Decoherence and the (non)emergence of classicality

2008/07/22 by Steven J. Weinstein, Weinstein, Steven
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #FOS: Physical sciences #General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc) #Quantum Information and Cryptography #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0807.3376

openalex publication_date 2008/07/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

We consider the claim that decoherence explains the emergence of classicality in quantum systems, and conclude that it does not. We show that, given a randomly chosen universe composed of a variety of subsystems, some of which are macroscopic and subject to decoherence-inducing interactions, and some of which are microscopic, the macroscopic subsystems will not display any distinctively classical behavior. Therefore, a universe in which macroscopic and microscopic do display distinct behavior must be in a very special, highly nongeneric quantum state.

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