Decoherence in quantum mechanics

Journal Article · Wed Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Annals of Physics (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aop.2010.12.014· OSTI ID:21579904

Prokopec, Tomislav ^[1]

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1. Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITP) and Spinoza Institute, Utrecht University, Postbus 80195, 3508 TD Utrecht (Netherlands)

Research Highlights: > We study decoherence in a simple quantum mechanical model using two approaches. > Following the conventional approach to decoherence we solve the master equation. > We also consider our novel correlator approach to decoherence. > The system's total entropy increase cannot reliably be calculated in the conventional approach. > This does follow correctly from our correlator approach. - Abstract: We study decoherence in a simple quantum mechanical model using two approaches. Firstly, we follow the conventional approach to decoherence where one is interested in solving the reduced density matrix from the perturbative master equation. Secondly, we consider our novel correlator approach to decoherence where entropy is generated by neglecting observationally inaccessible correlators. We show that both methods can accurately predict decoherence time scales. However, the perturbative master equation generically suffers from instabilities which prevents us to reliably calculate the system's total entropy increase. We also discuss the relevance of the results in our quantum mechanical model for interacting field theories.

• OSTI ID: 21579904
• Journal Information: Annals of Physics (New York), Journal Name: Annals of Physics (New York) Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 326; ISSN 0003-4916; ISSN APNYA6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DENSITY MATRIX
ENTROPY
FIELD THEORIES
INSTABILITY
MATRICES
MECHANICS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
QUANTUM MECHANICS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES