Entangled Histories

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new formalism for quantum history states that extends the consistent histories approach, enabling analysis of quantum pasts through observations and revealing non-classical temporal correlations.

Contribution

It develops a mathematical framework for quantum history states, allowing reconstruction of past events and analysis of non-classical temporal correlations in quantum theory.

Findings

Reconstruction of quantum pasts via observations

Analysis of non-classical correlations in time

Extension of consistent histories framework

Abstract

We introduce quantum history states and their mathematical framework, thereby reinterpreting and extending the consistent histories approach to quantum theory. Through thought experiments, we demonstrate that our formalism allows us to analyze a quantum version of history in which we reconstruct the past by observations. In particular, we can pass from measurements to inferences about "what happened" in a way that is sensible and free of paradox. Our framework allows for a richer understanding of the temporal structure of quantum theory, and we construct history states that embody peculiar, non-classical correlations in time.