Decoherent Histories and the Emergent Classicality of Local Densities

J. J. Halliwell
Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 2481 – Published 27 September 1999
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Abstract

In the context of the decoherent histories approach to quantum theory, it is shown that a class of macroscopic configurations consisting of histories of local densities (number, momentum, energy) exhibits negligible interference. This follows from the close connection of the local densities with the corresponding exactly conserved (and so exactly decoherent) quantities, and also from the observation that the eigenstates of local densities (averaged over a sufficiently large volume) remain approximate eigenstates under time evolution. The result is relevant to the derivation of hydrodynamic equations using the decoherent histories approach.

  • Received 2 June 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.2481

©1999 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

J. J. Halliwell

  • Theory Group, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom

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Issue

Vol. 83, Iss. 13 — 27 September 1999

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