English

Causal Emergence in Quantum Mechanics

Quantum Physics 2019-01-23 v1

Abstract

Causal emergence is brought about when a coarse-grained description of a physical system is more effective (more deterministic and/or less degenerate) than the fine-grained corresponding model. We show, for the first time to our knowledge, a causal emergence in a quantum system: a atomic Mach-Zehnder interferometer with two which-path detectors. The atomic wave-like or particle-like descriptions are related, respectively, to \textit{coarse-grained} and \textit{fine-grained} models. The predictions of the atomic position after the passage through the interferometer when the to \textit{coarse-grained} description is considered are more effective than the corresponding \textit{fine-grained} model. We conclude that quantum eraser measurements yields the causal emergence in this system.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1901.07471,
  title  = {Causal Emergence in Quantum Mechanics},
  author = {Romeu Rossi and Leonardo A. M. Souza},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1901.07471},
  year   = {2019}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-23T07:18:48.836Z