Roberts, Bryan W. (2017) Observables, Disassembled. [Preprint]

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Abstract

How should we characterise the observable aspects of physics? This paper makes a start on this question by analysing the concept of an observable in quantum mechanics, arguing that philosophers and physicists should jettison a standard dogma: that observables must be represented by self-adjoint Hermitian operators. Four classes of non-standard observables are identified: normal operators, symmetric operators, real-spectrum operators, and none of these. The philosophical and physical implications of each are explored.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Roberts, Bryan W. b.w.roberts@lse.ac.uk 0000-0003-0548-1280
Keywords:	quantum theory, observables, non-Hermitian, non-self-adjoint, philosophy of physics
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Theory/Observation
Depositing User:	Bryan W. Roberts
Date Deposited:	06 Apr 2017 14:19
Last Modified:	06 Apr 2017 14:19
Item ID:	12964
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Theory/Observation
Date:	2017
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12964

Available Versions of this Item

• Observables, Disassembled. (deposited 14 Oct 2016 13:03)
  • Observables, Disassembled. (deposited 06 Apr 2017 14:19) [Currently Displayed]
    • Observables, Disassembled. (deposited 13 Mar 2018 00:21)

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