This thoroughly revised fifth edition of Zeh's classic text on irreversibility includes new sections on cosmic probabilities, quantum computers, and the expansion of the Universe. The book investigates irreversible phenomena in classical, quantum and cosmological settings. In particular, it contains a detailed treatment of radiation damping as well as extended sections on dynamical maps, quantum entanglement and decoherence, arrows of time hidden in various interpretations of quantum theory, and the emergence of time in quantum gravity. Both physicists and philosophers of science who reviewed earlier editions praised this book as a magnificent survey, a concise, technically sophisticated, up-to-date discussion of the subject, showing fine sensitivity to crucial conceptual subtleties.

A classic and frequently cited text on the arrow of time. Mathematically and physically rigorous, but accessible to newcomers Fifth up-to-date edition Thoroughly revised to reflect advances in both quantum physics and cosmology Essential reading for the new generation of theoretical physicists Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

H. Dieter Zeh studied physics in Brunswick and Heidelberg, where he began work on theoretical nuclear physics. After a year of research at the California Institute of Technology, he moved to the University of California in San Diego to work on the synthesis of the heavy elements, before returning to the University of Heidelberg, where he later became professor of theoretical physics. His studies of collective motion in nuclei led him to address the quantum-to-classical transition in general, and in particular the quantum measurement problem, which is in turn related to many aspects of irreversibility (arrows of time). During this work, Zeh recognized and formulated the universal and unavoidable role of uncontrollable quantum entanglement, thus becoming a founder of the area now known as decoherence.

Inhalt
The Physical Concept of Time.- The Time Arrow of Radiation.- The Thermodynamical Arrow of Time.- The Quantum Mechanical Arrow of Time.- The Time Arrow of Spacetime Geometry.- The Time Arrow in Quantum Cosmology.- Epilog.