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:	Creators Email ORCID Swanson, Noel nswanson@udel.edu 0000-0002-5950-3863
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

Available Versions of this Item

• Can Quantum Thermodynamics Save Time? (deposited 02 Oct 2018 13:43)
  • Can Quantum Thermodynamics Save Time? (deposited 21 Feb 2019 14:26) [Currently Displayed]
    • Can Quantum Thermodynamics Save Time? (deposited 07 May 2020 19:54)

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