Are all processes CPT symmetric like measurement, stimulated emission?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of CPT symmetry and its applicability to various physical processes, including measurement, stimulated emission, and synchrotron radiation. Participants explore whether these processes can be considered CPT symmetric and reversible, raising questions about the implications of such symmetry in different contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that measurement, particularly in the context of the Stern-Gerlach experiment, may challenge the notion of CPT symmetry due to its perceived irreversibility.
  • There is a suggestion that measurement could involve an artifact carrying differences in angular momentum, which might allow for a CPT symmetric interpretation.
  • Synchrotron radiation is discussed, with questions raised about whether the electron undergoes an internal change that could be reconciled with CPT symmetry.
  • Stimulated emission is examined, with inquiries into whether a CPT symmetric analogue exists that would involve stimulated absorption.
  • The concept of state preparation in quantum computing is mentioned, questioning if a CPT symmetric analogue could enforce a specific outcome in a quantum algorithm.
  • The Big Bang is brought into the discussion, with speculation on whether it satisfies CPT symmetry and the implications for theories like the Big Bounce.
  • Some participants challenge the validity of the initial claims, arguing that the examples presented do not necessarily support the assertion of universal CPT symmetry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the interpretation of CPT symmetry and its implications for the examples provided. There is no consensus on whether measurement and other processes invalidate the CPT theorem.

Contextual Notes

Some participants point out that the initial reference to Wikipedia may not be appropriate for this discussion, and there are concerns about the interpretation of CPT symmetry as it relates to the examples given.

Jarek 31
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TL;DR
While CPT theorem says that CPT symmetry holds for all physical phenomena, for some processes such reversibility seems highly nonintuitive - starting with measurement ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPT_symmetry says "CPT theorem says that CPT symmetry holds for all physical phenomena" - e.g. we could imagine decomposition of given phenomena into Feynman diagrams and apply CPT symmetry to all of them.
However, for some o processes such reversibility seems highly nonintuitive - let us try to discuss them.

1) It is good to start with deexcitation as it seems there is no problem with it (?):
excited atom <-> deexcited atom + photon

2) Let us look at measurement, e.g. in Stern-Gerlach idealization, for example of spin - which seems changed during measurement, and corresponds to angular momentum - so shouldn't there be something more e.g. photon carrying this difference of angular momentum?
unmeasured spin <-> measured spin + something carrying difference of angular momentum (e.g. EM wave like photon)
Including such hypothetical artifact carrying difference of angular momentum, momentum, energy etc. allows to see measurement as CPT symmetric reversible process - explain asymmetry by difficulty of preparing the right hand side situation ...
But can we do it - does measurement always have such artifact? Could it be confirmed or disproved?

3) Synchrotron radiation in which electrons usually in strong external magetic field produce photons:
electron before synchrotron radiation <-> electron after + photon
It seems to require some internal change in this electron (?) - could it be rotation of its spin accordingly to magnetic field used to bend the trajectory (V = -mu B like in Zeeman effect)?

4) Stimulated emission in laser: causing absorption of such photon by target later.
So is there stimulated absorption e.g. in CPT analogue of laser: causing emission of such photon by target earlier?

5) State preparation of e.g. <0| qubit out of {<0|, <1|} requiring nonunitarity - can it have CPT symmetric analogue: enforcing e.g. |0> at the end of quantum algorithm? (it is done in postselection but it is cheating).

6) Big Bang - does the hypothetical initial point satisfy CPT symmetry? Doesn't this symmetry suggest Big Bounce instead?

So are all of them CPT symmetric, reversible?
Any other problematic phenomena? (... beside entropy growth)
 
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When every other word is bolded this becomes very hard to read.

With six examples, it doesn't sound like you are asking questions so much as pushing a position. You might want to take a look at the PF Rules on this.

CPY symmetry is a statement that relates certain properties of particles and antiparticles (the C). It does not say that a broken vase must spontaneously reassemble or any of your six examples.
 
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I have started with statement from Wikipedia saying that this symmetry holds for all phenomena, and wanted to discuss here some problematic cases.
Especially measurement - which is often seen as irreversible phenomenon - so does it invalidate the CPT theorem?
 
Wikipedia is not an acceptable reference here.
 
Wikipedia is kind of introductory reference, to get a glimpse without subjectively choosing references yourself, and it points to real references. If you disagree with this article, please improve it.
The original paper is Schwinger's https://journals.aps.org/pr/abstract/10.1103/PhysRev.82.914 - you can use it or some other references to support your view on the questions asked here.
 
Schwinger doesn't say any of that either.

Since it's clear that:
a. You misunderstand what CPT says, and
b. You are more interested in promoting your own flawed view than in gaining understanding yourself

I have asked the Mentors to close this thread.
 
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Where I promote my view?
I am just asking if measurement invalidates CPT theorem?
So how do you understand it? What would be your answer?
 
Temporarily closed for moderation.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
Schwinger doesn't say any of that either.

Since it's clear that:
a. You misunderstand what CPT says, and
b. You are more interested in promoting your own flawed view than in gaining understanding yourself

I have asked the Mentors to close this thread.
After a Mentor discussion, this thread will remain closed.
 

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