1202.4263 (V. I. Yukalov)

Decoherence and equilibration under nondestructive measurements    [PDF]

V. I. Yukalov

The evolution of observable quantities of finite quantum systems is analyzed
when the latter are subject to nondestructive measurements. The type and number
of measurements characterize the level of decoherence produced in the system. A
finite number of instantaneous measurements leads to only a partial
decoherence. But infinite number of such measurements yields complete
decoherence and equilibration. Continuous measurements result in partial
decoherence in finite time, but produce complete decoherence and equilibration
as time tends to infinity. Resulting equilibrium states are characterized by
representative statistical ensembles that, generally, retain information on
initial conditions. Any system, to be observable, necessarily requires the
presence of measurements, whose large number leads to the system equilibration
and decoherence.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1202.4263