abstract setting of the quantum logics with unique conditionalprobabilities. Their meanings are: the absence of quantum interference orinfluence, the existence of a joint distribution, simultaneous measurability, and the independence of the final state after two successive measurements from the sequential order of these two measurements. A further level means that two elements of the quantum logic (events) belong to the same Boolean subalgebra. In the general case, the five compatibility and comeasurability levels appear to differ, but they all coincide in the common Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics, in von Neumann algebras, and in some other cases.