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Cited by 1,443Quantum Mechanics and ApplicationsQuantum Information and CryptographyPhilosophy and History of Science

Decoherence, the measurement problem, and interpretations of quantum mechanics

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Schlosshauer, Maximilian·2005·Reviews of Modern Physics
DOI 10.1103/revmodphys.76.1267
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Abstract

Environment-induced decoherence and superselection have been a subject of intensive research over the past two decades, yet their implications for the foundational problems of quantum mechanics, most notably the quantum measurement problem, have remained a matter of great controversy. This paper is intended to clarify key features of the decoherence program, including its more recent results, and to investigate their application and consequences in the context of the main interpretive approaches of quantum mechanics.

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Crossref · 10.1103/revmodphys.76.1267

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  • Decoherence cannot solve the measurement problem.

    “Although decoherence can 'save the appearances' by explaining the suppression of quantum effects at the macroscopic level, it cannot solve the measurement problem: 'We are still left with a multitude of (albeit individually well-localized quasiclassical) components of the wave function, and we need to supplement or otherwise to interpret this situation in order to explain why and how single outcom”

    From A strong no-go theorem on the Wigner’s friend paradox (2020) · cites this paper as [2]

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Research works printed but not linked: 29

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Authors
Schlosshauer, M.
Affiliations
University of Washington (US)
Corresponding author
Schlosshauer, Maximilian
ORCID
Schlosshauer, Maximilian
Venue
Reviews of Modern Physics
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Published
2005-02-23
Volume
76
Issue
4
Pages
1267-1305
ISSN
  • 0034-6861 (ISSN-L)
  • 1539-0756
DOI
10.1103/revmodphys.76.1267
OpenAlex
W2050035613
Cited by
1,443
References
200
Citations by year
2026: 99 · 2025: 82 · 2024: 80 · 2023: 88 · 2022: 76 · 2021: 84 · 2020: 94 · 2019: 105 · 2018: 75 · 2017: 81 · 2016: 64 · 2015: 69 · 2014: 79 · 2013: 64 · 2012: 56
FWCI
26.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
link.aps.org/licenses/aps-default-license (vor)
Locations
  • Reviews of Modern Physics (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (publishedVersion)
  • CERN Document Server (European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Quantum Mechanics and Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Quantum Information and Cryptography
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy and History of Science
Keywords
environmental decoherence, measurement problem, interpretation of quantum mechanics, superselection, quantum foundations

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