Quantum symmetry breaking and physical inequivalence: the case of ferromagnetism.

This paper discusses an outstanding issue in philosophy of physics concerning the relation between quantum symmetries and the notion of physical equivalence. Specifically, it deals with a dilemma arising for quantum symmetry breaking that was posed by Baker (Philos Sci 78:128–148, 2011), who claimed...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Synthese Vol. 198; no. 9; pp. 8127 - 8149
Autor principal: Valente, Giovanni
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Springer Nature Sep2021
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:This paper discusses an outstanding issue in philosophy of physics concerning the relation between quantum symmetries and the notion of physical equivalence. Specifically, it deals with a dilemma arising for quantum symmetry breaking that was posed by Baker (Philos Sci 78:128–148, 2011), who claimed that if two ground states are connected by a symmetry, even when it is broken, they must be physically equivalent. However, I argue that the dilemma is just apparent. In fact, I object to Baker's conclusion by showing that the two thermodynamical phases of a ferromagnet, which are connected by the so-called flip-flop symmetry, are physically inequivalent, thereby providing a counter-example to his claim.