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Quantum Solution to the Arrow-of-Time Dilemma

Lorenzo Maccone
Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 080401 – Published 17 August 2009
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Abstract

The arrow-of-time dilemma states that the laws of physics are invariant for time inversion, whereas the familiar phenomena we see everyday are not (i.e., entropy increases). I show that, within a quantum mechanical framework, all phenomena which leave a trail of information behind (and hence can be studied by physics) are those where entropy necessarily increases or remains constant. All phenomena where the entropy decreases must not leave any information of their having happened. This situation is completely indistinguishable from their not having happened at all. In the light of this observation, the second law of thermodynamics is reduced to a mere tautology: physics cannot study those processes where entropy has decreased, even if they were commonplace.

  • Received 8 February 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.080401

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Lorenzo Maccone*

  • QUIT, Dip. A. Volta, 27100 Pavia, and Institute for Scientific Interchange, 10133 Torino, Italy

  • *Present address: RLE, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

Comments & Replies

Comment on “Quantum Solution to the Arrow-of-Time Dilemma”

David Jennings and Terry Rudolph
Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 148901 (2010)

See Also

A Quantum Arrow of Time

JR Minkel
Phys. Rev. Focus 24, 7 (2009)

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Issue

Vol. 103, Iss. 8 — 21 August 2009

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