Theory of large quantal systems and the quantum theory of measurement

• Main Author: Hill, Timothy Fountain
• Other Authors: Frahn, W E
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2016
• Subjects: Physics; Theoretical Physics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16644

The consistency problem of quantum mechanics may be resolved by regarding any measurement performed on an atomic system as essentially involving an interaction between the atomic system and a macroscopic measuring apparatus and the subsequent behaviour of the apparatus in producing a signal to indicate the result of the measurement. Of central importance in such an approach, therefore, is the study of large quantal systems. Along these lines, two approaches to the consistency problem have been provided; one, by the Italian group of Daneri, Loinger and Prosperi, based on a time-independent ergodic theory of large quantal systems; the other by the Belgian group of George, Prigogine and Rosenfeld, based on a time-dependent theory. In this thesis these two theories are compared and are shown to be equivalent.