Gao, Shan (2025) Is the Universe in a Mixed State? Foundations of Physics, 54 (7).

Text dmr2025.pdf Download (206kB)

Abstract

Quantum mechanics with a fundamental density matrix has been proposed and discussed recently. Moreover, it has been conjectured that the universe is not in a pure state but in a mixed state in this theory. In this paper, I argue that this mixed state conjecture has two main problems: the redundancy problem and the underdetermination problem, which are lacking in quantum mechanics with a definite initial wave function of the universe.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Gao, Shan sgao7319@uni.sydney.edu.au
Keywords:	Quantum mechanics; wave function; density matrix; redundancy problem; underdetermination problem
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Prof. Shan Gao
Date Deposited:	27 Mar 2025 14:49
Last Modified:	27 Mar 2025 14:49
Item ID:	24958
Journal or Publication Title:	Foundations of Physics
Publisher:	Springer Nature
Official URL:	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10701-0...
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.1007/s10701-023-00742-6
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	27 March 2025
Volume:	54
Number:	7
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/24958

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Altmetric.com

Actions (login required)

View Item