The Arrow of Time in Quantum Theories

H. D. Zeh

Alan Forrester

Most attempts to argue for the second law of thermodynamics fail because (1) they use the unviable frequency theory of probability and (2) they do not explain why the arrow of time seen in experiments is aligned with the thermodynamic arrow of time. I use the decision theoretic interpretation of quantum probability from the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics to solve the probability problem. I then derive a correlation between the knowledge arrow of time and the entropy arrow of time using physical constraints on knowledge creation imposed by Popper's evolutionary theory of knowledge and the many worlds interpretation.

H. D. Zeh

Vadim V. Asadov, Oleg V. Kechkin

In this paper we have studied a generalized quantum theory and its consistent classical limit, which possess a well-defined arrow of time in their dynamics. The original quantum theory is defined as analytically dependent on complex time and specified by non-Hermitian Hamiltonian structure.

Arno Böhm, Raymond Scurek

The observed probabilities of quantum mechanics possess a time asymmetry which is based on the truism that a state must be prepared before an observable can be measured in it. While Hilbert space quantum theory cannot incorporate this arrow of time, the Rigged Hilbert Space (RHS) formulation of quantum mechanics provides a theory of time symmetric as well as time asymmetric quantum physics.