Editing Quantum decoherence (section)

===Relation to interpretation of quantum mechanics===
An [[interpretation of quantum mechanics]] is an attempt to explain how the mathematical theory of quantum physics might correspond to experienced [[reality]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=What is Quantum Information?|last=Cabello|first=Adán|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2017|isbn=9781107142114|editor-last=Lombardi|editor-first=Olimpia|editor-link=Olimpia Lombardi|pages=138&ndash;143|chapter=Interpretations of quantum theory: A map of madness|arxiv=1509.04711|editor2-last=Fortin|editor2-first=Sebastian|editor3-last=Holik|editor3-first=Federico|editor4-last=López|editor4-first=Cristian|bibcode=2015arXiv150904711C|doi=10.1017/9781316494233.009|s2cid=118419619}}</ref> Decoherence calculations can be done in any interpretation of quantum mechanics, since those calculations are an application of the standard mathematical tools of quantum theory. However, the subject of decoherence has been closely related to the problem of interpretation throughout its history.<ref name="camilleri2009">{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.shpsb.2009.09.003 |first=Kristian |last=Camilleri |title=A history of entanglement: Decoherence and the interpretation problem |journal=Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B |volume=40 |number=4 |date=December 2009 |pages=290–302|bibcode=2009SHPMP..40..290C }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.physrep.2019.10.001 |first=Max |last=Schlosshauer |title=Quantum decoherence |journal=Physics Reports |volume=831 |date=2019-10-25 |pages=1–57 |arxiv=1911.06282|bibcode=2019PhR...831....1S |s2cid=208006050 }}</ref>

Decoherence has been used to understand the possibility of the [[collapse of the wave function]] in quantum mechanics. Decoherence does not generate ''actual'' wave-function collapse. It only provides a framework for ''apparent'' wave-function collapse, as the components of a quantum system entangle with other quantum systems within the same environment. That is, components of the wave function are decoupled from a [[Coherence (physics)#Quantum coherence|coherent system]] and acquire phases from their immediate surroundings. A total superposition of the global or [[universal wavefunction]] still exists (and remains coherent at the global level), but its ultimate fate remains an [[Interpretations of quantum mechanics|interpretational issue]].

With respect to the [[measurement problem]], decoherence provides an explanation for the transition of the system to a [[Mixed state (physics)|mixture of states]] that seem to correspond to those states observers perceive. Moreover, observation indicates that this mixture looks like a proper [[quantum ensemble]] in a measurement situation, as the measurements lead to the "realization" of precisely one state in the "ensemble".

The philosophical views of [[Werner Heisenberg]] and [[Niels Bohr]] have often been grouped together as the "[[Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics|Copenhagen interpretation]]", despite significant divergences between them on important points.<ref name="Howard 2004">{{cite journal |title=Who invented the Copenhagen Interpretation? A study in mythology |year=2004 |last1=Howard |first1=Don |journal=Philosophy of Science |pages=669–682 | jstor=10.1086/425941 |volume=71 |issue=5 |doi=10.1086/425941|url=http://www.nd.edu/~dhoward1/Copenhagen%20Myth%20A.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221010/http://www.nd.edu/~dhoward1/Copenhagen%20Myth%20A.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-10 |url-status=live |citeseerx=10.1.1.164.9141 |s2cid=9454552 }}</ref><ref name="camilleri2015">{{cite journal|first1=K. |last1=Camilleri |first2=M. |last2=Schlosshauer |title=Niels Bohr as Philosopher of Experiment: Does Decoherence Theory Challenge Bohr's Doctrine of Classical Concepts? |arxiv=1502.06547 |journal=Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics |volume=49 |pages=73–83 |year=2015 |doi=10.1016/j.shpsb.2015.01.005|bibcode=2015SHPMP..49...73C |s2cid=27697360 }}</ref> In 1955, Heisenberg suggested that the interaction of a system with its surrounding environment would eliminate quantum interference effects. However, Heisenberg did not provide a detailed account of how this might transpire, nor did he make explicit the importance of entanglement in the process.<ref name="camilleri2015"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Heisenberg |first=W. |year=1955 |chapter=The development of the interpretation of the quantum theory |editor-last1=Pauli |editor-first1=W. |editor-last2=Rosenfeld |editor-first2=L. |editor-last3=Weisskopf |editor-first3=V. |title=Niels Bohr and the Development of Physics: Essays Dedicated to Niels Bohr on the Occasion of his Seventieth Birthday |publisher=McGraw Hill |location=New York |pages=12–29}}</ref>