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Observables, Disassembled

Roberts, Bryan W. (2016) Observables, Disassembled. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This paper argues that non-self-adjoint operators can be observables. There are only four ways for this to occur: non-self-adjoint observables can either be normal operators, or be symmetric, or have a real spectrum, or have none of these three properties. I explore each of these four classes of observables, arguing that the class of normal operators provides an equivalent formulation of quantum theory, whereas the other classes considerably extend it.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Roberts, Bryan W.b.w.roberts@lse.ac.uk0000-0003-0548-1280
Keywords: quantum theory, observables, non-Hermitian, non-self-adjoint
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Theory/Observation
Depositing User: Dr. Bryan W. Roberts
Date Deposited: 14 Oct 2016 13:03
Last Modified: 14 Oct 2016 13:03
Item ID: 12478
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Theory/Observation
Date: 2016
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12478

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