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Epistemic vs Ontic Classification of quantum entangled states?

Caponigro, Michele and Giannetto, Enrico (2012) Epistemic vs Ontic Classification of quantum entangled states? [Preprint]

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Abstract

In this brief paper, starting from recent works, we analyze from conceptual point of view this basic question: can be the nature of quantum entangled states interpreted ontologically or epistemologically? According some works, the degrees of freedom (and the tool of quantum partitions)
of quantum systems permit us to establish a possible classification between factorizables and entangled states. We suggest, that the "choice" of degree of freedom (or quantum partitions), even if mathematically justified introduces epistemic element, not only in the systems but also in their classification. We retain, instead, that there are not two classes of quantum states, entangled and
factorizables, but only a single classes of states: the entangled states. In fact, the factorizable states become entangled for a different choice of their degrees of freedom (i.e. they are entangled with respect to other observables). In the same way, there are not partitions of quantum system which have an ontological superior status with respect to any other. For all these reasons, both mathematical tools utilized (i.e quantum partitions or degrees of freedom) are responsible of improper
classification of quantum systems. Finally, we argue that we cannot speak about a classification of quantum systems: all the quantum states exhibit a unique objective nature, they are all entangled states.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Caponigro, Michelemichele.caponigro@unibg.it
Giannetto, Enricoenrico.giannetto@unibg.it
Keywords: Quantum entanglement, subsystems (partitions and factorizables states), epistemic vs ontic elements
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: Michele Caponigro
Date Deposited: 15 Jun 2012 14:22
Last Modified: 15 Jun 2012 14:22
Item ID: 9164
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: 13 June 2012
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9164

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