Entangled histories

Jordan Cotler, Frank Wilczek

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

We introduce quantum history states and their mathematical framework, thereby reinterpreting and extending the consistent histories approach to quantum theory. Through thought experiments, we demonstrate that our formalism allows us to analyze a quantum version of history in which we reconstruct the past by observations. In particular, we can pass from measurements to inferences about 'what happened' in a way that is sensible and free of paradox. Our framework allows for a richer understanding of the temporal structure of quantum theory, and we construct history states that embody peculiar, non-classical correlations in time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number014004
JournalPhysica Scripta
Volume2016
Issue numberT168
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 31 2015
Event156th Nobel Symposium on New Forms of Matter: Topological Insulators and Superconductors - Lidingo, Sweden
Duration: Jun 13 2014Jun 15 2014

Keywords

  • entangled histories
  • quantum mechanics
  • temporal observable

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Mathematical Physics
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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