Temperature in Quantum Systems: Meaning & Impact

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of temperature in a quantum system and its relationship to the system's particles and wave function. It also raises questions about the definition and influence of temperature on the system's evolution, and the limitations of the Schrodinger equation in describing this physical quantity. The course also covers the topic of energy versus information in relation to temperature.
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Quantum River
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What is the meaning of temperature in a quantum system? Surely temperature concerns lots of particles. (More is different. -Philip W. Anderson) So the wave function of the system is very very big. Could temperature only exist in a mixed state system. But how do we define temperature? How does temperature influence the evolution of the system? The Schrodinger equation alone controls the evolution of the system already.
 
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  • #2
Quantum River said:
What is the meaning of temperature in a quantum system? Surely temperature concerns lots of particles. (More is different. -Philip W. Anderson) So the wave function of the system is very very big. Could temperature only exist in a mixed state system. But how do we define temperature? How does temperature influence the evolution of the system? The Schrodinger equation alone controls the evolution of the system already.

The formalism of QM doesn't account for a description of the physical quantity called "temperature". However, we can describe quantum mechanically a statistical system for which we know to define the temperature.
 
  • #3
Quantum River said:
What is the meaning of temperature in a quantum system? Surely temperature concerns lots of particles. (More is different. -Philip W. Anderson) So the wave function of the system is very very big. Could temperature only exist in a mixed state system. But how do we define temperature? How does temperature influence the evolution of the system? The Schrodinger equation alone controls the evolution of the system already.

Visit also "Energy Vs Information" session
 

FAQ: Temperature in Quantum Systems: Meaning & Impact

What is temperature in quantum systems?

Temperature in quantum systems refers to the average energy of particles in a system, which determines the system's thermal equilibrium and behavior.

How is temperature measured in quantum systems?

Temperature in quantum systems is measured using the Boltzmann distribution, which relates the temperature to the probability of particles occupying different energy levels.

What is the impact of temperature on quantum systems?

The temperature of a quantum system affects its behavior and properties, such as its phase transitions, energy levels, and entanglement. It also determines the rate at which quantum processes occur.

Can temperature in quantum systems be negative?

Yes, temperature in quantum systems can be negative. This occurs when the average energy of particles is higher than the energy of the system's ground state, leading to a negative temperature on the Kelvin scale. Negative temperature systems exhibit unique properties, such as having a higher energy state as the most probable state.

How does temperature in quantum systems differ from classical systems?

Temperature in quantum systems differs from classical systems in that the energy of particles is quantized, meaning they can only exist at certain energy levels. This results in different temperature behaviors, such as the possibility of negative temperatures and the effect of quantum phases.

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