From quantum to quantum via decoherence

TL;DR

This paper explores how decoherence can induce classical properties and enable the transition from infinite quantum systems to finite quantum systems, using an algebraic framework and a quantum spin system model.

Contribution

It demonstrates that environment-induced decoherence can facilitate the transition from statistical descriptions of infinite quantum systems to finite quantum mechanics.

Findings

Decoherence induces classical properties like superselection rules and pointer states.

The transition from infinite to finite quantum systems is shown to occur in a quantum spin system interacting with a phonon field.

The algebraic framework effectively describes environment-induced effects on quantum systems.

Abstract

Various physical effects resulting from decoherence are discussed in the algebraic framework. In particular, it is shown that the environment may induce not only classical properties like superselection rules, pointer states or even classical behavior of the quantum system, but, what is more, it also allows the transition from statistical description of infinite quantum systems to quantum mechanics of systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom. It is shown that such transition holds for the quantum spin system in the thermodynamic limit interacting with the phonon field.