The mathematical structure of quantum real numbers

John V. Corbett

Published 2009-05-07Version 1

The mathematical structure of the sheaf of Dedekind real numbers $\RsubD(X)$ for a quantum system is discussed. The algebra of physical qualities is represented by an $O^{*}$ algebra $\mathcal M$ that acts on a Hilbert space that carries an irreducible representation of the symmetry group of the system. $X =\EsubS(\mathcal M)$, the state space for $\mathcal M$, has the weak topology generated by the functions $ a_{Q}(\cdot)$, defined for $\hat A \in \mathcal M_{sa} $ and $\forall \hat \rho \in \EsubS(\mathcal M) $, by $ a_{Q}(\hat \rho) = Tr \hat A \hat \rho $. For any open subset $W$ of $\EsubS(\mathcal M)$, the function $ a_{Q}|_{W}$ is the numerical value of the quality $\hat A$ defined to the extent $W$. The example of the quantum real numbers for a single Galilean relativistic particle is given.