We examine the time reversal symmetry of quantum measurement sequences by introducing a forward and backward Janus sequence of measurements. If the forward sequence of measurements creates a sequence of quantum states in time, starting from an initial state and ending in a final state, then the backward sequence begins with the time-reversed final state, exactly retraces the intermediate states, and ends with the time-reversed initial state. We prove that such a sequence can always be constructed, showing that unless the measurements are ideal projections, it is impossible to tell if a given sequence of measurements is progressing forward or backward in time. A statistical arrow of time emerges only because typically the forward sequence is more probable than the backward sequence.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
May 31 2017
Janus sequences of quantum measurements and the arrow of time
Andrew N. Jordan;
Andrew N. Jordan
1Department of Physics and Astronomy,
University of Rochester
, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
2Center for Coherence and Quantum Optics,
University of Rochester
, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
3Institute for Quantum Studies,
Chapman University
, 1 University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Areeya Chantasri;
Areeya Chantasri
1Department of Physics and Astronomy,
University of Rochester
, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
2Center for Coherence and Quantum Optics,
University of Rochester
, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Kater Murch;
Kater Murch
4Department of Physics,
Washington University
, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Justin Dressel;
Justin Dressel
3Institute for Quantum Studies,
Chapman University
, 1 University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA
5Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
University of California
, Riverside, California 92521, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Alexander N. Korotkov
Alexander N. Korotkov
6Schmid College of Science and Technology,
Chapman University
, 1 University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
AIP Conf. Proc. 1841, 020003 (2017)
Citation
Andrew N. Jordan, Areeya Chantasri, Kater Murch, Justin Dressel, Alexander N. Korotkov; Janus sequences of quantum measurements and the arrow of time. AIP Conf. Proc. 31 May 2017; 1841 (1): 020003. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4982767
Download citation file:
367
Views
Citing articles via
Inkjet- and flextrail-printing of silicon polymer-based inks for local passivating contacts
Zohreh Kiaee, Andreas Lösel, et al.
Effect of coupling agent type on the self-cleaning and anti-reflective behaviour of advance nanocoating for PV panels application
Taha Tareq Mohammed, Hadia Kadhim Judran, et al.
Design of a 100 MW solar power plant on wetland in Bangladesh
Apu Kowsar, Sumon Chandra Debnath, et al.
Related Content
Is there really “retrocausation” in time-symmetric approaches to quantum mechanics?
AIP Conference Proceedings (May 2017)
Completing the physical representation of quantum algorithms provides a retrocausal explanation of the speedup
AIP Conference Proceedings (May 2017)
The retrocausal tip of the quantum iceberg
AIP Conference Proceedings (May 2017)