English

Quantum Coins, Dice and Children: Probability and Quantum Statistics

Quantum Physics 2009-10-31 v2 Statistical Mechanics High Energy Physics - Phenomenology Nuclear Theory Physics Education

Abstract

We discuss counterintuitive aspects of probabilities for systems of identical particles obeying quantum statistics. Quantum coins and children (two level systems) and quantum dice (many level systems) are used as examples. It is emphasized that, even in the absence of interactions, (anti)symmetrizations of multi-particle wavefunctions destroy statistical independences and often lead to dramatic departures from our intuitive expectations.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.quant-ph/9911101,
  title  = {Quantum Coins, Dice and Children: Probability and Quantum Statistics},
  author = {Chi-Keung Chow and Thomas D. Cohen},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/9911101},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

8 pages in REVTeX