Maximal beable subalgebras of quantum mechanical observables

Hans Halvorson, Rob Clifton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Given a state on an algebra of bounded quantum mechanical observables, we investigate those subalgebras that are maximal with respect to the property that the given state's restriction to the subalgebra is a mixture of dispersion-free states - what we call maximal beable subalgebras (borrowing terminology due to J. S. Bell). We also extend our results to the theory of algebras of unbounded observables (as developed by Kadison), and show how our results articulate a solid mathematical foundation for certain tenets of the orthodox Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2441-2484
Number of pages44
JournalInternational Journal of Theoretical Physics
Volume38
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1999
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Mathematics
  • Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)

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