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Western University·Steve Weinstein
1:18:28
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An examination of the limitations of decoherence theory in explaining the emergence of classicality, arguing that macroscopic systems do not inherently display classical behavior.
We consider the claim that decoherence explains the emergence of classicality in quantum systems, and conclude that it cannot. We show that, given a universe composed of a variety of subsystems, some of which are macroscopic and subject to decoherence-inducing interactions, and some of which are microscopic, the macroscopic subsystems do not display any distinctively classical behavior. Therefore, a universe in which macroscopic and microscopic do display distinct behavior must be in a very special, highly nongeneric quantum state.