Quantum solution to 'arrow of time' dilemma raises skepticsm

Emily Conover

Hrvoje Nikolić

In this paper we criticize the attempt of Maccone [Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 080401 (2009), arXiv:0802.0438] to solve the problem of the arrow of time.

David H. Jennings, Terry Rudolph

Recently, a substantial amount of debate has grown up around a proposed quantum resolution to the `arrow of time dilemma' that is based on the role of classical memory records of entropy-decreasing events. In this note we show that the argument is incomplete and furthermore, by providing a counter-example, argue that it is incorrect. Instead of quantum mechanics providing a resolution in the manner suggested, it allows enhanced classical memory records of entropy-decreasing events.

H. Dieter Zeh

H. D. Zeh

Lorenzo Maccone

I acknowledge a flaw in the paper "A quantum solution to the arrow of time dilemma": as pointed out by Jennings and Rudolph, (classical) mutual information is not an appropriate measure of information. This can be traced back to the quantum description underlying my analysis, where quantum mutual information is the appropriate measure of information. The core argument of my paper (summarized in its abstract) is not affected by this flaw. Nonetheless, I point out that such argument may not be adequate to account for all phenomena: it seems necessary to separately postulate a low entropy initial state.