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Can Quantum Thermodynamics Save Time?

Swanson, Noel (2018) Can Quantum Thermodynamics Save Time? [Preprint]

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Abstract

The thermal time hypothesis (TTH) is a proposed solution to the problem of time: a coarse-grained, statistical state determines a thermal dynamics according to which it is in equilibrium, and this dynamics is identified as the flow of physical time in generally covariant quantum theories. This paper raises a series of objections to the TTH as developed by Connes and Rovelli (1994). Two technical challenges concern the implementation of the TTH in the classical limit and the relationship between thermal time and proper time. Two more conceptual problems focus on interpreting the flow of time in non-equilibrium states and the lack of gauge invariance.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Swanson, Noelnswanson@udel.edu0000-0002-5950-3863
Additional Information: Expanded version of paper given at 2018 PSA Meeting, Seattle.
Keywords: Problem of Time, Thermal Time Hypothesis, Quantum Gravity, General Relativity, Quantum Field Theory
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User: Noel Swanson
Date Deposited: 21 Feb 2019 14:26
Last Modified: 21 Feb 2019 14:27
Item ID: 15756
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date: 2018
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15756

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