From quantum to classical world: emergence of trajectories in a quantum system

摘要

This note deals with models of quantum systems where the emergence of a classical behavior can be concretely analyzed. We first briefly review some well known difficulties arising in the classical limit of quantum mechanics according to the Copenhagen interpretation. Then we discuss the seminal contribution by Mott (1929) on the tracks observed in a cloud chamber, where the problem can be approached in a particularly transparent way. Finally, we propose a model Hamiltonian, with interaction described by spin dependent point interactions, where Mott’s analysis can be rephrased and the result can be rigorously formulated.