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Are quantum particles objects?

Saunders, Simon (2006) Are quantum particles objects? [Preprint]

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Abstract

Particle indistinguishability has always been considered a purely quantum mechanical concept. In parallel, indistinguishable particles have been thought to be entities that are not properly speaking objects at all. I argue, to the contrary, that the concept can equally be applied to classical particles, and that in either case particles may (with certain exceptions) be counted as objects even though they are indistinguishable. The exceptions are elementary bosons (for example photons).


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Item Type: Preprint
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Saunders, Simon
Additional Information: published in Analysis, 66 (2006) pp.52-63.
Keywords: particles, indistinguishability, quantum, identity of indiscernibles, permutation, symmetry, quantum field
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: simon saunders
Date Deposited: 07 Feb 2006
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:13
Item ID: 2623
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: January 2006
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/2623

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