PIRSA:16120006

The not-quite-six days of the creation of quantum theory as universal algebra

Duncan, R. (2016). The not-quite-six days of the creation of quantum theory as universal algebra. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/16120006

Duncan, Ross. The not-quite-six days of the creation of quantum theory as universal algebra. Perimeter Institute, Dec. 13, 2016, https://pirsa.org/16120006 

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:16120006,
            doi = {10.48660/16120006},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/16120006},
            author = {Duncan, Ross},
            keywords = {Quantum Foundations},
            language = {en},
            title = {The not-quite-six days of the creation of quantum theory as universal algebra},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2016},
            month = {dec},
            note = {PIRSA:16120006 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }

Ross Duncan

University of Oxford

Talk number
PIRSA:16120006
Collection
Talk Type
Subject
Abstract

Seminal work of Steve Lack showed that universal algebraic theories (PROPs) may be composed to produce more sophisticated theories.  I’ll apply this method to construct an axiomatic version of the theory of a pair of complementary observables starting from the theory of monoids.  How far can we get with this?  Quite far!  We’ll get a large chunk of finite dimensional quantum theory this way —but the fact that quantum systems have non-trivial dynamics means that it’s (always) possible to present the resulting theory as a composite PROP in Lack’s sense.  If time permits, I’ll also discuss how this approach can serve as a way of constructing toy models with specific properties.
TRIGGER WARNING: category theory, blasphemy.