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

Philosophy of Science

A General Conceptual Framework for Decoherence in Closed and Open Systems

Mario Castagnino, Roberto Laura, Olímpia Lombardi

Published Dec 1, 2007• 43 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper we argue that the formalisms for decoherence originally devised to deal just with closed or open systems can be subsumed under a general conceptual framework, in such a way that they cooperate in the understanding of the same physical phenomenon. This new perspective dissolves certain conceptual difficulties of the einselection program but, at the same time, shows that the openness of the quantum system is not the essential ingredient for decoherence.

DOI
10.1086/525637

Related papers

Decoherence: A Closed-System Approach

Sebastián Fortín, Olímpia Lombardi, Mario Castagnino

The aim of this paper is to review a new perspective about decoherence, according to which formalisms originally devised to deal just with closed or open systems can be subsumed under a closed-system approach that generalizes the traditional account of the phenomenon. This new viewpoint dissolves certain conceptual difficulties of the orthodox open-system approach but, at the same time, shows that the openness of the quantum system is not the essential ingredient for decoherence, as commonly claimed. Moreover, when the behavior of a decoherent system is described from a closed-system perspective, the account of decoherence turns out to be more general than that supplied by the open-system approach, and the quantum-to-classical transition defines unequivocally the realm of classicality by identifying the observables with classical-like behavior.

•Aug 20, 2013•11 citations

A general theoretical framework for decoherence in open and closed systems

Mario Castagnino, Sebastián Fortín, Roberto Laura +1 more

A general theoretical framework for decoherence is proposed, which encompasses formalisms originally devised to deal just with open or with closed systems. The conditions for decoherence are clearly stated and the relaxation and decoherence times are compared. Finally, the spin-bath model is developed in detail from the new perspective.

arXiv:0907.1337•Classical and Quantum Gravity•Jul 22, 2008•31 citations

Decoherence as a relative phenomenon: a generalization of the spin-bath model

Mario Castagnino, Sebastián Fortín, Olímpia Lombardi

In this paper we propose a closed-system perspective to study decoherence. From this perspective we analyze the spin-bath model as presented in the literature, and a natural generalization of that model. On the basis of the results obtained from that analysis, we argue that decoherence may be understood as a phenomenon relative to the partition of a closed system, selected in each particular case. This viewpoint frees the decoherence program from certain conceptual difficulties derived from its open-system perspective. We also argue that the usual picture of decoherence in terms of energy dissipation is misguided.

arXiv:0907.1933•Jul 11, 2009•1 citation

Decoherence in closed and open systems

Mario Castagnino, Roberto Laura, Olímpia Lombardi

A generalized formal framework for decoherence, that can be used both in open and closed quantum systems, is sketched. In this context, the relationship between the decoherence of a closed system and the decoherence of its subsystems is studied, and the corresponding decoherence times are defined: for macroscopic systems, the decoherence time of the closed system is much greater than the decoherence time of its subsystems. Finally, it is shown that the application of the new formal framework to a well-known model leads to physically adequate results.

arXiv:quant-ph/0601132•Jan 19, 2006•3 citations

A Top-down View of the Classical Limit of Quantum Mechanics

Sebastián Fortín, Olímpia Lombardi

At present there is a consensus about the fact that the emergence of the classical world from the underlying quantum reality involves the physical phenomenon of decoherence, which is usually studied in the version proposed by Zurek and his collaborators. According to this version, decoherence is a process resulting from the interaction between a quantum system and its environment (environment-induced decoherence, EID); this process singles out the observables that receive definite classical values. The aim of this paper is to propose a top-down approach to decoherence, which takes the perspective of the whole closed system, and considers whether each set of degrees of freedom decoheres or not. This approach is more general than the orthodox open-system perspective and dissolves some of its conceptual problems. Although decoherence becomes relative to the way in which the closed system is decomposed, the quantum-to-classical transition defines unequivocally the realm of classicality by identifying the observables with classical-like behavior.

WORLD SCIENTIFIC (EUROPE) eBooks•Nov 14, 2016•10 citations

The Relative Nature of Open Quantum Systems

Olímpia Lombardi

Abstract In the classical framework, not only can systems be identified by their space-time location, but they also possess mutually independent existences: they are individuals in the philosophical meaning of the concept. In the quantum domain, by contrast, matters are no so easy. Quantum systems cannot be labelled. Nor can they be assigned precise trajectories. Moreover, after interacting, quantum systems become interrelated in a way that does not diminish with either time or space: quantum correlations challenge the independent existence of the subsystems of a composite quantum system. Therefore, in the quantum framework the identification of open systems is a subtle issue. In this chapter I will emphasise the relative nature of open quantum systems in standard quantum mechanics by pointing out how this relativity is manifested under different forms: the relativity of entanglement, the identification of systems in decoherence, and the many ways in which a quantum system can be decomposed. Therefore, any view that considers open quantum systems as fundamental must take this relativity into account. The general purpose is to argue that the closed systems view and the open-system view are complementary approaches that need not be considered rival.

•Apr 15, 2026•0 citations
In this paper we argue that the formalisms for decoherence originally devised to deal just with closed or open systems can be subsumed under a general conceptual framework, in such a way that they cooperate in the understanding of the same physical phenomenon. This new perspective dissolves certain conceptual difficulties of the einselection program but, at the same time, shows that the openness of the quantum system is not the essential ingredient for decoherence.
The aim of this paper is to review a new perspective about decoherence, according to which formalisms originally devised to deal just with closed or open systems can be subsumed under a closed-system approach that generalizes the traditional account of the phenomenon. This new viewpoint dissolves certain conceptual difficulties of the orthodox open-system approach but, at the same time, shows that the openness of the quantum system is not the essential ingredient for decoherence, as commonly claimed. Moreover, when the behavior of a decoherent system is described from a closed-system perspective, the account of decoherence turns out to be more general than that supplied by the open-system approach, and the quantum-to-classical transition defines unequivocally the realm of classicality by identifying the observables with classical-like behavior.
In this paper we propose a closed-system perspective to study decoherence. From this perspective we analyze the spin-bath model as presented in the literature, and a natural generalization of that model. On the basis of the results obtained from that analysis, we argue that decoherence may be understood as a phenomenon relative to the partition of a closed system, selected in each particular case. This viewpoint frees the decoherence program from certain conceptual difficulties derived from its open-system perspective. We also argue that the usual picture of decoherence in terms of energy dissipation is misguided.
A generalized formal framework for decoherence, that can be used both in open and closed quantum systems, is sketched. In this context, the relationship between the decoherence of a closed system and the decoherence of its subsystems is studied, and the corresponding decoherence times are defined: for macroscopic systems, the decoherence time of the closed system is much greater than the decoherence time of its subsystems. Finally, it is shown that the application of the new formal framework to a well-known model leads to physically adequate results.
At present there is a consensus about the fact that the emergence of the classical world from the underlying quantum reality involves the physical phenomenon of decoherence, which is usually studied in the version proposed by Zurek and his collaborators. According to this version, decoherence is a process resulting from the interaction between a quantum system and its environment (environment-induced decoherence, EID); this process singles out the observables that receive definite classical values. The aim of this paper is to propose a top-down approach to decoherence, which takes the perspective of the whole closed system, and considers whether each set of degrees of freedom decoheres or not. This approach is more general than the orthodox open-system perspective and dissolves some of its conceptual problems. Although decoherence becomes relative to the way in which the closed system is decomposed, the quantum-to-classical transition defines unequivocally the realm of classicality by identifying the observables with classical-like behavior.
Abstract In the classical framework, not only can systems be identified by their space-time location, but they also possess mutually independent existences: they are individuals in the philosophical meaning of the concept. In the quantum domain, by contrast, matters are no so easy. Quantum systems cannot be labelled. Nor can they be assigned precise trajectories. Moreover, after interacting, quantum systems become interrelated in a way that does not diminish with either time or space: quantum correlations challenge the independent existence of the subsystems of a composite quantum system. Therefore, in the quantum framework the identification of open systems is a subtle issue. In this chapter I will emphasise the relative nature of open quantum systems in standard quantum mechanics by pointing out how this relativity is manifested under different forms: the relativity of entanglement, the identification of systems in decoherence, and the many ways in which a quantum system can be decomposed. Therefore, any view that considers open quantum systems as fundamental must take this relativity into account. The general purpose is to argue that the closed systems view and the open-system view are complementary approaches that need not be considered rival.