2025/06/05 by Jorge Escandón-Monardes, Escandón-Monardes, Jorge
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories #Quantum Electrodynamics and Casimir Effect #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2506.04607
openalex publication_date 2025/06/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
In this "map" we are going to present the concept of indefinite causal order and make a quick journey through its different flavours. We will start with a broad conceptual motivation for studying indefinite causal order, based on the approach of Lucien Hardy to quantum gravity. Then, we will introduce the quantum switch, which is a particular instance of indefinite causal order, followed by the process matrices framework and the superposition of causal structures. Finally, we will comment on some ongoing debates within the field. This document started as an excerpt of the author's PhD Thesis and is intended as a map of indefinite causal order, which can be used to guide the trip of any explorer in the field.