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

Foundations of Physics

Statistics, Symmetry, and the Conventionality of Indistinguishability in Quantum Mechanics

Darrin W.S. Belousek

Published Jan 1, 2000• 43 citations
Publisher
DOI
10.1023/a:1003658107978

Related papers

Is Indistinguishability in Quantum Mechanics Conventional?

Paul Teller, Michael L. G. Redhead

Foundations of Physics•Jun 1, 2000•20 citations

On the relation between indistinguishability of identical particles and (anti)symmetry of the wave function in quantum mechanics

Willem M. de Muynck, Gidi P. van Liempd

Synthese•Jun 1, 1986•4 citations

Quantum Statistics from Indistinguishability

Andrei Yu. Khrennikov

Springer eBooks•Jan 1, 2023•0 citations

Indistinguishability

Simon W. Saunders

This chapter analyzes permutation symmetry, focusing on the proper understanding of pchapter indistinguishability in classical statistical mechanics and in quantum theory. It shows that it is possible to treat the statistical mechanical statistics for classical pchapters as invariant under permutation symmetry and argues that while the concept of indistinguishable, permutation invariant, classical pchapters is coherent, it is in contradiction with many claims found in the literature. The chapter also contends that the concept of permutation symmetry should be considered in the same level as other symmetries and invariances of physical theories.

Oxford University Press eBooks•Feb 5, 2013•13 citations

Consistency of PT-symmetric quantum mechanics

Dorje C. Brody

Abstract In recent reports, suggestions have been put forward to the effect that parity and time-reversal (PT) symmetry in quantum mechanics is incompatible with causality. It is shown here, in contrast, that PT-symmetric quantum mechanics is fully consistent with standard quantum mechanics. This follows from the surprising fact that the much-discussed metric operator on Hilbert space is not physically observable. In particular, for closed quantum systems in finite dimensions there is no statistical test that one can perform on the outcomes of measurements to determine whether the Hamiltonian is Hermitian in the conventional sense, or PT-symmetric—the two theories are indistinguishable. Nontrivial physical effects arising as a consequence of PT symmetry are expected to be observed, nevertheless, for open quantum systems with balanced gain and loss.

arXiv:1508.02190•Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical•Jan 29, 2016•76 citations

THE STATISTICAL NATURE OF QUANTUM MECHANICS

James S. Albertson

The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science•Nov 1, 1962•1 citation
This chapter analyzes permutation symmetry, focusing on the proper understanding of pchapter indistinguishability in classical statistical mechanics and in quantum theory. It shows that it is possible to treat the statistical mechanical statistics for classical pchapters as invariant under permutation symmetry and argues that while the concept of indistinguishable, permutation invariant, classical pchapters is coherent, it is in contradiction with many claims found in the literature. The chapter also contends that the concept of permutation symmetry should be considered in the same level as other symmetries and invariances of physical theories.
Abstract In recent reports, suggestions have been put forward to the effect that parity and time-reversal (PT) symmetry in quantum mechanics is incompatible with causality. It is shown here, in contrast, that PT-symmetric quantum mechanics is fully consistent with standard quantum mechanics. This follows from the surprising fact that the much-discussed metric operator on Hilbert space is not physically observable. In particular, for closed quantum systems in finite dimensions there is no statistical test that one can perform on the outcomes of measurements to determine whether the Hamiltonian is Hermitian in the conventional sense, or PT-symmetric—the two theories are indistinguishable. Nontrivial physical effects arising as a consequence of PT symmetry are expected to be observed, nevertheless, for open quantum systems with balanced gain and loss.