Introduction to the Algebraic Formulation of Quantum Theories

Valter Moretti

Valter Moretti

Kasia Rejzner

Antonino Drago

Daniele Colosi

We give a brief introduction to the so-called general boundary formulation (GBF) of quantum theory. This new axiomatic formulation provides a description of the quantum dynamics which is manifestly local and does not rely on a metric background structure for its definition. We present the basic ingredients of the GBF, in particular we review the core axioms that assign algebraic structures to geometric ones, the two quantisation schemes so far developed for the GBF and the probability interpretation which generalizes the standard Born rule. Finally we briefly discuss some of the results obtained studying specific quantum field theories within the GBF.

Valter Moretti

This paper collects and extends the lectures I gave at the “XXIV International Fall Workshop on Geometry and Physics” held in Zaragoza (Spain) during September 2015. Within these lectures I review the formulation of Quantum Mechanics, and quantum theories in general, from a mathematically advanced viewpoint, essentially based on the orthomodular lattice of elementary propositions, discussing some fundamental ideas, mathematical tools and theorems also related to the representation of physical symmetries. The final step consists of an elementary introduction the so-called ([Formula: see text]-) algebraic formulation of quantum theories.