Interaction between classical and quantum systems: A new approach to quantum measurement. 3: Illustration

E. C. G. Sudarshan

S. R. Gautam, T. N. Sherry, E. C. G. Sudarshan

Following the approach to quantum measurement, proposed in an earlier paper, in which the apparatus is treated as a purely classical instrument to be described by the laws of classical mechanics we examine some simple experiments for the purpose of illustration. The Stern-Gerlach experiment is examined in detail, within our approach, and we see explicitly how the relevant information is transferred to the apparatus variables. We also examine a magnetic interferometer arrangement and a crossed-field arrangement. Consideration of these experiments leads us to the inclusion of an extra procedural step in our approach. This extra step is necessary so that an observer may measure the classical apparatus variables at will after the interaction is completed.

T. N. Sherry, E. C. G. Sudarshan

We develop further a new approach to the quantum measurement process. In this approach, which we proposed in a recent paper, the apparatus is treated as a classical system; however, the classical apparatus is directly coupled to the quantum system. A principle of integrity, which requires that the observables of the classical apparatus retain their classical integrity, is introduced. We examine the constraints which this principle places upon the coupling between the apparatus and the quantum system. To illustrate our approach we use a model loosely based on the Stern-Gerlach experiment. For this model we exhibit a coupling which satisfies the principle of integrity.

Willis E. Lamb

Mauro Faccin, Piotr Migdał, Tomi H. Johnson +2 more

Determining community structure is a central topic in the study of complex networks, be it technological, social, biological or chemical, static or in interacting systems.In this paper, we extend the concept of community detection from classical to quantum systems-a crucial missing component of a theory of complex networks based on quantum mechanics.We demonstrate that certain quantum mechanical effects cannot be captured using current classical complex network tools and provide new methods that overcome these problems.Our approaches are based on defining closeness measures between nodes, and then maximizing modularity with hierarchical clustering.Our closeness functions are based on quantum transport probability and state fidelity, two important quantities in quantum information theory.To illustrate the effectiveness of our approach in detecting community structure in quantum systems, we provide several examples, including a naturally occurring light-harvesting complex, LHCII.The prediction of our simplest algorithm, semiclassical in nature, mostly agrees with a proposed partitioning for the LHCII found in quantum chemistry literature, whereas our fully quantum treatment of the problem uncovers a new, consistent, and appropriately quantum community structure.

Erik Deumens