Gauge Boson Theory of Quantum State Reduction

Vladimir S. Mashkevich

Published 2008-12-31Version 1

A theory of quantum state reduction is advanced. It is based on two principles: (1) Gauge decomposition; (2) Maximum entropy. To wit: (1) The reduction decomposition of a state vector is the Schmidt decomposition with respect to the states of a set of (dressed) gauge boson modes; (2) The reduction instant is that of the maximum entropy of a resulting mixed state. The theory determines states undergoing the reduction, its instant, resulting pure states and their probabilities. Applications: (Polarized) photon absorption and transmission, emission, particle detection, reduction of a superposition of states, nonintegral photon states, photon and matter-photon entanglement, processes with weak bosons, and the role of gluons.