An Extension of Gleason's Theorem for Quantum Computation

We develop a synthesis of Turing's paradigm of computation and von Neumann's quantum logic to serve as a model for quantum computation with recursion, such that potentially non-terminating computation can take place, as in a quantum Turing machine. This model is based on the extension of von Neumann's quantum logic to partial states, defined here as sub-probability measures on the Hilbert space, equipped with the natural point-wise partial ordering. The sub-probability measures allow a certain probability for the non-termination of the computation. We then derive an extension of Gleason's theorem and show that, for Hilbert spaces of dimension greater than two, the partial order of sub-probability measures is order isomorphic with the collection of partial density operators, i.e. trace class positive operators with trace between zero and one, equipped with the usual partial ordering induced from positive operators. We show that the expected value of a bounded observable with respect to a partial state can be defined as a closed bounded interval, which extends the classical definition of expected value.     

A single-photon test of Gleason's theorem

We propose an all-optical test of the premises behind Gleason's theorem from foundational quantum mechanics. The test requires only beamsplitters, photon detectors, and a source of single-photons.     

Quantum Physics and Classical Physics—In the Light of Quantum Logic

In contrast to the Copenhagen interpretation we consider quantum mechanics as universally valid and query whether classical physics is really intuitive and plausible. We discuss these problems within the quantum logic approach to quantum mechanics where the classical ontology is relaxed by reducing metaphysical hypotheses. On the basis of this weak ontology a formal logic of quantum physics can be established which is given by an orthomodular lattice. By means of the Solèr condition and Piron's result one obtains the classical Hilbert spaces. However, this approach is not fully convincing. There is no plausible justification of Solèr's law and the quantum ontology is partly too weak and partly too strong. We propose to replace this ontology by an ontology of unsharp properties and conclude that quantum mechanics is more intuitive than classical mechanics and that classical mechanics is not the macroscopic limit of quantum mechanics.     

What is Quantum Mechanics? A Minimal Formulation

This paper presents a minimal formulation of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, by which is meant a formulation which describes the theory in a succinct, self-contained, clear, unambiguous and of course correct manner. The bulk of the presentation is the so-called “microscopic theory”, applicable to any closed system S of arbitrary size N, using concepts referring to S alone, without resort to external apparatus or external agents. An example of a similar minimal microscopic theory is the standard formulation of classical mechanics, which serves as the template for a minimal quantum theory. The only substantive assumption required is the replacement of the classical Euclidean phase space by Hilbert space in the quantum case, with the attendant all-important phenomenon of quantum incompatibility. Two fundamental theorems of Hilbert space, the Kochen–Specker–Bell theorem and Gleason’s theorem, then lead inevitably to the well-known Born probability rule. For both classical and quantum mechanics, questions of physical implementation and experimental verification of the predictions of the theories are the domain of the macroscopic theory, which is argued to be a special case or application of the more general microscopic theory.     

Deduction, Ordering, and Operations in Quantum Logic

We show that in quantum logic of closed subspaces of Hilbert space one cannot substitute quantum operations for classical (standard Hilbert space) ones and treat them as primitive operations. We consider two possible ways of such a substitution and arrive at operation algebras that are not lattices what proves the claim. We devise algorithms and programs which write down any two-variable expression in an orthomodular lattice by means of classical and quantum operations in an identical form. Our results show that lattice structure and classical operations uniquely determine quantum logic underlying Hilbert space. As a consequence of our result, recent proposals for a deduction theorem with quantum operations in an orthomodular lattice as well as a, substitution of quantum operations for the usual standard Hilbert space ones in quantum logic prove to be misleading. Quantum computer quantum logic is also discussed.     

Testing the validity of the Ehrenfest theorem beyond simple static systems: Caldirola–Kanai oscillator driven by a time-dependent force

The relationship between quantum mechanics and classical mechanics is investigated by taking a Gaussian-type wave packet as a solution of the Schr o¨dinger equation for the Caldirola–Kanai oscillator driven by a sinusoidal force. For this time-dependent system, quantum properties are studied by using the invariant theory of Lewis and Riesenfeld. In particular,we analyze time behaviors of quantum expectation values of position and momentum variables and compare them to those of the counterpart classical ones. Based on this, we check whether the Ehrenfest theorem which was originally developed in static quantum systems can be extended to such time-varying systems without problems.     

Poincaré's theorem and unitary transformations for classical and quantum systems

Poincaré's celebrated theorem on the nonexistence of analytical invariants of motion is extended to the case of a continuous spectrum to deal with large classical and quantum systems. It is shown that Poincaré's theorem applies to situations where there exist continuous sets of resonances. This condition is equivalent to the nonvanishing of the asymptotic collision operator as defined in modern kinetic theory. Typical examples are systems presenting relaxation processes or exhibiting unstable quantum levels. As the result of Poincaré's theorem, the unitary transformation, leading to a cyclic Hamiltonian in classical mechanics or to the diagonalization of the Hamiltonian operator in quantum mechanics, diverges. We obtain therefore a dynamical classification of large classical or quantum systems. This is of special interest for quantum systems as, historically, quantum mechanics has been formulated following closely the patterns of classical integrable systems. The well known results of Friedrichs concerning the coupling of discrete states with a continuum are recovered. However, the role of the collision operator suggests new ways of eliminating the divergence in the unitary transformation theory.     

A modification of the axiom system of quantum mechanics

A general axiom system, including both classical and quantum mechanics as special cases, is proposed. On the basis of the axioms assumed it is shown that the logic of experimentally verifiable propositions concerning any (classical or quantum) physical system may be embedded into an atomistic complete lattice. Moreover, in the quantum case (characterized in the paper by validity of the superposition principle) a generalization of the Piron's representation theorem for the logic is stated.     

Spectral Automorphisms in Quantum Logics

In quantum mechanics, the Hilbert space formalism might be physically justified in terms of some axioms based on the orthomodular lattice (OML) mathematical structure (Piron in Foundations of Quantum Physics, Benjamin, Reading, 1976). We intend to investigate the extent to which some fundamental physical facts can be described in the more general framework of OMLs, without the support of Hilbert space-specific tools. We consider the study of lattice automorphisms properties as a “substitute” for Hilbert space techniques in investigating the spectral properties of observables. This is why we introduce the notion of spectral automorphism of an OML. Properties of spectral automorphisms and of their spectra are studied. We prove that the presence of nontrivial spectral automorphisms allow us to distinguish between classical and nonclassical theories. We also prove, for finite dimensional OMLs, that for every spectral automorphism there is a basis of invariant atoms. This is an analogue of the spectral theorem for unitary operators having purely point spectrum.     

Arrow of Time in Rigged Hilbert Space Quantum Mechanics

Arno Bohm and Ilya Prigogine's Brussels–Austin Group have been working on the quantum mechanical arrow of time and irreversibility in rigged Hilbert space quantum mechanics. A crucial notion in Bohm's approach is the so-called preparation/registration arrow. An analysis of this arrow and its role in Bohm's theory of scattering is given. Similarly, the Brussels–Austin Group uses an excitation/de-excitation arrow for ordering events, which is also analyzed. The relationship between the two approaches is initially discussed focusing on their semi-group operators and time arrows. Finally a possible realist interpretation of the rigged Hilbert space formulation of quantum mechanics is considered.     

A generalization of Fermat's principle for classical and quantum systems

The analogy between dynamics and optics had a great influence on the development of the foundations of classical and quantum mechanics. We take this analogy one step further and investigate the validity of Fermat's principle in many-dimensional spaces describing dynamical systems (i.e., the quantum Hilbert space and the classical phase and configuration space). We propose that if the notion of a metric distance is well defined in that space and the velocity of the representative point of the system is an invariant of motion, then a generalized version of Fermat's principle will hold. We substantiate this conjecture for time-independent quantum systems and for a classical system consisting of coupled harmonic oscillators. An exception to this principle is the configuration space of a charged particle in a constant magnetic field; in this case the principle is valid in a frame rotating by half the Larmor frequency, not the stationary lab frame.     

Quantum theory as a theory in a classical propositional calculus

Classical logic and Boolean algebras are, of course, very intimately related. It is, however, possible to show that lattices of propositions isomorphic to the lattice of all the closed subspaces of a separable Hilbert space arise quite naturally within the classical propositional logic. This was first shown by the author in 1987 in connection with a certain type of theories calledtheories with orthocomplementation. These theories are not easy to interpret physically and it is shown that simpler theories, which are more amenable to physical interpretation, can also be used. It is then possible to assume that quantum theory is such a theory and, as a result, to formulate a new approach that provides a way of looking at the wave-particle duality and touches upon the foundations of quantum field theory.     

Convex Quantum Logic

In this work we study the convex set of quantum states from a quantum logical point of view. We consider an algebraic structure based on the convex subsets of this set. The relationship of this algebraic structure with the lattice of propositions of quantum logic is shown. This new structure is suitable for the study of compound systems and shows new differences between quantum and classical mechanics. These differences are linked to the nontrivial correlations which appear when quantum systems interact. They are reflected in the new propositional structure, and do not have a classical analogue. This approach is also suitable for an algebraic characterization of entanglement and it provides a new entanglement criteria.     

对于“包含在连续谱量子体系中的决定论性”一文的讨论

对于具有连续能谱的单粒子量子体系,“包含在连续谱量子体系中的决定论性”一文用所谓“双波函数”来描述处于能量本征态的粒子系综中各粒子的量子行为,并且在所谓的“等价定理”中称:双波函数描述在经典极限下将化为经典力学描述.然而,此描述所给出的系综力学量观测值统计分布的预言与通常量子力学不相容;并且,该文对其“等价定理”的证明是不正确的,这个“定理”实际上不成立 关键词： 连续能谱量子体系 双波函数 经典极限     

Optical scheme to demonstrate state-independent quantum contextuality

The contradiction between classical and quantum physics can be identified through quantum contextuality, which does not need composite systems or spacelike separation. Contextuality is proven either by a logical contradiction between the noncontextuality hidden variable predictions and those of quantum mechanics or by the violation of noncontextual inequality. We propose an experimental scheme of state-independent contextual inequality derived from the Mermin proof of the Kochen-Specker (KS) theorem in eight-dimensional Hilbert space, which could be observed either in an individual system or in a composite system. We also show how to resolve the compatibility problems. Our scheme can be implemented in optical systems with current experiment techniques.     

Embedding quantum logics in Hilbert space

We show that an orthomodular lattice is embeddable in a Hilbert space if and only if states of a certain kind exist. A physical motivation for the existence of such states is given and a connection is provided between the quantum logic, algebraic, and operational approaches to quantum mechanics.     

Planck’s Constant in the Light of Quantum Logic

The goal of quantum logic is the “bottom-top” reconstruction of quantum mechanics. Starting from a weak quantum ontology, a long sequence of arguments leads to quantum logic, to an orthomodular lattice, and to the classical Hilbert spaces. However, this abstract theory does not yet contain Planck’s constant ℏ. We argue, that ℏ can be obtained, if the empty theory is applied to real entities and extended by concepts that are usually considered as classical notions. Introducing the concepts of localizability and homogeneity we define objects by symmetry groups and systems of imprimitivity. For elementary systems, the irreducible representations of the Galileo group are projective and determined only up to a parameter z, which is given by z=m/ℏ, where m is the mass of the particle and ℏ Planck’s constant. We show that ℏ has a meaning within quantum mechanics, irrespective of use the of classical concepts in our derivation.     

An elementary proof for the non-bijective version of Wigner's theorem

The non-bijective version of Wigner's theorem states that a map which is defined on the set of self-adjoint, rank-one projections (or pure states) of a complex Hilbert space and which preserves the transition probability between any two elements, is induced by a linear or antilinear isometry. We present a completely new, elementary and very short proof of this famous theorem which is very important in quantum mechanics. We do not assume bijectivity of the mapping or separability of the underlying space like in many other proofs.     

Quantum Teleportation and Grover’s Algorithm Without the Wavefunction

In the same way as the quantum no-cloning theorem and quantum key distribution in two preceding papers, entanglement-assisted quantum teleportation and Grover’s search algorithm are generalized by transferring them to an abstract setting, including usual quantum mechanics as a special case. This again shows that a much more general and abstract access to these quantum mechanical features is possible than commonly thought. A non-classical extension of conditional probability and, particularly, a very special type of state-independent conditional probability are used instead of Hilbert spaces and wavefunctions.     

Piron's and Bell's Geometrical Lemmas

The famous Gleason's Theorem gives a characterization of measures on lattices of subspaces of Hilbert spaces. The attempts to simplify its proof lead to geometrical lemmas that possess also easy proofs of some consequences of Gleason's Theorem. We contribute to these results by solving two open problems formulated by Chevalier, Dvure?enskij and Svozil. Besides, our use of orthoideals provides a unified approach to finite and infinite measures.