2009/07/11 by Mario Castagnino, Sebastián Fortín, Castagnino, Mario +3
Physics and Astronomy · Computer Science · #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #Quantum Information and Cryptography
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0907.1933
In this paper we propose a closed-system perspective to study decoherence. From this perspective we analyze the spin-bath model as presented in the literature, and a natural generalization of that model. On the basis of the results obtained from that analysis, we argue that decoherence may be understood as a phenomenon relative to the partition of a closed system, selected in each particular case. This viewpoint frees the decoherence program from certain conceptual difficulties derived from its open-system perspective. We also argue that the usual picture of decoherence in terms of energy dissipation is misguided.