Feintzeig, Benjamin H. and (Le)Manchak, JB and Rosenstock, Sarita and Weatherall, James Owen (2018) Why Be Regular? Part I. [Preprint]

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Abstract

We provide a novel perspective on "regularity" as a property of representations of the Weyl algebra. We first critique a
proposal by Halvorson [2004, "Complementarity of representations in quantum mechanics", Studies in History and
Philosophy of Modern Physics 35(1), pp. 45--56], who argues that the non-regular "position" and "momentum" representations of the Weyl algebra demonstrate that a quantum mechanical particle can have definite values for position or momentum, contrary to a widespread view. We how that there are obstacles to such an intepretation of non-regular representations. In Part II, we propose a justification for focusing on regular representations, pace Halvorson, by drawing on algebraic methods.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Feintzeig, Benjamin H. bfeintze@uw.edu (Le)Manchak, JB jmanchak@uci.edu Rosenstock, Sarita rosensts@uci.edu Weatherall, James Owen weatherj@uci.edu
Keywords:	regular representations, normal states, Weyl algebra, Halvorson
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	James Owen Weatherall
Date Deposited:	15 May 2018 13:43
Last Modified:	15 May 2018 13:43
Item ID:	14669
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	2018
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14669

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