Identical Quantum Particles as Potential Parts

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2603.23813v1
• Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:46:31 GMT
• Title: Identical Quantum Particles as Potential Parts
• Abstract summary: We show that the behaviour of identical particles originates in the confluence of identicality and the active nature of quantum measurements.<n>We propose that identical particles are appropriately viewed as potential parts of a whole, and show how this leads to striking consequences such as restricted transtemporal identity.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: The mathematical rules used to handle systems of identical quantum particles bring into question whether the elementary constituents of matter, such as electrons, have the fundamental characteristics of persistence and reidentifiability that are usually attributed to classical particles. However, despite considerable philosophical debate, the metaphysical profile of these entities remains elusive. Previous debates have taken the mathematical rules, and the language in which these are usually couched, as a starting point. Here, we argue that this methodology is inherently limited, and develop a new conception of identical particles based on a recent mathematical reconstruction of these rules. Using this reconstruction, we demonstrate that the special behaviour of identical particles originates in the confluence of identicality and the active nature of the quantum measurements. We propose that identical particles are appropriately viewed as potential parts of a whole, and show how this leads to striking consequences such as restricted transtemporal identity.

Related papers

• Measurement-induced crossover in quantum first-detection times [39.98742834565653]
  We show that the measurement back action intrinsic to quantum mechanics may profoundly alter the system dynamics.<n>For a quantum particle in one spatial dimension subject to stroboscopic measurements, we observe an algebraic decay of the probability of the first-detection time if the particle is free.<n>This crossover reflects the purely quantum nature of the detection process, which fundamentally distinguishes it from the first-passage problem in classical systems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-01-17T16:48:07Z)
• Modeling dissipation in quantum active matter [36.31287094864464]
  We study a driven quantum particle whose external driving exhibits characteristics of classical activity.<n>We uncover how the particle motion evolves under the interplay of quantum effects and active-like dynamics.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-11-26T15:36:07Z)
• A Theory of Quantum Jumps [44.99833362998488]
  We study fluorescence and the phenomenon of quantum jumps'' in idealized models of atoms coupled to the quantized electromagnetic field. Our results amount to a derivation of the fundamental randomness in the quantum-mechanical description of microscopic systems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-04-16T11:00:46Z)
• Antiparticles in non-relativistic quantum mechanics [55.2480439325792]
  Non-relativistic quantum mechanics was originally formulated to describe particles.<n>We show how the concept of antiparticles can and should be introduced in the non-relativistic case without appealing to quantum field theory.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-04-02T09:16:18Z)
• The Fate of Entanglement [0.0]
  Quantum entanglement manifests itself in non-local correlations between the constituents of a system.<n>We argue that all forms of multipartite entanglement entirely disappear during the typical evolution of a physical state.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-02-07T19:00:06Z)
• An ontological description for relativistic, massive bosons [0.0]
  Locality holds for the quantum theory, and seems to be fully obeyed also by the classical treatment. We do discuss extensively the distinction between the quantum treatment and the classical one, even though they produce exactly the same equations mathematically. It is suggested to apply this theory for real time quantum model simulations.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-06-16T14:53:02Z)
• Completing the quantum ontology with the electromagnetic zero-point field [0.0]
  This text begins with a series of critical considerations on the initial interpretation of quantum phenomena observed in atomic systems. Arguments are given in favour of the random zero-point radiation field (ZPF) as the element needed to complete the quantum process. The permanent presence of the field drastically affects the dynamics of the particle, which eventually falls under the control of the field.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-07-13T23:11:48Z)
• Quantum reality with negative-mass particles [0.0]
  Physical interpretations of the time-symmetric formulation of quantum mechanics are discussed in terms of weak values. A top-down ontological model is introduced that treats the weak values of observables as physically real during the time between pre- and post-selection.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-01-24T08:09:35Z)
• Quantum indistinguishability through exchangeable desirable gambles [69.62715388742298]
  Two particles are identical if all their intrinsic properties, such as spin and charge, are the same. Quantum mechanics is seen as a normative and algorithmic theory guiding an agent to assess her subjective beliefs represented as (coherent) sets of gambles. We show how sets of exchangeable observables (gambles) may be updated after a measurement and discuss the issue of defining entanglement for indistinguishable particle systems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-05-10T13:11:59Z)
• Quantum particle across Grushin singularity [77.34726150561087]
  We study the phenomenon of transmission across the singularity that separates the two half-cylinders. All the local realisations of the free (Laplace-Beltrami) quantum Hamiltonian are examined as non-equivalent protocols of transmission/reflection. This allows to comprehend the distinguished status of the so-called bridging' transmission protocol previously identified in the literature.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-11-27T12:53:23Z)
• The Dilemma of Quantum Individuality Beyond Particle Metaphysics [0.0]
  It is commonly claimed that quantum mechanics makes reference to a microscopic realm constituted by elementary particles. It is not at all clear what these quantum particles really are.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-04-15T20:25:04Z)
• Quantifying the particle aspect of quantum systems [0.31457219084519]
  We discuss the possibility of a quantum system to exhibit properties akin to both the classically held notions of being a particle and a wave.<n>A conceptual foundation for the wave nature of a quantum state has recently been presented, through the notion of quantum coherence.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2018-12-20T16:02:31Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.