The quantum state diffusion picture of physical processes

Abstract

In earlier papers the authors introduced a quantum state diffusion model for the evolution of an individual open quantum system and proved localization theorems based on this model. This paper shows in more detail how the diffusion leads to localization in position and phase space, and to symmetry breaking for chiral molecules. The theory of radioactive decay of absorbers and detectors is described in the state diffusion picture. The Mott and Gurney theory of latent image formation in photography is presented in its state diffusion version. It is an example of quantum detection without significant amplification.