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The Two-fold Role of Observables in Classical and Quantum Kinematics

Zalamea, Federico (2017) The Two-fold Role of Observables in Classical and Quantum Kinematics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Observables have a dual nature in both classical and quantum kinematics: they are at the same time quantities, allowing to separate states by means of their numerical values, and generators of transformations, establishing relations between different states. In this work, we show how this two-fold role of observables constitutes a key feature in the conceptual analysis of classical and quantum kinematics, shedding a new light on the distinguishing feature of the quantum at the kinematical level. We first take a look at the algebraic description of both classical and quantum observables in terms of Jordan-Lie algebras and show how the two algebraic structures are the precise mathematical manifestation of the two-fold role of observables. Then, we turn to the geometric reformulation of quantum kinematics in terms of Kähler manifolds. A key achievement of this reformulation is to show that the two-fold role of observables is the constitutive ingredient defining what an observable is. Moreover, it points to the fact that, from the restricted point of view of the transformational role of observables, classical and quantum kinematics behave in exactly the same way. Finally, we present Landsman's general framework of Poisson spaces with transition probability, which highlights with unmatched clarity that the crucial difference between the two kinematics lies in the way the two roles of observables are related to each other.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Zalamea, Federicofedericozalamea@gmail.com0000-0002-2934-6406
Keywords: Classical Kinematics; Quantum Kinematics; Observables duality; Jordan-Lie algebras; Symplectic geometry;
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: Mr Federico Zalamea
Date Deposited: 20 Nov 2017 16:10
Last Modified: 20 Nov 2017 16:10
Item ID: 14128
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: 19 November 2017
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14128

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