English

Is Quantum Mechanics An Island In Theoryspace?

Quantum Physics 2007-05-23 v2

Abstract

This recreational paper investigates what happens if we change quantum mechanics in several ways. The main results are as follows. First, if we replace the 2-norm by some other p-norm, then there are no nontrivial norm-preserving linear maps. Second, if we relax the demand that norm be preserved, we end up with a theory that allows rapid solution of PP-complete problems (as well as superluminal signalling). And third, if we restrict amplitudes to be real, we run into a difficulty much simpler than the usual one based on parameter-counting of mixed states.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.quant-ph/0401062,
  title  = {Is Quantum Mechanics An Island In Theoryspace?},
  author = {Scott Aaronson},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/0401062},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

9 pages, minor corrections

R2 v1 2026-07-22T19:42:28.718Z