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Reichenbach’s Common Cause Principle in Algebraic Quantum Field Theory with Locally Finite Degrees of Freedom

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Abstract

In the paper it will be shown that Reichenbach’s Weak Common Cause Principle is not valid in algebraic quantum field theory with locally finite degrees of freedom in general. Namely, for any pair of projections A, B supported in spacelike separated double cones \({\mathcal{O}}_{a}\) and \({\mathcal{O}}_{b}\), respectively, a correlating state can be given for which there is no nontrivial common cause (system) located in the union of the backward light cones of \({\mathcal{O}}_{a}\) and \({\mathcal{O}}_{b}\) and commuting with the both A and B. Since noncommuting common cause solutions are presented in these states the abandonment of commutativity can modulate this result: noncommutative Common Cause Principles might survive in these models.

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Correspondence to Gábor Hofer-Szabó.

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Hofer-Szabó, G., Vecsernyés, P. Reichenbach’s Common Cause Principle in Algebraic Quantum Field Theory with Locally Finite Degrees of Freedom. Found Phys 42, 241–255 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-011-9594-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-011-9594-8

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