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On the Classical Limit of Quantum Mechanics

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Abstract

Contrary to the widespread belief, the problem of the emergence of classical mechanics from quantum mechanics is still open. In spite of many results of the standard approach, it is not yet clear how to explain within standard quantum mechanics the classical motion of macroscopic bodies. In this paper, we shall formulate the classical limit as a scaling limit in terms of an adimensional parameter ε. We shall take the first steps toward a comprehensive understanding of the classical limit, analyzing special cases of classical behavior in the framework of a precise formulation of quantum mechanics called Bohmian mechanics which contains in its own structure the possibility of describing real objects in an observer-independent way.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, Northern Illinois University, Zulauf Hall 915, Dekalb, IL, 60115, USA

    Valia Allori

  2. Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università di Genova, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Genova, via Dodecaneso 33, 16146, Genova, Italy

    Nino Zanghì

Authors
  1. Valia Allori
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  2. Nino Zanghì
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Correspondence to Valia Allori.

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Allori, V., Zanghì, N. On the Classical Limit of Quantum Mechanics. Found Phys 39, 20–32 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-008-9259-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-008-9259-4

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