Can the Arrow of Time Emerge from Quantum Entanglement?

Revista, Zen, PHYSICS, 10

The concept of time presents a profound challenge at the intersection of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics. While fundamental microscopic laws are largely time-symmetric, macroscopic phenomena universally exhibit a distinct thermodynamic arrow of time, characterized by increasing entropy. This paper explores the hypothesis that quantum entanglement plays a crucial role in the emergence of this thermodynamic arrow. We review how the entanglement between a quantum system and its environment leads to decoherence, effectively driving the system towards a state of higher entropy and classical-like behavior. By analyzing concepts such as von Neumann entropy, entanglement entropy, and the Page-Wootters mechanism, we propose a theoretical framework where the degradation and spreading of entanglement act as the underlying mechanism for the perceived unidirectional flow of time. This approach offers a potential resolution to the "problem of time" in quantum gravity and provides a unified perspective on the genesis of irreversibility from the inherently reversible laws of quantum mechanics. We discuss the implications of this entanglement-driven temporal emergence for our understanding of the universe's initial low-entropy state and the fundamental nature of reality.

Claus Kiefer

H. D. Zeh

changzheng zhou, ZIQING zhou

This paper proposes a theoretical and experimental scheme for experimentallysimulating the phenomenon of ”temporal structure emergence” on near-term quantum processors (such as superconducting qubit arrays). By translating the theoretical framework of ”time emerging from quantum information” into executablequantum circuits and algorithms, this research designs a set of hybrid quantumclassical algorithms based on variational quantum simulation (VQS) to simulatethe dynamics of simplified spacetime tensor networks and extract order parameterscharacterizing the arrow of time and causal structure. The experimental objectivesinclude preparing initial entangled states with no preset time direction, realizing evolution akin to renormalization group flow through parameterized quantumcircuits, and measuring causal correlation functions to observe the emergence ofthe arrow of time as a spontaneous symmetry-breaking phenomenon. The articleelaborates on the physical implementation, algorithmic steps, error analysis, andexpected results, demonstrating the feasibility of a proof-of-principle verification onnoisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices, thereby providing an actionableexperimental entry point for testing quantum gravity and foundational theories ofspacetime

Francesco Mappa

This work proposes an original formulation that establishes a rigorous mathematical correspondence between the quantum arrow of time, emerging from decoherence and measurement processes, and the thermodynamic arrow of time, associated with the increase in entropy. The central thesis is that these two arrows are not independent phenomena, but different manifestations of a single fundamental principle of quantum information dissipation.

H. Dieter Zeh