Intrinsic and fundamental decoherence: issues and problems

2008/03/24 by C. Anastopoulos, C Anastopoulos, B. L. Hu +1
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Frequency and Time Standards #Meaning (existential) #Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories #Planck #Quantum #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum decoherence #Quantum dissipation #Quantum fluctuation #Quantum process #Range (aeronautics) #Stochastic process #gr-qc #quant-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/0264-9381/25/15/154003

published as Class.Quant.Grav.25:154003,2008 · 16 pages

arxiv created 2008/03/24 · openalex publication_date 2008/07/22 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06

Abstract

We investigate the meaning of gravity-induced decoherence in quantum theory, known as ‘intrinsic’ or ‘fundamental’ decoherence in the literature. We explore a range of issues relevant to this problem, including the meaning of modified uncertainty relations, the interpretations of the Planck scale, the distinction between quantum and stochastic fluctuations and the role of the time variable in quantum mechanics. We examine the specific physical assumptions that enter into different approaches to the subject. In particular, we critique two representative approaches that identify time fluctuations as the origin of intrinsic or fundamental decoherence: one that models the fluctuations by stochastic process and one that purports to derive decoherence from the quantum fluctuations of real clocks.

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