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Many worlds and modality in the interpretation of quantum mechanics: An algebraic approach

J. Math. Phys. 50, 072108 (2009); doi:10.1063/1.3177454

Published 31 July 2009

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G. Domenech,1,3 H. Freytes,2 and C. de Ronde3,4
1Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio (IAFE), Casilla de Correo 67, Sucursal 28, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
2Universita degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
3Center Leo Apostel (CLEA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Krijgskunderstraat 33, 13-1160 Brussels, Belgium
4Foundations of the Exact Sciences (FUND), Brussels Free University, Krijgskundestraat 33, 1160 Brussels, Belgium

Many world interpretations (MWIs) of quantum mechanics avoid the measurement problem by considering every term in the quantum superposition as actual. A seemingly opposed solution is proposed by modal interpretations (MIs) which state that quantum mechanics does not provide an account of what “actually is the case,” but rather deals with what “might be the case,” i.e., with possibilities. In this paper we provide an algebraic framework which allows us to analyze in depth the modal aspects of MWI. Within our general formal scheme we also provide a formal comparison between MWI and MI, in particular, we provide a formal understanding of why—even though both interpretations share the same formal structure—MI fall pray of Kochen–Specker-type contradictions while MWI escape them. ©2009 American Institute of Physics
History: Received 26 August 2008; accepted 25 June 2009; published 31 July 2009
Permalink: http://link.aip.org/link/?JMAPAQ/50/072108/1
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KEYWORDS and PACS

Keywords
PACS
  • 03.65.Fd
    Algebraic methods in quantum mechanics
  • 03.65.Ta
    Foundations of quantum mechanics; measurement theory
  • YEAR: 2009

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ISSN:
0022-2488 (print)   1089-7658 (online)
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