Consistent Quantum Realism: A Reply to Bassi and Ghirardi

A recent claim by Bassi and Ghirardi that the consistent (decoherent) histories approach cannot provide a realistic interpretation of quantum theory is shown to be based upon a misunderstanding of the single-framework rule: they have replaced the correct rule with a principle which directly contradicts it. It is their assumptions, not those of the consistent histories approach, which lead to a logical contradiction.     

On the existence of inequivalent quasideterministic domains

In the framework of the history approach to quantum mechanics and, in particular, of the formulation of Gell-Mann and Hartle, the question of the existence of inequivalent decoherent sets of histories is reconsidered. A simple but acceptably realistic model of the dynamics of the universe is proposed and a particular set of histories is shown to be decoherent. By suitable tranformations of this set, a family of sets of histories is then generated, such that the sets, first, are decoherent on the basis of the assumed dynamics of the universe and, secondly, arc certainly inequivalent, apart from trivial special cases. Finally, the original set of histories is refined to get a model of the usual quasiclassical domain and it is shown that, applying to it the previously considered transformations, a family of sets of histories is obtained which share typical properties of the usual quasiclassical domain.Supported in part by the Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica and by the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare.     

Quantum arrival time formula from decoherent histories

We use the decoherent histories approach to quantum mechanics to compute the probability for a wave packet to cross the origin during a given time interval. We define class operators (sums of strings of projectors) characterizing quantum-mechanical crossing and simplify them using a semiclassical approximation. Using these class operators we find that histories crossing the origin during different time intervals are approximately decoherent for a variety of initial states. Probabilities may therefore be assigned and coincide with the flux of the wave packet (the standard semiclassical formula), and are positive. The known initial states for which the flux is negative (backflow states) are shown to correspond to non-decoherent sets of histories, so probabilities may not be assigned.     

Decoherence,relative states,and evolutionary adaptation

We review the decoherent histories approach to the interpretation of quantum mechanics. The Everett relative-state theory is reformulated in terms of decoherent histories. A model of evolutionary adaptation is shown to imply decoherence. A general interpretative framework is proposed: probability and value-definiteness are to have a similar status to the attribution of tense in classical spacetime theory.Comments and suggestions by D. Albert, J. Butterfield, J. Halliwell, H. Putnam, A. Shimony, E. Squires, P. Tappenden, and R. Weingard are gratefully acknowledged. Versions of this material were presented at Rutgers, Budapest, Imperial College, London, Oxford, and Cambridge; I thank the organizers and participants for their hospitality and constructive criticisms.     

Consistent histories and operational quantum theory

In this work a generalization of the consistent histories approach to quantum mechanics is presented. We first critically review the consistent histories approach to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics in a mathematically rigorous way and give some general comments about it. We investigate to what extent the consistent histories scheme is compatible with the results of the operational formulation of quantum mechanics. According to the operational approach, nonrelativistic quantum mechanics is most generally formulated in terms of effects, states, and operations. We formulate a generalized consistent histories theory using the concepts and the terminology which have proven useful in the operational formulation of quantum mechanics. The logical rule of the logical interpretation of quantum mechanics is generalized to the present context. The algebraic structure of the generalized theory is studied in detail.     

How to calculate decoherence matrices numerically

A central object in the interpretation of quantum mechanics of closed systems is the decoherence matrix. But only for a very small number of models one is able to give explicit expressions for its elements. So numerical methods are required. Unfortunately the dimensions of these matrices are usually very high, which makes also a direct numerical calculation impossible. In this paper I will develop an algorithm that combines the numerical calculation of the elements of the decoherence matrix with a permanent estimation. If the chosen histories are almost decoherent, the algorithm will provide the diagonal and maybe some near to diagonal elements only. In this case, within numerical errors, we can assume, that all not calculated elements are smaller than a given threshold. If the histories are coherent, the algorithm has to calculate too much data (there exist too much non-vanishing elements) and the success depends mainly on the available computer time.As an example I apply this procedure to the Caldeira—Leggett-model.     

Measurement of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-type flavor entanglement in Upsilon(4S) --> B0 B0 decays

The neutral B meson pair produced at the Upsilon(4S) should exhibit a nonlocal correlation of the type discussed by Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen. We measure this correlation using the time-dependent flavor asymmetry of semileptonic B(0) decays, which we compare with predictions from quantum mechanics and two local realistic models. The data are consistent with quantum mechanics, and inconsistent with the other models. Assuming that some B pairs disentangle to produce B(0) and B(0) with definite flavor, we find a decoherent fraction of 0.029 +/ -0.057, consistent with no decoherence.     

On the consistent histories approach to quantum mechanics

We review the consistent histories formulations of quantum mechanics developed by Griffiths, Omnès, and Gell-Mann and Hartle, and describe the classification of consistent sets. We illustrate some general features of consistent sets by a few simple lemmas and examples. We consider various interpretations of the formalism, and examine the new problems which arise in reconstructing the past and predicting the future. It is shown that Omnès' characterization of true statements—statements which can be deduced unconditionally in his interpretation—is incorrect. We examine critically Gell-Mann and Hartle's interpretation of the formalism, and in particular their discussions of communication, prediction, and retrodiction, and conclude that their explanation of the apparent persistence of quasiclassicality relies on assumptions about an as-yetunknown theory of experience. Our overall conclusion is that the consistent histories approach illustrates the need to supplement quantum mechanics by some selection principle in order to produce a fundamental theory capable of unconditional predictions.     

Glafka 2004: The Decoherent Histories Approach to the Quantization of Cosmological Models

The decoherent histories approach is a particularly useful approach to quantum theory especially when time enters in a non-trivial way, or indeed, when there is no physical time coordinate at all, as is the case in quantum cosmology. Here, attempts to apply the decoherent histories approach to quantum cosmology are described.     

Decoherence-and Dimerization-assisted Energy Transport in Protomer of Light-Harvesting Complexes

We have investigated the dynamics of a protomer coupled to two different decoherent environments,each in a configuration called the spin star configuration.Using the quantum mechanics method,in different situations,we obtain the analytical expressions for the transition probability in the protomer system.In thermal equilibrium,there exist well-defined ranges of parameters for which decoherent interaction between the protomer and the environment assists energy transfer in the protomer system,while in pure quantum mechanics states,the decoherent interaction assists energy transfer for an eigenstate but against energy transfer for quantum mechanics averages.In particular,we also find that the dimerization of two bacteriochlorophylls in protomer can always assist energy transfer in certain parameter range,and in the appropriate spin bath energy,the efficiency of energy transport is sensitively depended on the temperature of environments.     

Contrary Inferences in Consistent Histories and a Set Selection Criterion

The best developed formulation of closed system quantum theory that handles multiple-time statements, is the consistent (or decoherent) histories approach. The most important weaknesses of the approach is that it gives rise to many different consistent sets, and it has been argued that a complete interpretation should be accompanied with a natural mechanism leading to a (possibly) unique preferred consistent set. The existence of multiple consistent sets becomes more problematic because it allows the existence of contrary inferences [1]. We analyse the conceptual difficulties that arise from the existence of multiple consistent sets and provide a suggestion for a natural set selection criterion. This criterion does not lead to a unique physical consistent set, however it evades the existence of consistent sets with contrary inferences. The criterion is based on the concept of preclusion and the requirement that probability one propositions and their inferences should be non-contextual. The allowed consistent sets turn-out to be compatible with coevents which are the ontology of an alternative, histories based, formulation [2–4].     

Timeless Configuration Space and the Emergence of Classical Behavior

The inherent difficulty in talking about quantum decoherence in the context of quantum cosmology is that decoherence requires subsystems, and cosmology is the study of the whole Universe. Consistent histories gave a possible answer to this conundrum, by phrasing decoherence as loss of interference between alternative histories of closed systems. When one can apply Boolean logic to a set of histories, it is deemed ‘consistent’. However, the vast majority of the sets of histories that are merely consistent are blatantly nonclassical in other respects, and further constraints than just consistency need to be invoked. In this paper, I attempt to give an alternative answer to the issues faced by consistent histories, by exploring a timeless interpretation of quantum mechanics of closed systems. This is done solely in terms of path integrals in non-relativistic, timeless, configuration space. What prompts a fresh look at such foundational problems in this context is the advent of multiple gravitational models in which Lorentz symmetry is not fundamental, but only emergent. And what allows this approach to overcome previous barriers to a timeless, conditional probabilities interpretation of quantum mechanics is the new notion of records—made possible by an inherent asymmetry of configuration space. I outline and explore consequences of this approach for foundational issues of quantum mechanics, such as the natural emergence of the Born rule, conservation of probabilities, and the Sleeping Beauty paradox.     

Objective Quantum Fields,Retrocausality and Ontology

We compare different approaches to quantum ontology. In particular, we discuss an interpretation of quantum mechanics that we call objective quantum field theory (OQFT), which involves retrocausal fields. Here, objective implies the existence of fields independent of an observer, but not that the results of conjugate measurements are predetermined: the theory is contextual. The ideas and analyses of Einstein and Bohr through to more recent approaches to objective realism are discussed. We briefly describe measurement induced projections, the guided wave interpretation, many-universes, consistent histories and modal theories. These earlier interpretations are compared with OQFT. We argue that this approach is compatible both with Bohr’s quantum complementarity and Einstein’s objective realism.     

The Universe and the Quantum Computer

It is first pointed out that there is a common mathematical model for the universe and the quantum computer. The former is called the histories approach to quantum mechanics and the latter is called measurement-based quantum computation. Although a rigorous concrete model for the universe has not been completed, a quantum measure and integration theory has been developed which may be useful for future progress. In this work we show that the quantum integral is the unique functional satisfying certain basic physical and mathematical principles. Since the set of paths (or trajectories) for a quantum computer is finite, this theory is easier to treat and more developed. We observe that the sum of the quantum measures of the paths is unity and the total interference vanishes. Thus, constructive interference is always balanced by an equal amount of destructive interference. As an example we consider a simplified two-slit experiment.     

From a 1D Completed Scattering and Double Slit Diffraction to the Quantum-Classical Problem for Isolated Systems

By probability theory the probability space to underlie the set of statistical data described by the squared modulus of a coherent superposition of microscopically distinct (sub)states (CSMDS) is non-Kolmogorovian and, thus, such data are mutually incompatible. For us this fact means that the squared modulus of a CSMDS cannot be unambiguously interpreted as the probability density and quantum mechanics itself, with its current approach to CSMDSs, does not allow a correct statistical interpretation. By the example of a 1D completed scattering and double slit diffraction we develop a new quantum-mechanical approach to CSMDSs, which requires the decomposition of the non-Kolmogorovian probability space associated with the squared modulus of a CSMDS into the sum of Kolmogorovian ones. We adapt to CSMDSs the presented by Khrennikov (Found. Phys. 35(10):1655, 2005) concept of real contexts (complexes of physical conditions) to determine uniquely the properties of quantum ensembles. Namely we treat the context to create a time-dependent CSMDS as a complex one consisting of elementary (sub)contexts to create alternative subprocesses. For example, in the two-slit experiment each slit generates its own elementary context and corresponding subprocess. We show that quantum mechanics, with a new approach to CSMDSs, allows a correct statistical interpretation and becomes compatible with classical physics.     

Exact phase space localized projectors from energy eigenstates

In investigations of the emergence of classicality from quantum theory, a useful step is the construction of quantum operators corresponding to the classical notion that the system resides in a region of phase space. The simplest such constructions are approximate projection operators. Here, we show how to construct exact projection operators which are localized on regions of phase. We elucidate the properties of such operators and explore their time evolution. For the harmonic oscillator we find sets of phase space localized histories which are exactly decoherent for any initial state and have probability 1 for classical evolution.