Published June 2010 | Version v1
Journal article

Entropy and correlators in quantum field theory

  • 1. NORDITA, Roslagstullsbacken 23, SE-106 91 Stockholm (Sweden)
  • 2. Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITP) and Spinoza Institute, Utrecht University, Postbus 80195, 3508 TD Utrecht (Netherlands)
  • 3. Institut fur Theoretische Physik, Heidelberg University, Philosophenweg 16, D-69120 Heidelberg (Germany)

Description

It is well known that loss of information about a system, for some observer, leads to an increase in entropy as perceived by this observer. We use this to propose an alternative approach to decoherence in quantum field theory in which the machinery of renormalisation can systematically be implemented: neglecting observationally inaccessible correlators will give rise to an increase in entropy of the system. As an example we calculate the entropy of a general Gaussian state and, assuming the observer's ability to probe this information experimentally, we also calculate the correction to the Gaussian entropy for two specific non-Gaussian states.

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aop.2010.02.016

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1016/j.aop.2010.02.016;
arXiv
arXiv:1002.0749v1;
PII
S0003-4916(10)00048-5;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Annals of Physics (New York)
Journal Volume
325
Journal Issue
6
Journal Page Range
p. 1277-1303
ISSN
0003-4916
CODEN
APNYA6

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
42049715
Subject category
S72: PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
CORRECTIONS; ENTROPY; INFORMATION; LOSSES; PROBES; QUANTUM DECOHERENCE; QUANTUM FIELD THEORY; QUANTUM STATES; RENORMALIZATION
Descriptors DEC
FIELD THEORIES; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES

Optional Information

Copyright
Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.