Models of Hidden Purity

TL;DR

This paper develops generalized quantum radiation models that maintain high entropy over time but eventually become pure, offering insights into quantum phenomena and potential experimental tests involving entanglement and interference.

Contribution

It extends Griffiths' quantum radiator model to create comprehensive models applicable to various physical systems and space-times, revealing subtle quantum effects.

Findings

Models exhibit high entropy for extended periods

Models approach pure states asymptotically

Implications for interference and entanglement in quantum theory

Abstract

I extend, apply, and generalize a model of a quantum radiator proposed by Griffiths to construct models of radiation fields that exhibit high entropy for long periods of time but approach pure states asymptotically. The models, which are fully consistent with the basic principles of quantum theory, provide coarse-grained models of both realistic physical systems and exotic space-times including black and white holes and baby and prodigal universes. Their analysis suggests experimental probes of some basic but subtle implications of quantum theory including interference between a particle and its own past, influence of quantum statistical entanglement on entropy flow, and residual entanglement connecting distant radiation with a degenerate source.