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Entropy

Symmetrization and Fock Space

Andreas Schlatter

Published Sep 6, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The assertion that quantum states of same-type particles have to be symmetrized because they are indistinguishable has led to a debate in the foundations of quantum mechanics around topics like “thisness” of particles and “surplus structure” in spaces of quantum states. We analyze the underlying mathematical notions and find that a central issue lies in the a priori identification of n-particle Fock space with the n-fold tensor product of single-particle spaces and the corresponding failure to recognize that multi-particle quantum states are ultimately the result of actions of Hamiltonians.

DOI
10.3390/e28090996

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The assertion that quantum states of same-type particles have to be symmetrized because they are indistinguishable has led to a debate in the foundations of quantum mechanics around topics like “thisness” of particles and “surplus structure” in spaces of quantum states. We analyze the underlying mathematical notions and find that a central issue lies in the a priori identification of n-particle Fock space with the n-fold tensor product of single-particle spaces and the corresponding failure to recognize that multi-particle quantum states are ultimately the result of actions of Hamiltonians.
While entanglement in the case of distinguishable particles is clearly understood, in the case of indistinguishable particles, there is still a wide debate regarding basic conceptual issues. Here, I will address two such issues. First, the debate almost always rests on a differentiated treatment of the cases of distinguishability and indistinguishability, even with respect to the definition of the concept of entanglement. Second, the fact that symmetrized and antisymmetrized states of indistinguishable particles are non-factorizable leads to certain perplexities about the very nature of entanglement. In the present work, both issues will be addressed from the perspective of an ontology of properties, which finds its natural expression in the algebraic formalism of quantum mechanics. The final goal will be to show that the proposed ontology allows a unified treatment of entanglement in the distinguishability and indistinguishability cases and offers a straightforward way out to perplexities. This article is part of the theme issue 'Identity, individuality and indistinguishability in physics and mathematics'.
According to classical physics particles are basic building blocks of the world. Classical particles are distinguishable objects, individuated by physical characteristics. By contrast, in quantum mechanics the standard view is that particles of the same kind ("identical particles") are in all circumstances indistinguishable from each other. This indistinguishability doctrine is motivated by the (anti)symmetrization postulates together with the assumption (``factorism'') that each single particle is represented in exactly one factor space in the tensor product Hilbert space of a many-particles system. Although the factorist assumption is standard in the literature, it is conceptually problematic. Particle indistinguishability is incompatible with the everyday meaning of ``particle'', and also with how this term is used both in classical physics and in the experimental practice of physics. The standard view requires quantum particles of the same kind to remain indistinguishable even in the classical limit, so that a transition to the classical picture of the world seems impossible. Earlier we have proposed an alternative conception of quantum particles that does not rely on factorism and that avoids these and other problems. We further explain and develop this proposal here. In our view, particles in quantum theory are not fundamental but \emph{emergent}. However, in those situations where the particle concept is applicable, quantum particles---identical or not---are distinguishable in the same way as classical particles.
Abstract According to classical physics particles are basic building blocks of the world. These classical particles are distinguishable objects, individuated by unique combinations of physical properties. By contrast, in quantum mechanics the received view is that particles of the same kind (“identical particles”) are physically indistinguishable from each other and lack identity. This doctrine rests on the quantum mechanical (anti)symmetrization postulates together with the “factorist” assumption that each single particle is represented in exactly one factor space of the tensor product Hilbert space of a many-particle system. Even though standard in theoretical physics and the philosophy of physics, the assumption of factorism and the ensuing indistinguishability of particles are problematic. Particle indistinguishability is irreconcilable with the everyday meaning of “particle”, and also with how this term is used in the practice of physics. Moreover, it is a consequence of the standard view that identical quantum particles remain indistinguishable even in the classical limit, which makes a smooth transition to the classical particle concept impossible. Lubberdink (1998; 2009) and Dieks and Lubberdink (2011) have proposed an alternative conception of quantum particles that does not rely on factorism and avoids these difficulties. We further explain and discuss this alternative framework here. One of its key consequences is that particles in quantum theory are not fundamental but emergent; another that once they have emerged, quantum particles are always physically distinguishable and thus possess a physically grounded identity.
In this final chapter we discuss composite systems in Quantum Mechanics. First, we lay out the necessary conditions that the state space of a composite system must satisfy by considering the trivial case of two juxtaposed systems. Then we point out the features that the interesting case of a composite system, whose parts interact with each other, must have. We then move to demonstrate how such a system can be naturally described (quantized) by employing tensor product spaces. The definition and the most relevant properties of tensor product spaces are introduced. Then the meaning of “interactions” in quantum mechanics is explored and the most nontrivial aspects of correlation and entanglement are discussed. Finally, in the last section, we introduce systems of identical particles. We describe how to represent the state space of such systems in terms of one-particle states, number operators and occupation number representations. Classification of identical particles into Bosons and Fermions is explained. Finally, introducing symmetric and antisymmetric states, the traditional quantization scheme using the symmetrization postulate is described. The permutation operator is introduced which is the main tool for dealing with identical particle systems in this language. We wind up by indicating how exchange degeneracy is removed which embodies the signature of indistinguishability.
It is often asserted that quantum states for same-type particles must be symmetrized due to ``label redundancy,'' i.e. the assumption that the permutations of labels in direct-product states do not reflect any real physical distinction and thus their permutations constitute an ``exchange degeneracy''. This assumption is directly challenged by the case of scattering of same-type particles such as electrons, which involves two physically distinct scattering channels effectively corresponding to permutation of the labels. I discuss this counterexample with critical attention to an extant portrayal in the literature that omits pertinent physical content. I further note ways in which the assumption that symmetrization must be universally imposed is not supported by actual calculations of particle interactions, nor by seemingly viable particle states based on preparations and outcomes.