Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1410.2044 · Journal of Mathematical Physics

Quantum probabilities as Dempster-Shafer probabilities in the lattice of subspaces

Apostol Vourdas

Published Aug 1, 2014• 35 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The orthocomplemented modular lattice of subspaces ${\cal L}[H(d)]$L[H(d)], of a quantum system with d-dimensional Hilbert space H(d), is considered. A generalized additivity relation which holds for Kolmogorov probabilities is violated by quantum probabilities in the full lattice ${\cal L}[H(d)]$L[H(d)] (it is only valid within the Boolean subalgebras of ${\cal L}[H(d)]$L[H(d)]). This suggests the use of more general (than Kolmogorov) probability theories, and here the Dempster-Shafer probability theory is adopted. An operator ${\mathfrak {D}}(H_1, H_2)$D(H1,H2), which quantifies deviations from Kolmogorov probability theory is introduced, and it is shown to be intimately related to the commutator of the projectors ${\mathfrak {P}}(H_1), {\mathfrak {P}}(H_2)$P(H1),P(H2), to the subspaces H1, H2. As an application, it is shown that the proof of the inequalities of Clauser, Horne, Shimony, and Holt for a system of two spin 1/2 particles is valid for Kolmogorov probabilities, but it is not valid for Dempster-Shafer probabilities. The violation of these inequalities in experiments supports the interpretation of quantum probabilities as Dempster-Shafer probabilities.

DOI
10.1063/1.4891972

Related papers

Non-additive probabilities and quantum logic in finite quantum systems

Apostol Vourdas

A quantum system Σ( d ) with variables in Z( d ) and with Hilbert space H ( d ), is considered. It is shown that the additivity relation of Kolmogorov probabilities, is not valid in the Birkhoff-von Neumann orthocomplemented modular lattice of subspaces L ( d ). A second lattice Λ( d ) which is distributive and contains the subsystems of Σ( d ) is also considered. It is shown that in this case also, the additivity relation of Kolmogorov probabilities is not valid. This suggests that a more general (than Kolmogorov) probability theory is needed, and here we adopt the Dempster-Shafer probability theory. In both of these lattices, there are sublattices which are Boolean algebras, and within these 'islands' quantum probabilities are additive.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Apr 13, 2015•3 citations

Lower and upper probabilities in the distributive lattice of subsystems

Apostol Vourdas

The set of subsystems Σ m ( ) of a finite quantum system Σ n ( ) (with variables in  n ( )) together with logical connectives, is a distributive lattice.With regard to this lattice, the) Tr( ( ) ) n n (where P m ( ) is the projector to Σ m ( )) obeys a supermodularity inequality, and it is interpreted as a lower probability in the sense of the Dempster-Shafer theory, and not as a Kolmogorov probability.It is shown that the basic concepts of the Dempster--Shafer theory (lower and upper probabilities and the Dempster multivaluedness) are pertinent to the quantum formalism of finite systems.

arXiv:1410.2040•Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical•Aug 12, 2014•9 citations

Probability in quantum mechanics

J. V. Corbett

Quantum mechanics is usually described in the terminology of probability theory even though the properties of the probability spaces associated with it are fundamentally different from the standard ones of probability theory. For example, Kolmogorov's axioms are not general enough to encompass the non-commutative situations that arise in quantum theory. There have been many attempts to generalise these axioms to meet the needs of quantum mechanics. The focus of these attempts has been the observation, first made by Birkhoff and von Neumann (1936), that the propositions associated with a quantum-mechanical system do not form a Boolean σ-algebra. There is almost universal agreement that the probability space associated with a quantum-mechanical system is given by the set of subspaces of a separable Hilbert space, but there is disagreement over the algebraic structure that this set represents. In the most popular model for the probability space of quantum mechanics the propositions are assumed to form an orthocomplemented lattice (Mackey (1963), Jauch (1968)). The fundamental concept here is that of a partial order, that is a binary relation that is reflexive and transitive but not symmetric. The partial order is interpreted as embodying the logical concept of implication in the set of propositions associated with the physical system. Although this model provides an acceptable mathematical expression of the probabilistic structure of quantum mechanics in that the subspaces of a separable Hilbert space give a representation of an ortho-complemented lattice, it has several deficiencies which will be discussed later.

Advances in Applied Probability•Dec 1, 1978•1 citation

Sublattices and Δ-blocks of orthomodular posets

Ivan Chajda, Helmut Länger

Abstract States of quantum systems correspond to vectors in a Hilbert space and observations to closed subspaces. Hence, this logic corresponds to the algebra of closed subspaces of a Hilbert space. This can be considered as a complete lattice with orthocomplementation, but it is not distributive. It satisfies a weaker condition, the so-called orthomodularity. Later on, it was recognized that joins in this structure need not exist provided the subspaces are not orthogonal. Hence, the resulting structure need not be a lattice but a so-called orthomodular poset, more generally an orthoposet only. For orthoposets, we introduce a binary relation $\mathrel \Delta$ and a binary operator $d(x,y)$ that are generalizations of the binary relation $\textrm{C}$ and the commutator $c(x,y)$, respectively, known for orthomodular lattices. We characterize orthomodular posets among orthogonal posets. Moreover, we describe connections between the relations $\mathrel \Delta$ and $\leftrightarrow$ (the latter was introduced by P. Pták and S. Pulmannová) and the operator $d(x,y)$. In addition, we investigate certain orthomodular posets of subsets of a finite set. In particular, we describe maximal orthomodular sublattices and Boolean subalgebras of such orthomodular posets. Finally, we study properties of $\Delta$-blocks with respect to Boolean subalgebras and distributive subposets they include.

arXiv:2004.01962•Journal of Logic and Computation•Jun 25, 2020•0 citations

Quantum Logic

Peter Mittelstaedt

It has been shown by Birkhoff and v. Neumann (1936) and by Jauch and Piron (1963,1964,1968) that the subspaces of Hilbert space constitute an orthocomplemented quasi-modular lattice Lq, if one considers between two subspaces (elements) a, b the relation a⊆b and the operations a∩b, a∪b, a⊥. Furthermore, since the subspaces can be interpreted as quantum mechanical propositions, and since the operations ∩,∪ ,⊥ have some similarity with the logical operations ⋀ (and), ⋁ (or) and ⌝ (not), the question has been raised already by Birkhoff and v. Neumann, whether the lattice of subspaces of Hilbert space can be interpreted as a propositional calculus, sometimes called quantum logic. There are many kinds of lattices which can be interpreted as a propositional or logical calculus. A Boolean lattice LB of propositions corresponds to the calculus of classical logic and an implicative (Birkhoff, 1961) lattice Li has as a model the calculus of effective (intuitionistic) logic.

PSA Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association•Jan 1, 1974•0 citations

Probabilistic inequalities and measurements in bipartite systems

Apostol Vourdas

Abstract Various inequalities (Boole inequality, Chung–Erdös inequality, Frechet inequality) for Kolmogorov (classical) probabilities are considered. Quantum counterparts of these inequalities are introduced, which have an extra ‘quantum correction’ term, and which hold for all quantum states. When certain sufficient conditions are satisfied, the quantum correction term is zero, and the classical version of these inequalities holds for all states. But in general, the classical version of these inequalities is violated by some of the quantum states. For example in bipartite systems, classical Boole inequalities hold for all rank one (factorizable) states, and are violated by some rank two (entangled) states. A logical approach to CHSH inequalities (which are related to the Frechet inequalities), is studied in this context. It is shown that CHSH inequalities hold for all rank one (factorizable) states, and are violated by some rank two (entangled) states. The reduction of the rank of a pure state by a quantum measurement with both orthogonal and coherent projectors, is studied. Bounds for the average rank reduction are given.

arXiv:1903.06591•Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical•Jan 15, 2019•8 citations
The orthocomplemented modular lattice of subspaces L[H(d)]{\cal L}[H(d)]L[H(d)]L[H(d)], of a quantum system with d-dimensional Hilbert space H(d), is considered. A generalized additivity relation which holds for Kolmogorov probabilities is violated by quantum probabilities in the full lattice L[H(d)]{\cal L}[H(d)]L[H(d)]L[H(d)] (it is only valid within the Boolean subalgebras of L[H(d)]{\cal L}[H(d)]L[H(d)]L[H(d)]). This suggests the use of more general (than Kolmogorov) probability theories, and here the Dempster-Shafer probability theory is adopted. An operator D(H1,H2){\mathfrak {D}}(H_1, H_2)D(H1​,H2​)D(H1,H2), which quantifies deviations from Kolmogorov probability theory is introduced, and it is shown to be intimately related to the commutator of the projectors P(H1),P(H2){\mathfrak {P}}(H_1), {\mathfrak {P}}(H_2)P(H1​),P(H2​)P(H1),P(H2), to the subspaces H1, H2. As an application, it is shown that the proof of the inequalities of Clauser, Horne, Shimony, and Holt for a system of two spin 1/2 particles is valid for Kolmogorov probabilities, but it is not valid for Dempster-Shafer probabilities. The violation of these inequalities in experiments supports the interpretation of quantum probabilities as Dempster-Shafer probabilities.
A quantum system Σ( d ) with variables in Z( d ) and with Hilbert space H ( d ), is considered. It is shown that the additivity relation of Kolmogorov probabilities, is not valid in the Birkhoff-von Neumann orthocomplemented modular lattice of subspaces L ( d ). A second lattice Λ( d ) which is distributive and contains the subsystems of Σ( d ) is also considered. It is shown that in this case also, the additivity relation of Kolmogorov probabilities is not valid. This suggests that a more general (than Kolmogorov) probability theory is needed, and here we adopt the Dempster-Shafer probability theory. In both of these lattices, there are sublattices which are Boolean algebras, and within these 'islands' quantum probabilities are additive.
The set of subsystems Σ m ( ) of a finite quantum system Σ n ( ) (with variables in  n ( )) together with logical connectives, is a distributive lattice.With regard to this lattice, the) Tr( ( ) ) n n (where P m ( ) is the projector to Σ m ( )) obeys a supermodularity inequality, and it is interpreted as a lower probability in the sense of the Dempster-Shafer theory, and not as a Kolmogorov probability.It is shown that the basic concepts of the Dempster--Shafer theory (lower and upper probabilities and the Dempster multivaluedness) are pertinent to the quantum formalism of finite systems.
Quantum mechanics is usually described in the terminology of probability theory even though the properties of the probability spaces associated with it are fundamentally different from the standard ones of probability theory. For example, Kolmogorov's axioms are not general enough to encompass the non-commutative situations that arise in quantum theory. There have been many attempts to generalise these axioms to meet the needs of quantum mechanics. The focus of these attempts has been the observation, first made by Birkhoff and von Neumann (1936), that the propositions associated with a quantum-mechanical system do not form a Boolean σ-algebra. There is almost universal agreement that the probability space associated with a quantum-mechanical system is given by the set of subspaces of a separable Hilbert space, but there is disagreement over the algebraic structure that this set represents. In the most popular model for the probability space of quantum mechanics the propositions are assumed to form an orthocomplemented lattice (Mackey (1963), Jauch (1968)). The fundamental concept here is that of a partial order, that is a binary relation that is reflexive and transitive but not symmetric. The partial order is interpreted as embodying the logical concept of implication in the set of propositions associated with the physical system. Although this model provides an acceptable mathematical expression of the probabilistic structure of quantum mechanics in that the subspaces of a separable Hilbert space give a representation of an ortho-complemented lattice, it has several deficiencies which will be discussed later.
Abstract States of quantum systems correspond to vectors in a Hilbert space and observations to closed subspaces. Hence, this logic corresponds to the algebra of closed subspaces of a Hilbert space. This can be considered as a complete lattice with orthocomplementation, but it is not distributive. It satisfies a weaker condition, the so-called orthomodularity. Later on, it was recognized that joins in this structure need not exist provided the subspaces are not orthogonal. Hence, the resulting structure need not be a lattice but a so-called orthomodular poset, more generally an orthoposet only. For orthoposets, we introduce a binary relation Δ\mathrel \DeltaΔ and a binary operator d(x,y)d(x,y)d(x,y) that are generalizations of the binary relation C\textrm{C}C and the commutator c(x,y)c(x,y)c(x,y), respectively, known for orthomodular lattices. We characterize orthomodular posets among orthogonal posets. Moreover, we describe connections between the relations Δ\mathrel \DeltaΔ and ↔\leftrightarrow↔ (the latter was introduced by P. Pták and S. Pulmannová) and the operator d(x,y)d(x,y)d(x,y). In addition, we investigate certain orthomodular posets of subsets of a finite set. In particular, we describe maximal orthomodular sublattices and Boolean subalgebras of such orthomodular posets. Finally, we study properties of Δ\DeltaΔ-blocks with respect to Boolean subalgebras and distributive subposets they include.
It has been shown by Birkhoff and v. Neumann (1936) and by Jauch and Piron (1963,1964,1968) that the subspaces of Hilbert space constitute an orthocomplemented quasi-modular lattice Lq, if one considers between two subspaces (elements) a, b the relation a⊆b and the operations a∩b, a∪b, a⊥. Furthermore, since the subspaces can be interpreted as quantum mechanical propositions, and since the operations ∩,∪ ,⊥ have some similarity with the logical operations ⋀ (and), ⋁ (or) and ⌝ (not), the question has been raised already by Birkhoff and v. Neumann, whether the lattice of subspaces of Hilbert space can be interpreted as a propositional calculus, sometimes called quantum logic. There are many kinds of lattices which can be interpreted as a propositional or logical calculus. A Boolean lattice LB of propositions corresponds to the calculus of classical logic and an implicative (Birkhoff, 1961) lattice Li has as a model the calculus of effective (intuitionistic) logic.
Abstract Various inequalities (Boole inequality, Chung–Erdös inequality, Frechet inequality) for Kolmogorov (classical) probabilities are considered. Quantum counterparts of these inequalities are introduced, which have an extra ‘quantum correction’ term, and which hold for all quantum states. When certain sufficient conditions are satisfied, the quantum correction term is zero, and the classical version of these inequalities holds for all states. But in general, the classical version of these inequalities is violated by some of the quantum states. For example in bipartite systems, classical Boole inequalities hold for all rank one (factorizable) states, and are violated by some rank two (entangled) states. A logical approach to CHSH inequalities (which are related to the Frechet inequalities), is studied in this context. It is shown that CHSH inequalities hold for all rank one (factorizable) states, and are violated by some rank two (entangled) states. The reduction of the rank of a pure state by a quantum measurement with both orthogonal and coherent projectors, is studied. Bounds for the average rank reduction are given.