Counterfactuals in macroscopic quantum physics: irreversibility, measurement and locality

Thesis

Can quantum theory be applied on all scales? While there are many arguments for the universality of quantum theory, this question remains a subject of debate. It is unknown how far the existence of macroscopic irreversibility can be derived from or reconciled with time-reversal symmetric quantum dynamics. Furthermore, reasoning about quantum measurements can appear to produce surprising and even paradoxical outcomes. The classical outcomes of quantum measurements are in some contexts deemed to violate the fundamental principle of locality, in particular when considering entanglement and Bell non-locality. Therefore measurement, irreversibility and locality can all appear to challenge the universality of quantum theory. In this thesis we approach these problems using counterfactuals — statements about the possibility and impossibility of transformations. Using the principles of constructor theory and quantum information theory, we find novel features of quantum thermodynamics relating to irreversibility, information erasure and coherence. We also develop tools to quantify the full implications of non-commutativity of quantum operators in settings where quantum theory is applied universally to measurement devices. This reveals new ways of characterising the quantum information stored in entanglement and quantum branching structure. Our results reinforce the ability of universal quantum theory to consistently describe both microscopic and macroscopic observers and thermodynamic systems.

Authors: Violaris, M

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-ngxxqjraq
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English