Change of quantum reference frames; towards a quantum relativity principle?

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:10120063,
            doi = {10.48660/10120063},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/10120063},
            author = {Palmer, Matt},
            keywords = {Quantum Foundations},
            language = {en},
            title = {Change of quantum reference frames; towards a quantum relativity principle?},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2010},
            month = {dec},
            note = {PIRSA:10120063 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }
          

Abstract

Matt Palmer An explicit description of a physical system is necessarily written with respect to a particular reference frame. It is important to know how to adapt the description when a different, equally valid, reference frame is chosen. In the case of classical frames there is a well-defined covariance of the description. The question we want to address is: How can we extend this description of change of reference frame to the case where the frames are quantum objects? We study this problem within specific toy models, and approach it operationally. We define a procedure that will change the quantum reference frame with which a quantum system is described. We find this procedure induces decoherence in the system and is described by a non-unitary CP map, which is in interesting distinction to the reversible nature of the classical change of frame procedures.