Complementarity, Quantum Mechanics, and Quantum Field Theory

Arkady Plotnitsky

L. Rosenfeld

Jaroslaw Wojciech Wawrzycki

In this paper we will analyze the the status of gauge freedom in quantum mechanics (QM) and quantum field theory (QFT). Along with this analysis comparison with ordinary QFT will be given. We will show how the gauge freedom problem is connected with the spacetime coordinates status - the very point at which the difficulties of QM begin. A natural solution of the above mentioned problem will be proposed in which we give a slightly more general form of QM and QFT (in comparison to the ordinary QFT) with noncommutative structure of spacetime playing fundamental role in it. We achieve it by reinterpretation of the Bohr's complementarity principle on the one hand and by incorporation of our gauge freedom analysis on the other. We will present a generalization of the Bargmann's theory of exponents of ray representations. It will be given an example involving time dependent gauge freedom describing non-relativistic quantum particle in nonrelativistic gravitational field. In this example we infer the most general Schroedinger equation and prove equality of the (passive) inertial and the gravitational masses of quantum particle.

Arkady Plotnitsky

Marcos L. W. Basso

Bohr’s complementarity principle was introduced as a qualitative statement about quantum systems, which have properties that are equally real, but mutually exclusive. This principle, together with the uncertainty principle, is at the origin of Quantum Mechanics (QM), following the development of the theory since then. Another intriguing aspect of QM is entanglement, which is a type of correlation that is only possible within the mathematical formalism of QM. Its central importance in the Quantum foundations, as well as its important role in the fields of quantum information and quantum computation, has made the theory of entanglement achieve great progress in recent decades. In this dissertation we discuss the aspects and relations among complementarity relations, uncertainty, and entanglement. Such aspects are also investigated in relativistic scenarios, since the interest on how entanglement behaves in relativistic scenarios has grown more and more. First, by exploring the properties of the density operator, we obtain complementarity relations, using coherence measures well known in the literature. Next, we show that it is possible to obtain complete complementarity relations, i.e., relations that also take into account entanglement. For this, we explore the purity of a multipartite quantum system. In addition, we discuss the relation between complementarity and uncertainty of an observable, since it is possible to decompose uncertainty into its classical and quantum parts. We also obtain complementarity relations for uncertainty. Finally, we study the complete complementary relations and its Lorentz invariance. Although it is known that entanglement entropy does not remain invariant under Lorentz transformations, and neither does the measures that quantifies complementarity, we show that theses measures when taken together, in a complete complementarity relation, are Lorentz invariant.

Rob Clifton

Preface. In defense of dogma: why there cannot be a relativistic quantum mechanics of (localizable) particles D.B. Malament. Just how radical is hyperplane dependence? G. Fleming. Is there superluminal causation in relativistic quantum field theory? M. Redei. EPR, relativity, and the GHZ experiment C. Pagonis, et al. Hidden quantum non-locality N.D. Mermin. Royer's measurements - the rise and fall of (yet another) signalling scheme I. Pitowsky. Tails of Schrodinger's cat D.Z. Albert, B. Loewer. Wavefunction collapse models with nonwhite noise P. Pearle. The emergence of classical properties from quantum mechanics L.E. Ballentine. Relativism S. Saunders. Wave and particle concepts in quantum field theory P. Teller. The conceptual relation between standard quantum mechanics and quantum field theory D. Robinson. What measurement problem? J.T. Cushing. Bovine metaphysics: remarks on the significance of the gravitational phase effect in quantum mechanics H.R. Brown. Exotic (quixotic?) applications of Bohm theory R. Weingard. Complementarity and the orthodox (Dirac-von Neumann) interpretation of quantum mechanics J. Bub. Logical reflections on the Kochen-Specker theorem J.L. Bell. Construction of quantum mechanics via commutative operations S. Kochen.