Changing quantum reference frames

TL;DR

This paper investigates how changing quantum reference frames inherently causes decoherence in quantum systems, advancing the understanding of quantum relativity principles.

Contribution

It introduces a framework for analyzing quantum reference frame changes and quantifies the induced decoherence, a novel step towards quantum relativity.

Findings

Changing quantum reference frames induces decoherence.

Examples include phase and orientation reference frames.

Quantification of decoherence effects is provided.

Abstract

We consider the process of changing reference frames in the case where the reference frames are quantum systems. We find that, as part of this process, decoherence is necessarily induced on any quantum system described relative to these frames. We explore this process with examples involving reference frames for phase and orientation. Quantifying the effect of changing quantum reference frames serves as a first step in developing a relativity principle for theories in which all objects including reference frames are necessarily quantum.