Consistent Quantum Theory

Table of Contents

Preface

1 Introduction PostScript or PDF

1.1 Scope of this Book
1.2 Quantum States and Variables
1.3 Quantum Dynamics
1.4 Mathematics I. Linear Algebra
1.5 Mathematics II. Calculus, Probability Theory
1.6 Quantum Reasoning
1.7 Quantum Measurements
1.8 Quantum Paradoxes

2 Wave Functions PostScript or PDF

2.1 Classical and Quantum Particles
2.2 Physical Interpretation of the Wave Function
2.3 Wave Functions and Position
2.4 Wave Functions and Momentum
2.5 Toy Model

3 Linear Algebra In Dirac Notation PostScript or PDF

3.1 Hilbert Space and Inner Product
3.2 Linear Functionals and the Dual Space
3.3 Operators, Dyads
3.4 Projectors and Subspaces
3.5 Orthogonal Projectors and Orthonormal Bases
3.6 Column Vectors, Row Vectors, and Matrices
3.7 Diagonalization of Hermitian Operators
3.8 Trace
3.9 Positive Operators and Density Matrices
3.10 Functions of Operators

4 Physical Properties PostScript or PDF

4.1 Classical and Quantum Properties
4.2 Toy Model and Spin Half
4.3 Continuous Quantum Systems
4.4 Negation of Properties (NOT)
4.5 Conjunction and Disjunction (AND, OR)
4.6 Incompatible Properties

5 Probabilities and Physical Variables PostScript or PDF

5.1 Classical Sample Space and Event Algebra
5.2 Quantum Sample Space and Event Algebra
5.3 Refinement, Coarsening and Compatibility
5.4 Probabilities and Ensembles
5.5 Random Variables and Physical Variables
5.6 Averages

6 Composite Systems and Tensor Products PostScript or PDF

6.1 Introduction
6.2 Definition of tensor products
6.3 Examples of Composite Quantum Systems
6.4 Product Operators
6.5 General Operators, Matrix Elements, Partial Traces
6.6 Product Properties and Product of Sample Spaces

7 Unitary Dynamics PostScript or PDF

7.1 The Schrödinger Equation
7.2 Unitary Operators
7.3 Time Development Operators
7.4 Toy Models

8 Stochastic Histories PostScript or PDF

8.1 Introduction
8.2 Classical Histories
8.3 Quantum Histories
8.4 Extensions and Logical Operations on Histories
8.5 Sample Spaces and Families of Histories
8.6 Refinements of Histories
8.7 Unitary Histories

9 The Born Rule PostScript or PDF

9.1 Classical Random Walk
9.2 Single-Time Probabilities
9.3 The Born Rule
9.4 Wave Function as a Pre-Probability
9.5 Application: Alpha Decay
9.6 Schrödinger's Cat

10 Consistent Histories PostScript or PDF

10.1 Chain Operators and Weights
10.2 Consistency Conditions and Consistent Families
10.3 Examples of Consistent and Inconsistent Families
10.4 Refinement and Compatibility

11 Checking Consistency PostScript or PDF

11.1 Introduction
11.2 Support of a Consistent Family
11.3 Initial and Final Projectors
11.4 Heisenberg Representation
11.5 Fixed Initial State
11.6 Initial Pure State. Chain Kets
11.7 Unitary Extensions
11.8 Intrinsically Inconsistent Histories

12 Examples of Consistent Families PostScript or PDF

12.1 Toy Beam Splitter
12.2 Beam Splitter With Detector
12.3 Time-Elapse Detector
12.4 Toy Alpha Decay

13 Quantum Interference PostScript or PDF

13.1 Two-Slit and Mach-Zehnder Interferometers
13.2 Toy Mach-Zehnder Interferometer
13.3 Detector in Output of Interferometer
13.4 Detector in Internal Arm of Interferometer
13.5 Weak Detectors in Internal Arms

14 Dependent (Contextual) Events PostScript or PDF

14.1 An Example
14.2 Classical Analogy
14.3 Contextual Properties and Conditional Probabilities
14.4 Dependent Events in Histories

15 Density Matrices PostScript or PDF

15.1 Introduction
15.2 Density Matrix as a Pre-Probability
15.3 Reduced Density Matrix for Subsystem
15.4 Time Dependence of Reduced Density Matrix
15.5 Reduced Density Matrix as Initial Condition
15.6 Density Matrix for Isolated System
15.7 Conditional Density Matrices

16 Quantum Reasoning PostScript or PDF

16.1 Some General Principles
16.2 Example: Toy Beam Splitter
16.3 Internal Consistency of Quantum Reasoning
16.4 Interpretation of Multiple Frameworks

17 Measurements I PostScript or PDF

17.1 Introduction
17.2 Microscopic Measurement
17.3 Macroscopic Measurement, First Version
17.4 Macroscopic Measurement, Second Version
17.5 General Destructive Measurements

18 Measurements II PostScript or PDF

18.1 Beam Splitter and Successive Measurements
18.2 Wave Function Collapse
18.3 Nondestructive Stern-Gerlach Measurements
18.4 Measurements and Incompatible Families
18.5 General Nondestructive Measurements

19 Coins and Counterfactuals PostScript or PDF

19.1 Quantum Paradoxes
19.2 Quantum Coins
19.3 Stochastic Counterfactuals
19.4 Quantum Counterfactuals

20 Delayed Choice Paradox PostScript or PDF

20.1 Statement of the Paradox
20.2 Unitary Dynamics
20.3 Some Consistent Families
20.4 Quantum Coin Toss and Counterfactual Paradox
20.5 Conclusion

21 Indirect Measurement Paradox PostScript or PDF

21.1 Statement of the Paradox
21.2 Unitary Dynamics
21.3 Comparing Min and Mout
21.4 Delayed Choice Version
21.5 Interaction-Free Measurement?
21.6 Conclusion

22 Incompatibility Paradoxes PostScript or PDF

22.1 Simultaneous Values
22.2 Value Functionals
22.3 Paradox of Two Spins
22.4 Truth Functionals
22.5 Paradox of Three Boxes
22.6 Truth Functionals for Histories

23 Singlet State Correlations PostScript or PDF

23.1 Introduction
23.2 Spin Correlations
23.3 Histories for Three Times
23.4 Measurements of One Spin
23.5 Measurements of Two Spins

24 EPR Paradox and Bell Inequalities PostScript or PDF

24.1 Bohm Version of the EPR Paradox
24.2 Counterfactuals and the EPR Paradox
24.3 EPR and Hidden Variables
24.4 Bell Inequalities

25 Hardy's Paradox PostScript or PDF

25.1 Introduction
25.2 The First Paradox
25.3 Analysis of the First Paradox
25.4 The Second Paradox
25.5 Analysis of the Second Paradox

26 Decoherence and the Classical Limit PostScript or PDF

26.1 Introduction
26.2 Particle in an Interferometer
26.3 Density Matrix
26.4 Random Environment
26.5 Consistency of Histories
26.6 Decoherence and Classical Physics

27 Quantum Theory and Reality PostScript or PDF

27.1 Introduction
27.2 Quantum vs. Classical Reality
27.3 Multiple Incompatible Descriptions
27.4 The Macroscopic World
27.5 Conclusion

Bibliography

References


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