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Identifying decohering paths in closed quantum systemsA specific proposal is discussed for how to identify decohering paths in a wavefunction of the universe. The emphasis is on determining the correlations among subsystems and then considering how these correlations evolve. The proposal is similar to earlier ideas of Schroedinger and of Zeh, but in other ways it is closer to the decoherence functional of Griffiths, Omnes, and Gell-Mann and Hartle. There are interesting differences with each of these which are discussed. Once a given coarse-graining is chosen, the candidate paths are fixed in this scheme, and a single well defined number measures the degree of decoherence for each path. The normal probability sum rules are exactly obeyed (instantaneously) by these paths regardless of the level of decoherence. Also briefly discussed is how one might quantify some other aspects of classicality. The important role that concrete calculations play in testing this and other proposals is stressed.
Document ID
19900016374
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Albrecht, Andreas
(Fermi National Accelerator Lab. Batavia, IL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
June 28, 1990
Subject Category
Thermodynamics And Statistical Physics
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:182853
NASA-CR-182853
FERMILAB-PUB-90/128-A
Report Number: NAS 1.26:182853
Report Number: NASA-CR-182853
Report Number: FERMILAB-PUB-90/128-A
Accession Number
90N25690
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1340
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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