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

Journal of the Physical Society of Japan

The Irreversibility Inherent in Quantum Mechanics

Yutaka Toyozawa

Published Jul 15, 1989• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Arguments are presented for the viewpoint that irreversibility is inherent in quanturn mechanics, irrespective of the number of particles participating. This fact is related to the notion of transition–ramifying evolution–which is characteristic of quantum mechanics. It is in contrast to classical mechanics based on the notion of orbit, where the irreversibility arises only as the result of a large number of particles or a certain complexity of the system. The statistical assumption needed for the derivation of irreversibility in classical mechanics is absorbed into the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics, and is revived as inherent irreversibility. The statements conform with the parallelism of quantum mechanics and classical statistical mechanics emphasized in a previous report.

DOI
10.1143/jpsj.58.2215

Related papers

Probability and Irreversibility in Modern Statistical Mechanics: Classical and Quantum

David Wallace

Through extended consideration of two wide classes of case studies -- dilute gases and linear systems -- I explore the ways in which assumptions of probability and irreversibility occur in contemporary statistical mechanics, where the latter is understood as primarily concerned with the derivation of quantitative higher-level equations of motion, and only derivatively with underpinning the equilibrium concept in thermodynamics. I argue that at least in this wide class of examples, (i) irreversibility is introduced through a reasonably well-defined initial-state condition which does not precisely map onto those in the extant philosophical literature; (ii) probability is explicitly required both in the foundations and in the predictions of the theory. I then consider the same examples, as well as the more general context, in the light of quantum mechanics, and demonstrate that while the analysis of irreversibility is largely unaffected by quantum considerations, the notion of statistical-mechanical probability is entirely reduced to quantum-mechanical probability.

arXiv:2104.11223•Apr 22, 2021•26 citations

How complex is quantum motion?

Giuliano Benenti, Giulio Casati

In classical mechanics the complexity of a dynamical system is characterized by the rate of local exponential instability which effaces the memory of initial conditions and leads to practical irreversibility. In striking contrast, quantum mechanics appears to exhibit strong memory of the initial state. Here we introduce a notion of complexity for a quantum system and relate it to its stability and reversibility properties.

arXiv:0808.3243•Physical Review E•Feb 24, 2009•43 citations

Origins of randomness in statistical and quantum mechanics

Michael B. Weissman

There are three major sources of the 'randomness' underlying noise phenomena. These are the random outcomes of quantum 'measurement' processes, the random ensembles of statistical mechanics, and the algorithmic complexity of many dynamical processes. Here I dwell on the possible connections between the first two sources of randomness. It is often held that the empirical irreversibility of quantum measurement arises from statistical mechanics. I present somewhat speculative arguments that in fact the irreversible approach to statistical ensembles may be rooted in an irreversible quantum decoherence process.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jun 7, 2007•0 citations

Entropy and Irreversibility in Classical and Quantum Mechanics

В. А. Антонов, Boris P. Kondratyev

Review of the irreversibility problem in modern physics with new researches is given. Some characteristics of the Markov chains are specified and the important property of monotonicity of a probability is formulated. Using one thin inequality, the behavior of relative entropy in the classical case is considered. Further we pass to studying of the irreversibility phenomena in quantum problems. By new method is received the Lindblad’s equation and its physical essence is explained. Deep analogy between the classical Markov processes and development described by the Lindblad’s equation is conducted. Using method of comparison of the Lind-blad’s equation with the linear Langevin equation we receive a system of differential equations, which are more general, than the Caldeira-Leggett equation. Here we consider quantum systems without inverse influ-ence on a surrounding background with high temperature. Quantum diffusion of a single particle is consid-ered and possible ways of the permission of the Schrödinger’s cat paradox and the role of an external world for the phenomena with quantum irreversibility are discussed. In spite of previous opinion we conclude that in the equilibrium environment is not necessary to postulate the processes with collapses of wave functions. Besides, we draw attention to the fact that the Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation does not always mean the restriction is usually the product of the average values of commuting variables. At last, some prospects in the problem of quantum irreversibility are discussed.

Journal of Modern Physics•Jan 1, 2011•2 citations

Irreversibility and the arrow of time

Jürg Martin Fröhlich

Within the general formalism of quantum theory irreversibility and the arrow of time and the in the evolution of various physical systems are studied. Irreversible behavior often manifests itself in the guise of “entropy production.” This motivates me to begin this chapter with a brief review of quantum-mechanical entropy, a subject that Elliott Lieb has made outstanding contributions to, followed by an enumeration of examples of irreversible behavior and of an arrow of time analyzed in later sections. Subsequently, a derivation of the laws of thermodynamics from (quantum) statistical mechanics, and, in particular, of the Second Law of thermodynamics, in the forms given to it by Clausius and Carnot, is presented. In a third part, results on diffusive (Brownian) motion of a quantum particle interacting with a quasi-free quantum-mechanical heat bath are reviewed. This is followed by an outline of a theory of friction by emission of Cherenkov radiation of sound waves in a system consisting of a particle moving through a Bose–Einstein condensate and interacting with it. In what may be the most important section of this chapter, the fundamental arrow of time inherent in Quantum Mechanics is discussed.

arXiv:2202.04619•EMS Press eBooks•Jun 29, 2022•5 citations

Stochastic models in classical and quantum mechanics

V. Yu. Terebizh

Characteristic features of the probabilistic models used in classical mechanics, statistical physics, and quantum theory are discussed. The viewpoint according to which there is no room for probabilities in Nature, as such, is consistently substantiated; the researcher is forced to introduce probabilistic concepts and the corresponding models in conditions that provide only partial predictability of the phenomena being studied. This approach allows one to achieve a consistent interpretation of some important physical phenomena, in particular, the relationship between instability and irreversibility in time, the stochastic evolution of systems in the theory of deterministic chaos, Boltzmann’s H -theorem, and paradoxes of quantum mechanics.

Bulletin of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory•Jun 1, 2010•0 citations
Arguments are presented for the viewpoint that irreversibility is inherent in quanturn mechanics, irrespective of the number of particles participating. This fact is related to the notion of transition–ramifying evolution–which is characteristic of quantum mechanics. It is in contrast to classical mechanics based on the notion of orbit, where the irreversibility arises only as the result of a large number of particles or a certain complexity of the system. The statistical assumption needed for the derivation of irreversibility in classical mechanics is absorbed into the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics, and is revived as inherent irreversibility. The statements conform with the parallelism of quantum mechanics and classical statistical mechanics emphasized in a previous report.
Through extended consideration of two wide classes of case studies -- dilute gases and linear systems -- I explore the ways in which assumptions of probability and irreversibility occur in contemporary statistical mechanics, where the latter is understood as primarily concerned with the derivation of quantitative higher-level equations of motion, and only derivatively with underpinning the equilibrium concept in thermodynamics. I argue that at least in this wide class of examples, (i) irreversibility is introduced through a reasonably well-defined initial-state condition which does not precisely map onto those in the extant philosophical literature; (ii) probability is explicitly required both in the foundations and in the predictions of the theory. I then consider the same examples, as well as the more general context, in the light of quantum mechanics, and demonstrate that while the analysis of irreversibility is largely unaffected by quantum considerations, the notion of statistical-mechanical probability is entirely reduced to quantum-mechanical probability.
There are three major sources of the 'randomness' underlying noise phenomena. These are the random outcomes of quantum 'measurement' processes, the random ensembles of statistical mechanics, and the algorithmic complexity of many dynamical processes. Here I dwell on the possible connections between the first two sources of randomness. It is often held that the empirical irreversibility of quantum measurement arises from statistical mechanics. I present somewhat speculative arguments that in fact the irreversible approach to statistical ensembles may be rooted in an irreversible quantum decoherence process.
Review of the irreversibility problem in modern physics with new researches is given. Some characteristics of the Markov chains are specified and the important property of monotonicity of a probability is formulated. Using one thin inequality, the behavior of relative entropy in the classical case is considered. Further we pass to studying of the irreversibility phenomena in quantum problems. By new method is received the Lindblad’s equation and its physical essence is explained. Deep analogy between the classical Markov processes and development described by the Lindblad’s equation is conducted. Using method of comparison of the Lind-blad’s equation with the linear Langevin equation we receive a system of differential equations, which are more general, than the Caldeira-Leggett equation. Here we consider quantum systems without inverse influ-ence on a surrounding background with high temperature. Quantum diffusion of a single particle is consid-ered and possible ways of the permission of the Schrödinger’s cat paradox and the role of an external world for the phenomena with quantum irreversibility are discussed. In spite of previous opinion we conclude that in the equilibrium environment is not necessary to postulate the processes with collapses of wave functions. Besides, we draw attention to the fact that the Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation does not always mean the restriction is usually the product of the average values of commuting variables. At last, some prospects in the problem of quantum irreversibility are discussed.
Within the general formalism of quantum theory irreversibility and the arrow of time and the in the evolution of various physical systems are studied. Irreversible behavior often manifests itself in the guise of “entropy production.” This motivates me to begin this chapter with a brief review of quantum-mechanical entropy, a subject that Elliott Lieb has made outstanding contributions to, followed by an enumeration of examples of irreversible behavior and of an arrow of time analyzed in later sections. Subsequently, a derivation of the laws of thermodynamics from (quantum) statistical mechanics, and, in particular, of the Second Law of thermodynamics, in the forms given to it by Clausius and Carnot, is presented. In a third part, results on diffusive (Brownian) motion of a quantum particle interacting with a quasi-free quantum-mechanical heat bath are reviewed. This is followed by an outline of a theory of friction by emission of Cherenkov radiation of sound waves in a system consisting of a particle moving through a Bose–Einstein condensate and interacting with it. In what may be the most important section of this chapter, the fundamental arrow of time inherent in Quantum Mechanics is discussed.
Characteristic features of the probabilistic models used in classical mechanics, statistical physics, and quantum theory are discussed. The viewpoint according to which there is no room for probabilities in Nature, as such, is consistently substantiated; the researcher is forced to introduce probabilistic concepts and the corresponding models in conditions that provide only partial predictability of the phenomena being studied. This approach allows one to achieve a consistent interpretation of some important physical phenomena, in particular, the relationship between instability and irreversibility in time, the stochastic evolution of systems in the theory of deterministic chaos, Boltzmann’s H -theorem, and paradoxes of quantum mechanics.