Open systems in modal quantum theory

          @misc{ scivideos_PIRSA:10100050,
            doi = {10.48660/10100050},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/10100050},
            author = {Westmoreland, Mike},
            keywords = {Quantum Foundations},
            language = {en},
            title = {Open systems in modal quantum theory},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics},
            year = {2010},
            month = {oct},
            note = {PIRSA:10100050 see, \url{https://scivideos.org/index.php/pirsa/10100050}}
          }
          

Abstract

In this talk we quickly review the basics of the modal "toy model" of quantum theory described by Schumacher in his September 22 colloquium at PI. We then consider how the theory addresses more general open systems. Because the modal theory has a more primitive mathematical structure than actual quantum mechanics, it lacks density operators, positive operator measurements, and completely positive maps. As we will show, however, modal quantum theory has an elegant description of the states, effects and operations of open modal systems -- a description with close analogies to actual quantum mechanics.