Can Entropy Decrease After a Projective Measurement?

In summary, decoherence cannot be reversed as it is a unitary process. While it is theoretically possible to prepare a new system in a coherent state, practical control over the environment is necessary. Additionally, measurements can decrease entropy in a system, but a proper mixture can never be converted into a pure state, illustrating the irreversible nature of measurement on the density matrix.
  • #1
StarsRuler
83
0
¿ What´s the matter if after decoherence the measured system coherences again with the bath ¿ Is measure erased
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Decoherence cannot be reversed, otherwise it is not a proper decoherence. You can prepare a new system in a coherent state, if you like.
 
  • #3
mfb said:
Decoherence cannot be reversed, otherwise it is not a proper decoherence.

Well, in practical terms, it cannot. Decoherence is still a unitary process so it's reversible in principle. The point is just that you don't have the necessary control of your system's environment.
 
  • #4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Density_matrix#Entropy

"This entropy can increase but never decrease with a projective measurement, however generalized measurements can decrease entropy. The entropy of a pure state is zero, while that of a proper mixture always greater than zero. Therefore a pure state {entropy zero} may be converted into a mixture by a measurement, but a proper mixture can never be converted into a pure state. Thus the act of measurement induces a fundamental irreversible change on the density matrix; this is analogous to the "collapse" of the state vector, or wavefunction collapse."
 

FAQ: Can Entropy Decrease After a Projective Measurement?

What is coherence after decoherence?

Coherence after decoherence is a phenomenon in quantum mechanics where a system that was initially in a superposition state (i.e. having multiple possible states at the same time) becomes entangled with its environment, causing the superposition to collapse into a single state. This process is known as decoherence, and the resulting state is referred to as coherence after decoherence.

How does decoherence affect coherence after decoherence?

Decoherence destroys the superposition state and reduces the system to a single state. This loss of quantum coherence also leads to the loss of certain quantum properties, such as interference and entanglement, which are essential for many quantum applications.

Can coherence after decoherence be reversed?

No, coherence after decoherence cannot be reversed. Once decoherence occurs, the system is in a classical state and cannot return to a superposition state. This is due to the irreversible nature of quantum measurement, which causes the collapse of the wave function.

How does coherence after decoherence affect quantum computing?

Coherence after decoherence can be a significant challenge in quantum computing applications. It limits the amount of time that quantum systems can maintain their superposition states, making it difficult to perform complex calculations. Scientists are currently researching ways to mitigate the effects of decoherence and improve coherence times in quantum computers.

Is coherence after decoherence always detrimental?

No, coherence after decoherence can also have beneficial effects in certain cases. For example, in some quantum sensing applications, decoherence can provide a way to measure and detect tiny changes in the environment that would otherwise be undetectable. Additionally, decoherence can also help to protect quantum systems from external disturbances, which is crucial for building robust quantum technologies.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
818
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Back
Top