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Decoherence: Concepts and examples

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Quantum Future From Volta and Como to the Present and Beyond

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Physics ((LNP,volume 517))

Abstract

We give a pedagogical introduction to the process of decoherence — the irreversible emergence of classical properties through interaction with the environment. After discussing the general concepts, we present the following examples: Localisation of objects, quantum Zeno effect, classicality of fields and charges in QED, and decoherence in gravity theory. We finally emphasise the important interpretational features of decoherence.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fakultät für Physik, Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany

    Claus Kiefer

  2. Rosenweg 2, D-22869, Schenefeld, Germany

    Erich Joos

Authors
  1. Claus Kiefer
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  2. Erich Joos
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Editor information

Philippe Blanchard Arkadiusz Jadczyk

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© 1999 Springer-Verlag

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Kiefer, C., Joos, E. (1999). Decoherence: Concepts and examples. In: Blanchard, P., Jadczyk, A. (eds) Quantum Future From Volta and Como to the Present and Beyond. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 517. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0105342

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0105342

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-65218-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-49482-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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