Here we clarify the assumptions made and conclusions reached in our paper "The thermodynamical cost of some interpretations of quantum theory" [Phys. Rev. A 94, 052127 (2016)], at the light of the criticisms of Prunkl and Timpson [Stud. Hist. Philos. Sci. Part B 63, 114 (2018)], and Davidsson (Master thesis, Stockholm University, 2018). We point out some misunderstandings and some weaknesses of the counterexample Prunkl and Timpson present to challenge our conclusion. We thus conclude, once more, that interpretations of quantum theory which consider the probabilities of measurement outcomes to be determined by objective properties of the measured system and satisfy the assumption that the measured system only has finite memory have a thermodynamical cost.Here we clarify the assumptions made and conclusions reached in our paper "The thermodynamical cost of some interpretations of quantum theory" [Phys. Rev. A 94, 052127 (2016)], at the light of the criticisms of Prunkl and Timpson [Stud. Hist. Philos. Sci. Part B 63, 114 (2018)], and Davidsson (Master thesis, Stockholm University, 2018). We point out some misunderstandings and some weaknesses of the counterexample Prunkl and Timpson present to challenge our conclusion. We thus conclude, once more, that interpretations of quantum theory which consider the probabilities of measurement outcomes to be determined by objective properties of the measured system and satisfy the assumption that the measured system only has finite memory have a thermodynamical cost.

arXiv:1901.00925Jan 3, 20190 citations

S-matrix interpretation in categorical quantum mechanics

Xiao-Kan Guo

We study the $S$ -matrix interpretation of quantum theory in light of Categotical Quantum Mechanics. The $S$ -matrix interpretation of quantum theory is shown to be a functorial semantics relating the algebras of quantum theory to the effective $S$ -matrix formalism. Consequently, issues such as state reduction and entanglement generation can be depicted in a simple manner. Moreover, this categorical $S$ -matrix interpretation does not have the alleged thermodynamic cost.We study the $S$-matrix interpretation of quantum theory in light of Categotical Quantum Mechanics. The $S$-matrix interpretation of quantum theory is shown to be a functorial semantics relating the algebras of quantum theory to the effective $S$-matrix formalism. Consequently, issues such as state reduction and entanglement generation can be depicted in a simple manner. Moreover, this categorical $S$-matrix interpretation does not have the alleged thermodynamic cost.

arXiv:1708.09383Aug 30, 20170 citations

The foundations of quantum mechanics and the approach to thermodynamic equilibrium

David Z. Albert

ErkenntnisSep 1, 199411 citations

Two approaches to quantum Generalization of thermodynamics

O. N. Golubjeva, Alexander D. Sukhanov, Umanskaja Zh.V.

Jan 1, 20100 citations

Thermodynamical cost of some interpretations of quantum theory

Adán Cabello, Mile Gu, Otfried Gühne +2 more

The interpretation of quantum theory is one of the longest-standing debates in physics. Type I interpretations see quantum probabilities as determined by intrinsic properties of the observed system. Type II see them as relational experiences between an observer and the system. It is usually believed that a decision between these two options cannot be made simply on purely physical grounds but requires an act of metaphysical judgment. Here we show that, under some assumptions, the problem is decidable using thermodynamics. We prove that type I interpretations are incompatible with the following assumptions: (i) The choice of which measurement is performed can be made randomly and independently of the system under observation, (ii) the system has limited memory, and (iii) Landauer's erasure principle holds.The interpretation of quantum theory is one of the longest-standing debates in physics. Type I interpretations see quantum probabilities as determined by intrinsic properties of the observed system. Type II see them as relational experiences between an observer and the system. It is usually believed that a decision between these two options cannot be made simply on purely physical grounds but requires an act of metaphysical judgment. Here we show that, under some assumptions, the problem is decidable using thermodynamics. We prove that type I interpretations are incompatible with the following assumptions: (i) The choice of which measurement is performed can be made randomly and independently of the system under observation, (ii) the system has limited memory, and (iii) Landauer's erasure principle holds.

arXiv:1509.03641Physical Review ANov 23, 201636 citations

We study the

S

-matrix interpretation of quantum theory in light of Categotical Quantum Mechanics. The

S

-matrix interpretation of quantum theory is shown to be a functorial semantics relating the algebras of quantum theory to the effective

S

-matrix formalism. Consequently, issues such as state reduction and entanglement generation can be depicted in a simple manner. Moreover, this categorical

S

-matrix interpretation does not have the alleged thermodynamic cost.