Temperature as a quantum observable

TL;DR

This paper explores the concept of temperature as a quantum observable, proposing a thought experiment and a measurement model that suggest temperature can be represented as an operator with quantum uncertainty, and discusses experimental verification.

Contribution

It introduces the novel idea of treating temperature as a quantum operator and models its measurement process within quantum mechanics.

Findings

Temperature can be modeled as a quantum operator.

Measurement of temperature involves wavefunction collapse.

Proposes an experiment to test temperature as a quantum observable.

Abstract

In this article, we address the problem of how temperature of a quantum system is observed. By proposing a thought experiment, we argue that temperature must be conceived as an operator and its measurement must necessarily accompany a collapse in the wavefunction. We model a temperature measurement device and determine the expectation value and quantum uncertainty of its readout. Lastly, we explore the consequences of this point of view and propose an experiment to verify if temperature is indeed a quantum observable.