Abstract
The usual heuristic description of quantum mechanical assemblies features so-called “occupation numbers” interpreted quite literally. This essay critically compares that point of view with a more rigorous understanding of composite systems based upon a principal lesson of Einstein's paradox and Bell's inequality, viz., that it is fallacious to regard a subsystem as possessing or “occupying” any state whatever.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Park, J.L. Quantum assembly semantics: The fallacious lingo of occupation numbers. Found Phys 21, 83–92 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01883564
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01883564