Observables in W*-Algebraic Quantum Mechanics

Anton Amann

Pöttinger, Jürgen

Anton Amann

Robert Olkiewicz

Emile Grgin, Aage Petersen

In classical and in quantum mechanics physical variables play a dual role as observables and as generators of infinitesimal transformations in the invariance groups. We show that if the Lie algebra of generators is central simple, the observable-generator duality restricts the structure of the algebra of observables to two cases: a commutative, associative algebra as in classical mechanics, or a central simple special Jordan algebra as in quantum mechanics.

Edoardo Piparo

This paper is the first of several parts introducing a new powerful algebra: the algebra of the pseudo-observables. This is a C*-algebra whose set is formed by formal expressions involving observables. The algebra is constructed by applying the Occam's razor principle, in order to obtain the minimal description of physical reality. Proceeding in such a manner, every aspect of quantum mechanics acquires a clear physical interpretation or a logical explanation, providing, for instance, in a natural way the reason for the structure of complex algebra and the matrix structure of the formulation of Werner Heisenberg of quantum mechanics. Last but not least, the very general hypotheses assumed, allow one to state that quantum mechanics is the unique minimal description of physical reality.