PhilSci Archive

Antiunitary Equivalence

Swanson, Noel (2020) Antiunitary Equivalence. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
Text
Swanson_Antiunitary Equivalence.pdf

Download (259kB) | Preview

Abstract

In algebraic approaches to quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, debates about physical equivalence revolve around the concept of unitary equivalence. Virtually all of these discussions suppress a closely related concept, antiunitary equivalence. The goal of this paper is to begin the project of disentangling the relationship between these two concepts. I provide necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of antiunitary intertwiners between representations, clarify that antiunitary equivalence does not entail unitary equivalence, and argue that there are interpretational subtleties that are both physically important and unique to the antiunitary case.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Swanson, Noelnswanson@udel.edu0000-0002-5950-3863
Keywords: Quantum Field Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Theoretical Equivalence
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: Noel Swanson
Date Deposited: 07 May 2020 17:40
Last Modified: 07 May 2020 17:40
Item ID: 17151
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: February 2020
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17151

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item