Published April 2010 | Version v1
Journal article

Quantum mechanics from classical statistics

Creators

  • 1. Institut fuer Theoretische Physik, Universitaet Heidelberg, Philosophenweg 16, D-69120 Heidelberg (Germany)

Description

Quantum mechanics can emerge from classical statistics. A typical quantum system describes an isolated subsystem of a classical statistical ensemble with infinitely many classical states. The state of this subsystem can be characterized by only a few probabilistic observables. Their expectation values define a density matrix if they obey a 'purity constraint'. Then all the usual laws of quantum mechanics follow, including Heisenberg's uncertainty relation, entanglement and a violation of Bell's inequalities. No concepts beyond classical statistics are needed for quantum physics - the differences are only apparent and result from the particularities of those classical statistical systems which admit a quantum mechanical description. Born's rule for quantum mechanical probabilities follows from the probability concept for a classical statistical ensemble. In particular, we show how the non-commuting properties of quantum operators are associated to the use of conditional probabilities within the classical system, and how a unitary time evolution reflects the isolation of the subsystem. As an illustration, we discuss a classical statistical implementation of a quantum computer.

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aop.2009.12.006

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1016/j.aop.2009.12.006;
arXiv
arXiv:0906.4919v2;
PII
S0003-4916(09)00246-2;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Annals of Physics (New York)
Journal Volume
325
Journal Issue
4
Journal Page Range
p. 852-898
ISSN
0003-4916
CODEN
APNYA6

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
41072313
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
BELL THEOREM; DENSITY MATRIX; PROBABILISTIC ESTIMATION; PROBABILITY; QUANTUM COMPUTERS; QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT; QUANTUM MECHANICS; QUANTUM OPERATORS; STATISTICS
Descriptors DEC
CALCULATION METHODS; COMPUTERS; MATHEMATICAL OPERATORS; MATHEMATICS; MATRICES; MECHANICS

Optional Information

Copyright
Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.