A classical problem in axiomatic quantum mechanics is deducing a Hilbert space realization for a quantum logic that admits a vector space coordinatization of the Piron–McLaren type. Our aim is to show how a theorem of M. Solér [Characterization of Hilbert spaces by orthomodular spaces, Comm. Algebra23 (1995) 219–243.] can be used to get a (partial) solution of this problem. We first derive a generalization of the Wigner theorem on symmetry transformations that holds already in the Piron–McLaren frame. Then we investigate which conditions on the quantum logic allow the use of Solér's theorem in order to obtain a Hilbert space solution for the coordinatization problem.
A classical problem in axiomatic quantum mechanics is deducing a Hilbert space realization for a quantum logic that admits a vector space coordinatization of the Piron–McLaren type. Our aim is to show how a theorem of M. Solér [Characterization of Hilbert spaces by orthomodular spaces, Comm. Algebra23 (1995) 219–243.] can be used to get a (partial) solution of this problem. We first derive a generalization of the Wigner theorem on symmetry transformations that holds already in the Piron–McLaren frame. Then we investigate which conditions on the quantum logic allow the use of Solér's theorem in order to obtain a Hilbert space solution for the coordinatization problem.
As earlier conjectured by several authors and much later established by Solèr (relying on partial results by Piron, Maeda–Maeda and other authors), from the lattice theory point of view, Quantum Mechanics may be formulated in real, complex or quaternionic Hilbert spaces only. Stückelberg provided some physical, but not mathematically rigorous, reasons for ruling out the real Hilbert space formulation, assuming that any formulation should encompass a statement of Heisenberg principle. Focusing on this issue from another — in our opinion, deeper — viewpoint, we argue that there is a general fundamental reason why elementary quantum systems are not described in real Hilbert spaces. It is their basic symmetry group. In the first part of the paper, we consider an elementary relativistic system within Wigner’s approach defined as a locally-faithful irreducible strongly-continuous unitary representation of the Poincaré group in a real Hilbert space. We prove that, if the squared-mass operator is non-negative, the system admits a natural, Poincaré invariant and unique up to sign, complex structure which commutes with the whole algebra of observables generated by the representation itself. This complex structure leads to a physically equivalent reformulation of the theory in a complex Hilbert space. Within this complex formulation, differently from what happens in the real one, all selfadjoint operators represent observables in accordance with Solèr’s thesis, and the standard quantum version of Noether theorem may be formulated. In the second part of this work, we focus on the physical hypotheses adopted to define a quantum elementary relativistic system relaxing them on the one hand, and making our model physically more general on the other hand. We use a physically more accurate notion of irreducibility regarding the algebra of observables only, we describe the symmetries in terms of automorphisms of the restricted lattice of elementary propositions of the quantum system and we adopt a notion of continuity referred to the states viewed as probability measures on the elementary propositions. Also in this case, the final result proves that there exists a unique (up to sign) Poincaré invariant complex structure making the theory complex and completely fitting into Solèr’s picture. This complex structure reveals a nice interplay of Poincaré symmetry and the classification of the commutant of irreducible real von Neumann algebras.
A generalization of Wigner's representation theorem is presented that may be applied when superselection rules (of a specified character) must be taken into account. At the same time some gaps in existing proofs of Wigner's theorem are eliminated. The connection between Wigner,s theorem and the so called fundamental theorem of projective geometry is pointed out, and a new, short proof of the latter theorem (valid for an arbitrary field of numbers) is presented. The equivalent possibilities of characterizing symmetry transformations as mappings leaving invariant the logical structure of quantum mechanics, as isometric linear or conjugated linear transformations connecting two complex Hilbert spaces, or as mappings leaving invariant the algebraic structure of quantum mechanics (or equivalently the structure of the equations of motion) are discussed and lead to an invariant (coordinate free) characterization of reversal of the direction of motion (time inversion). An analogue of Wigner's theorem for symmetry transformations in the recently discussed quaternion quantum mechanics is proved in an appendix, and it is pointed out how quaternion quantum mechanics, as well as ordinary complex quantum mechanics, may be consistently represented in the framework of real quantum mechanics, which in this sense appears as a super theory. The symmetry transformationsmore » of classical mechanics are discussed in relation to their quantum mechanical analogues in another appendix. They are intimately connected with the canonical formalism. (auth)« less
As earlier conjectured by several authors and much later established by Solèr, from the lattice-theory point of view, Quantum Mechanics may be formulated in real, complex or quaternionic Hilbert spaces only. On the other hand, no quantum systems seem to exist that are naturally described in a real or quaternionic Hilbert space. In a previous paper [23], we showed that any quantum system which is elementary from the viewpoint of the Poincaré symmetry group and it is initially described in a real Hilbert space, it can also be described within the standard complex Hilbert space framework. This complex description is unique and more precise than the real one as, for instance, in the complex description, all self-adjoint operators represent observables defined by the symmetry group. The complex picture fulfils the thesis of Solér’s theorem and permits the standard formulation of the quantum Noether’s theorem. The present work is devoted to investigate the remaining case, namely, the possibility of a description of a relativistic elementary quantum system in a quaternionic Hilbert space. Everything is done exploiting recent results of the quaternionic spectral theory that were independently developed. In the initial part of this work, we extend some results of group representation theory and von Neumann algebra theory from the real and complex cases to the quaternionic Hilbert space case. We prove the double commutant theorem also for quaternionic von Neumann algebras (whose proof requires a different procedure with respect to the real and complex cases) and we extend to the quaternionic case a result established in the previous paper concerning the classification of irreducible von Neumann algebras into three categories. In the second part of the paper, we consider an elementary relativistic system within Wigner’s approach defined as a locally-faithful irreducible strongly-continuous unitary representation of the Poincaré group in a quaternionic Hilbert space. We prove that, if the squared-mass operator is non-negative, the system admits a natural, Poincaré invariant and unique up to sign, complex structure which commutes with the whole algebra of observables generated by the representation itself. This complex structure leads to a physically equivalent reformulation of the theory in a complex Hilbert space. Within this complex formulation, differently from what happens in the quaternionic one, all self-adjoint operators represent observables in agreement with Solèr’s thesis, the standard quantum version of Noether theorem may be formulated and the notion of composite system may be given in terms of tensor product of elementary systems. In the third part of the paper, we focus on the physical hypotheses adopted to define a quantum elementary relativistic system relaxing them on the one hand, and making our model physically more general on the other hand. We use a physically more accurate notion of irreducibility regarding the algebra of observables only, we describe the symmetries in terms of automorphisms of the restricted lattice of elementary propositions of the quantum system and we adopt a notion of continuity referred to the states viewed as probability measures on the elementary propositions. Also in this case, the final result proves that there exists a unique (up to sign) Poincaré invariant complex structure making the theory complex and completely fitting into Solèr’s picture. The overall conclusion is that relativistic elementary systems are naturally and better described in complex Hilbert spaces even if starting from a real or quaternionic Hilbert space formulation and this complex description is uniquely fixed by physics.
Abstract Quantum analogues of sets are defined by two simple assumptions, allowing enumeration, reminiscent of the Gram–Schmidt orthogonalization process. It is shown that any symmetric quantum set is a classical set of irreducible components, and that each irreducible component of size >3 is representable by an orthomodular space over a skew field with involution. For finite or sufficiently large irreducible components, invariance of quantum cardinality is proved. Topological quantum sets are introduced as quantum analogues of topological spaces; irreducible ones of size >3 are shown to be representable by Hilbert spaces over R, C, or H. Symmetric quantum sets are characterized as a class of L-algebras with an intrinsic geometry, and they are shown to be equivalent to Piron’s quantum formalism. Equivalences between symmetric quantum sets and several other structures are established. To any symmetric quantum set, a group with a right invariant lattice structure is associated as a complete invariant. A simple and self-contained proof of Solèr’s theorem is included, which is used to prove that sufficiently large irreducible symmetric quantum sets come from a classical Hilbert space.