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arXiv:gr-qc/9703011

Empirical topology in the histories approach to quantum theory

G. N. Parfionov, Romàn R. Zapatrin

Published Mar 5, 1997• 1 citation
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Abstract

An idealized experiment estimating the spacetime topology is considered in both classical and quantum frameworks. The latter is described in terms of histories approach to quantum theory. A procedure creating combinatorial models of topology is suggested. The correspondence between these models and discretized spacetime models is established.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.gr-qc/9703011

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An idealized experiment estimating the spacetime topology is considered in both classical and quantum frameworks. The latter is described in terms of histories approach to quantum theory. A procedure creating combinatorial models of topology is suggested. The correspondence between these models and discretized spacetime models is established.
We recover the effective topology of spacetime using the notion of record from the decoherent histories approach to Quantum Theory. From a series of (gedanken) experiments, we obtain the set of possible events, grouped into sub-sets that corresponds to histories, but with no other information such as (causal) order or any notion of proximity. This corresponds to tomography of the "effective" spacetime, that is done in an operational way. Making certain assumptions about these records, and using the existence of upper bound in the speed of transfer of matter and information, we recover the full partial (causal) order up to certain ambiguities. The partially ordered set of events corresponds to an "effective" causal set which is a discretized version of spacetime with the causal relation as defining feature. We conclude with a derivation of the topology of this effective discretized spacetime.
The tomographic histories approach is presented. As an inverse problem, we recover in an operational way the effective topology of the extended configuration space of a system. This means that from a series of experiments we get a set of points corresponding to events. The difference between effective and actual topology is drawn. We deduce the topology of the extended configuration space of a ‘classical ’ (i.e. non-relativistic) system, using certain concepts from the consistent histories approach to Quantum Mechanics, such as the notion of a record. A few remarks about the case of a relativistic system, preparing the ground for a forthcoming paper sequel to this, are made in the end. 1 Introduction with Motivational Remarks In the standard formulation of relativity theory, the spacetime topology is a priori fixed by the theorist to that of a continuous manifold; hence, it is not an observable entity. Only the metric structure is traditionally supposed to be dynamically variable. With the exception of Wheeler’s celebrated, but largely heuristic, spacetime foam scenario
The recent suggestion that a temporal form of quantum logic provides the natural mathematical framework within which to discuss the proposal by Gell-Mann and Hartle for a generalized form of quantum theory based on the ideas of histories and decoherence functionals is analyzed and developed herein. Particular stress is placed on properties of the space of decoherence functionals, including one way in which certain global and topological properties of a classical system are reflected in a quantum history theory.
An extended analysis is made of the Gell-Mann and Hartle axioms for a generalised `histories' approach to quantum theory. Emphasis is placed on finding equivalents of the lattice structure that is employed in standard quantum logic. Particular attention is given to `quasi-temporal' theories in which the notion of time-evolution is less rigid than in conventional Hamiltonian physics; theories of this type are expected to arise naturally in the context of quantum gravity and quantum field theory in a curved space-time. The quasi-temporal structure is coded in a partial semi-group of `temporal supports' that underpins the lattice of history propositions. Non-trivial examples include quantum field theory on a non globally-hyperbolic spacetime, and a simple cobordism approach to a theory of quantum topology. It is shown how the set of history propositions in standard quantum theory can be realised in such a way that each history proposition is represented by a genuine projection operator. This provides valuable insight into the possible lattice structure in general history theories, and also provides a number of potential models for theories of this type.
Introduction In this chapter the modelling of spacetime is discussed, with the aim of maintaining a clear distinction between the local properties of a model and those attributes which are global. This separation of attributes (into local and global type) logically motivates the construction of the non-Hausdorff branched model for spacetime. Of course, much of the physical motivation for this construction is derived from the stochastic nature of quantum mechanics. The Many-World Interpretation is seen to be (at least, topologically) a consistent and complete interpretation of quantum mechanics. In any serious inquiry into the nature of spacetime (on either the quantum or cosmological level), mathematical models will be constructed which are in substantial agreement with the collective empiricism of experimental physics. If such a mathematical model is to be more than just a prescription for prediction, then it is necessary to give careful consideration to the appropriate level of mathematical generality of the model. Common sense, as well as the history of science, appear to indicate the need to maintain as general (i.e., unrestricted) a model as possible, constrained only by empirical data on one side, and the limits of our mathematical sophistication and imagination on the other. In the spirit of generalization, I will construct a model of the time parameter , which extends the usual concept of a time-line , and can be used to model spacetime locally, with the usual product structure of Minkowski spacetime. Our imagination will be constrained only by the mathematical discipline of topology and a clear view of all underlying assumptions.