I am doing a measurement in a system S with the apparatus A, in an

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter StarsRuler
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Measurement System
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the measurement process in quantum mechanics, specifically involving a system S and an apparatus A within an environment E. The initial state of the combined system [S+A] is represented as a superposition, which evolves into a density operator post-decoherence. The conversation highlights the paradox of entropy changes during measurement, where the Shannon entropy increases before measurement but decreases to zero after wavefunction collapse. This leads to confusion regarding the assertion that measurements increase entropy overall.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles, particularly wavefunction collapse
  • Familiarity with decoherence and its effects on quantum systems
  • Knowledge of Shannon entropy and its calculation
  • Basic concepts of density operators in quantum mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of quantum decoherence on measurement outcomes
  • Explore the concept of wavefunction collapse in detail
  • Learn about Shannon entropy and its applications in quantum information theory
  • Investigate the relationship between entropy and information in quantum mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and researchers interested in the foundations of quantum measurement theory.

StarsRuler
Messages
82
Reaction score
0
I am doing a measurement in a system S with the apparatus A, in an entorn E. If the system is at [STRIKE]t0[/STRIKE] in Sithe measurement of the apparatus will be, after the decoherence time
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Is that a question? The state of the apparatus will depend on the interaction with the system.
What is "entorn"? Google suggest "environment", translated from catalan.
 


I don´t understand why the collapse of the wavefunction and the measure increase entropy. I start with a quantum system S and an aparattus A. The initial state of [ S+A ] is [(c_1|s_1>+c_2|s_2>+...)|a_0> ] and after the decoherence implies than apparatus end with a density operator [ p_1|1><a_1|+p_2|a_2><a_2|] where [p_n=|c_n|^2] ...His entropy goes up by shannon entropy to [-(p_1 ln (p_1)+p_2 ln (p_2)+...] that is [S>0] , in the premeasurement. But when collapse occurs , the final state of apparatus is [|a_n><a_n|] , for a random [n] , then it has entropy [S=0] . The entropy goes down and the same occurs to the system. Then why it is said that entropy goes up in a measurement?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K