Williams, Porter and Dougherty, John and Miller, Michael (2023) Cluster Decomposition and Two Senses of Isolability. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In the framework of quantum field theory, one finds multiple load-bearing locality and causality conditions. One of the most important is the cluster decomposition principle, which requires that scattering experiments conducted at large spatial separation have statistically independent results. The principle grounds a number of features of quantum field theory, especially the structure of scattering theory. However, the statistical independence required by cluster decomposition is in tension with the long-range correlations characteristic of entangled states. In this paper, we argue that cluster decomposition is best stated as a condition on the dynamics of a quantum field theory, not directly as a statistical independence condition. This redefinition avoids the tension with entanglement while better capturing the physical significance of cluster decomposition and the role it plays in the structure of quantum field theory.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Williams, Porter porter.williams@pitt.edu Dougherty, John john.e.dougherty.ii@gmail.com 0000-0002-4332-684X Miller, Michael michael.earl.miller@gmail.com
Keywords:	Cluster decomposition, quantum field theory, locality, entanglement, spontaneous symmetry breaking
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User:	Mr. Michael E. Miller
Date Deposited:	13 Jun 2023 12:47
Last Modified:	13 Jun 2023 14:34
Item ID:	22208
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date:	12 June 2023
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22208

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