English

Finite (quantum) effect algebras

Quantum Physics 2026-02-13 v2

Abstract

We investigate finite effect algebras and their classification. We show that an effect algebra with nn elements has at least n2n-2 and at most (n1)(n2)/2(n-1)(n-2)/2 nontrivial defined sums. We characterize finite effect algebras with these minimal and maximal number of defined sums. The latter effect algebras are scale effect algebras (i.e., subalgebras of [0,1]), and only those. We prove that there is exactly one scale effect algebra with nn elements for every integer n2n \geq 2. We show that a finite effect algebra is quantum effect algebra (i.e. a subeffect algebra of the standard quantum effect algebra) if and only if it has a finite set of order-determining states. Among effect algebras with 2-6 elements, we identify all quantum effect algebras.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2406.13775,
  title  = {Finite (quantum) effect algebras},
  author = {Stan Gudder and Teiko Heinosaari},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2406.13775},
  year   = {2026}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T17:12:34.746Z