On Quantum Nonunitarity as a Basis for the Second Law of Thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum non-unitarity, interpreted through the Transactional Interpretation, can physically underpin the Second Law of Thermodynamics by explaining entropy increase and molecular randomness without altering quantum theory.

Contribution

It offers a new physical justification for molecular randomness and reconciles reversible quantum evolution with irreversible thermodynamic processes using the Transactional Interpretation.

Findings

Provides a physical basis for Boltzmann's assumption of molecular randomness.

Reconciles quantum reversibility with thermodynamic irreversibility.

Contrasts the Transactional Interpretation with spontaneous collapse theories.

Abstract

It was first suggested by David Z. Albert that the existence of a real, physical non-unitary process (i.e., "collapse") at the quantum level would yield a complete explanation for the Second Law of Thermodynamics (i.e., the increase in entropy over time). The contribution of such a process would be to provide a physical basis for the ontological indeterminacy needed to derive the irreversible Second Law against a backdrop of otherwise reversible, deterministic physical laws. An alternative understanding of the source of this possible quantum "collapse" or non-unitarity is presented herein, in terms of the Transactional Interpretation (TI). The present model provides a specific physical justification for Boltzmann's often-criticized assumption of molecular randomness (Stosszahlansatz), thereby changing its status from an ad hoc postulate to a theoretically grounded result, without requiring any change to the basic quantum theory. In addition, it is argued that TI provides an elegant way of reconciling, via indeterministic collapse, the time-reversible Liouville evolution with the time-irreversible evolution inherent in so-called "master equations" that specify the changes in occupation of the various possible states in terms of the transition rates between them. The present model is contrasted with the Ghirardi-Rimini-Weber (GRW) "spontaneous collapse" theory previously suggested for this purpose by Albert.