In quantum mechanics, quantum decoherence is the loss of coherence or ordering of thephase angles between the components of a system in a quantum superposition. One consequence of this dephasing is classical or probabilistically additive behavior. Decoherence occurs when a system interacts with its environment in a thermodynamically irreversible way.
Quantum decoherence is a physical process that occurs in quantum systems, where the superposition of two or more quantum states gradually becomes entangled and loses its coherence, resulting in the state appearing to "collapse" into a single definite state.
Quantum decoherence happens due to interactions between a quantum system and its surrounding environment. These interactions cause the superposition of states to become entangled with the environment, leading to the loss of coherence.
Quantum decoherence is essential for understanding how quantum systems behave in the classical world. It explains why macroscopic objects do not exhibit quantum behavior and helps bridge the gap between quantum mechanics and classical physics.
The consequences of quantum decoherence include the loss of quantum behavior in macroscopic objects, making them appear to follow classical laws of physics. It also plays a crucial role in quantum computing, where maintaining coherence is essential for the accurate functioning of quantum algorithms.
While quantum decoherence is a natural process, it can be controlled to some extent through methods such as quantum error correction and quantum error avoidance. However, it cannot be entirely reversed, and the loss of coherence is irreversible.