Electromagnetism in terms of quantum measurements

TL;DR

This paper explores deriving electromagnetism from quantum measurement theory, demonstrating that both quantum and classical electromagnetism can be obtained through modern measurement models and operator deformations.

Contribution

It shows how electromagnetism can be derived from quantum measurement processes using recent innovations like smearing and simultaneous measurability.

Findings

Electromagnetism can be derived from quantum measurement theory.

Operator deformations relate quantum and classical electromagnetism.

Measurement models justify the use of von Neumann-type interactions.

Abstract

We consider the question whether electromagnetism can be derived from quantum physics of measurements. It turns out that this is possible, both for quantum and classical electromagnetism, if we use more recent innovations such as smearing of observables and simultaneous measurability. In this way we justify the use of von Neumann-type measurement models for physical processes. We apply operational quantum measurement theory to gain insight in fundamental aspects of quantum physics. Interactions of von Neumann type make the Heisenberg evolution of observables describable using explicit operator deformations. In this way one can obtain quantized electromagnetism as a measurement of a system by another. The relevant deformations (Rieffel deformations) have a mathematically well-defined "classical" limit which is indeed classical electromagnetism for our choice of interaction.