An instability of unitary quantum dynamics. (June 2015)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- An instability of unitary quantum dynamics. (June 2015)
- Main Title:
- An instability of unitary quantum dynamics
- Authors:
- van Wezel, Jasper
- Abstract:
- Abstract: Instabilities of equilibrium quantum mechanics are common and well-understood. They are manifested for example in phase transitions, where a quantum system becomes so sensitive to perturbations that a symmetry can be spontaneously broken. Here, we consider the possibility that the time evolution governing quantum dynamics may be similarly subject to an instability, at which its unitarity spontaneously breaks down owing to an extreme sensitivity towards perturbations. We find that indeed such an instability exists, and we explore its immediate consequences. Interpretations of the results both in terms of extreme sensitivity to the influence of environmental degrees of freedom, and in terms of a possible fundamental violation of unitarity are discussed.
- Is Part Of:
- Journal of physics. Number 626(2015)
- Journal:
- Journal of physics
- Issue:
- Number 626(2015)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 626, Issue 626 (2015)
- Year:
- 2015
- Volume:
- 626
- Issue:
- 626
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2015-0626-0626-0000
- Page Start:
- Page End:
- Publication Date:
- 2015-06
- Subjects:
- Physics -- Congresses
530.5 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.iop.org/EJ/journal/1742-6596 ↗
http://ioppublishing.org/ ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1088/1742-6596/626/1/012012 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 1742-6588
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 5036.223000
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 7569.xml