Papers on Entropy in Quantum Mechanics Framework

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the exploration of literature related to entropy within a quantum mechanical framework, particularly in the context of a bachelor's thesis. Participants share references to papers, books, and concepts relevant to the topic, including the relationship between entropy and Fisher information.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) seeks literature on entropy in quantum mechanics, having already read Shannon's work.
  • One participant references a previous thread that contains relevant papers.
  • Another participant mentions an article that may not be publicly accessible and discusses the Fisher-information perspective on physics.
  • A book titled "Physics from Fisher Information - A Unification" by B Roy Frieden is suggested, which relates Fisher information to entropy.
  • Concerns are raised about the validity of viewing physics solely through the lens of Fisher information, citing a negative review by Cosma Shalizi.
  • Links to additional resources on entropy in quantum mechanics are provided by a participant, including references from Shalizi's blog.
  • The eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) is introduced as a significant yet complex assumption in quantum statistical mechanics, with uncertainty expressed regarding its general applicability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple viewpoints regarding the relevance and interpretation of Fisher information in relation to entropy, indicating that there is no consensus on the best approach or framework for understanding these concepts in quantum mechanics.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions involve assumptions about the availability of articles and the validity of certain theoretical perspectives, which remain unresolved. The relationship between Fisher information and entropy is presented as a debated topic.

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Hey,
I am going to write my bachelor's thesis on Entropy in a Quantum Mechanical Framework. My professor told me he would refer me to some literature. However it will take him some time.
I would like to get started myself. Could you please refer me to papers, books, articles? I have already read Shannon's paper on A Mathematical Theory of Communication.

Thank you
 
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I don't know whether this article is available online to the general public.
http://scitation.aip.org/content/aapt/journal/ajp/57/11/10.1119/1.15810

I haven't kept up with the Fisher-information line of thinking since that article came out. This book review indicates Roy Freiden had more to say: http://vserver1.cscs.lsa.umich.edu/~crshalizi/reviews/physics-from-fisher-info/ Nowadays, you can find many hits on Fisher information and physics.
 
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There is a book that looks at physics entirely from the point of Fisher Information which is very similar to entropy (it's basically the concept of information in statistics and is seen in the information matrix along with all of the statistical results in statistical inference).

The book is called "Physics from Fisher Information - A Unification" by B Roy Frieden published by Cambridge University Press.
 
chiro said:
There is a book that looks at physics entirely from the point of Fisher Information which is very similar to entropy (it's basically the concept of information in statistics and is seen in the information matrix along with all of the statistical results in statistical inference).

The book is called "Physics from Fisher Information - A Unification" by B Roy Frieden published by Cambridge University Press.

The links that Stephen Tashi provided above include a review by Cosma Shalizi, (a physicist-turned-statistician and a professor at CMU, who writes a blog on various areas of science called the Three-Toed Sloth) who gave a negative review of the book by Frieden, and essentially state that much of the effort to look at physics entirely from Fisher information is misguided at best.

To the OP: Shalizi has provided links to numerous references that relate directly to the role of entropy in quantum mechanics. I've attached the links below.

http://bactra.org/notebooks/information-theory.html

http://bactra.org/notebooks/quantum-mechanics.html
 
Also take a look at eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH). It's a tricky assumption quite crucial in quantum statistical mechanics, the analogue of the classical idea that the microcanonical and canonical ensemble are the same, which means--more physically speaking--that isolated systems or systems in contact with a thermal reservoir give similar results. In the classical case one can argue this quite convincingly, but I think that in QM it's quite mysterious, and probably not true in general.
 

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