arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Mario Castagnino.
In this paper we discuss the traditional approaches to the problem of the arrow of time. On the basis of this discussion we adopt a global and non-entropic approach, according to which the arrow of time has a global origin and is an intrinsic, geometrical feature of space-time. Finally, we show how the global arrow is translated into local terms as a local time-asymmetric flux of energy
In this paper we will present the \QTR{it}{self-induced approach} to decoherence, which does not require the interaction between the system and the environment: decoherence in closed quantum systems is possible. This fact has relevant consequences in cosmology, where the aim is to explain the emergence of classicality in the universe conceived as a closed (non-interacting) quantum system. In particular, we will show that the self-induced approach may be used for describing the evolution of a closed quantum universe, whose classical behavior arises as a result of decoherence.
In this paper we address the problem of the arrow of time from a cosmological point of view, rejecting the traditional entropic approach that defines the future direction of time as the direction of the entropy increase: from our perspective, the arrow of time has a global origin and it is an intrinsic, geometrical feature of space-time. Time orientability and existence of a cosmic time are necessary conditions for defining an arrow of time, which is manifested globally as the time-asymmetry of the universe as a whole, and locally as a time-asymmetric energy flux. We also consider arrows of time of different origins (quantum, electromagnetic, thermodynamic, etc.) showing that they can be non-conventionally defined only if the geometrical arrow is previously defined.
A global definition of time-asymmetry is presented. Schulman's two arrows of time model is criticized.
The paper addresses the quantization of minisuperspace cosmological models by studying a possible solution to the problem of time and time asymmetries in quantum cosmology. Since General Relativity does not have a privileged time variable of the newtonian type, it is necessary, in order to have a dynamical evolution, to select a physical clock. This choice yields, in the proposed approach, to the breaking of the so called clock-reversal invariance of the theory which is clearly distinguished from the well known motion-reversal invariance of both classical and quantum mechanics. In the light of this new perspective, the problem of imposing proper boundary conditions on the space of solutions of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation is reformulated. The symmetry-breaking formalism of previous papers is analyzed and a clarification of it is proposed in order to satisfy the requirements of the new interpretation.
A unified (classical-quantum-statistical) formalism for a system with continuous spectrum is introduced. For this kind of systems ergodicity behavior and the existence of microcanonical and canonical (KMS) equilibrium is proved. It is argued that the continuous spectrum condition is essential for the thermodynamical behavior
The relation between renormalization and short distance singular divergencies in quantum field theory is studied. As a consequence a finite theory is presented. It is shown that these divergencies are originated by the multiplication of distributions (and worse defined mathematical objects). Some of them are eliminated defining a multiplication based in dimensional regularization while others disappear considering the states as functionals over the observables space. Non renormalizable theories turn to be finite, but anyhow they are endowed with infinite arbitrary constants.
The universe time-asymmetry is essentially produced by its low-entropy unstable initial state. Using quanlitative arguments, Paul Davies has demonstrated that the universe expansion may diminish the entropy gap, therefore explaining its low-entropy state, with respect to the maximal possible entropy at any time. This idea is implemented in a qualitative way\thinspace in a simple homogeneous model. Some rough coincidence with observational data are found
The functional method, introduced to deal with systems endowed with a continuous spectrum, is used to study the problem of decoherence and correlations in a simple cosmological model.
Decoherence and the approach to the classical final limit are studied in two similar cases: the Mott and the Cosmological problems.
In this paper we improve the results of sec. VI of paper [M. Castagnino, Phys. Rev. D 57, 750 (1998)] by considering that the main source of entropy production are the photospheres of the stars.
In this letter the paper [R. Aquilano, M. Castagnino, Mod. Phys. Lett A,11, 755 (1996)] is improved by considering that the main source of entropy production are the stars photospheres.
The upside-down simple harmonic oscillator system is studied in the contexts of quantum mechanics and classical statistical mechanics. It is shown that in order to study in a simple manner the creation and decay of a physical system by ways of Gamow vectors we must formulate the theory in a time-asymmetric fashion, namely using two different rigged Hilbert spaces to describe states evolving towards the past and the future. The spaces defined in the contexts of quantum and classical statistical mechanics are shown to be directly related by the Wigner function.
Using a functional method it is demonstrated that a generic quantum system evolves to a decohered state in a final pointer basis.
For a wide set of quantum systems it is demonstrated that the quantum regime can be considered as the transient phase while the final classical statistical regime is a permanent state. A basis where exact matrix decoherence appears for these final states is found. The relation with the decoherence of histories formalism is studied. A set of final intrinsically consistent histories is found.
An axiomatic formalism for a minimal irreversible quantum mechanics is introduced. It is shown that a quantum equilibrium and the decoherence phenomenon are consequences of the axioms and that Lyapunov variables, exponential survival probabilities, and a classisal conditional never-decreasing entropy can be defined.
Imposing analytic properties to states and observables we construct a perturbative method to obtain a generalized biorthogonal system of eigenvalues and eigenvectors for quantum unstable systems. A decay process can be described using this generalized spectral decomposition, and the final generalized state is obtained.
We consider a simple cosmological model in order to show the importance of unstable particle creation for the validity of the semiclassical approximation. Using the mathematical structure of rigged Hilbert spaces we show that particle creation is the seed of decoherence which enables the quantum to classical transition.