# Decoherence: From Interpretation to Experiment

**Authors:** Maximilian Schlosshauer  
**arXiv:** [2204.09755](https://arxiv.org/abs/2204.09755)  
**Date:** 2022-04-20  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/arxiv-id/2204.09755v1/

## Key points

- Maximilian Schlosshauer's paper "Decoherence: From Interpretation to Experiment" provides a comprehensive analysis of the decoherence program, focusing on physicist Dieter Zeh.
- Zeh's commitment to a realistic interpretation of the quantum state is discussed as essential for understanding decoherence.
- Zeh's support for an Everett-style interpretation and its connection to his ideas on decoherence are highlighted.
- The close interplay between experimental advances and theoretical modeling in the field of decoherence is emphasized.
- Collisional decoherence is used as an illustrative example of this interplay.
- Experimental findings have contributed to refining our understanding of decoherence phenomena and validating theoretical predictions.

## Summary

In the paper "Decoherence: From Interpretation to Experiment," Maximilian Schlosshauer provides a comprehensive analysis of the decoherence program, focusing on the role and views of physicist Dieter Zeh. The author begins by discussing Zeh's commitment to a realistic interpretation of the quantum state, which he believed was essential for a consistent understanding of the decoherence process. According to Schlosshauer, this commitment predates Zeh's support for an Everett-style interpretation of quantum mechanics and serves as a foundation for his defense of Everett and the development of his ideas on decoherence. Schlosshauer then delves into an overview of experiments conducted on decoherence. He highlights the close interplay between experimental advances and theoretical modeling in this field, using collisional decoherence as an illustrative example. The author emphasizes how experimental findings have contributed to refining our understanding of decoherence phenomena and validating theoretical predictions. Overall, Schlosshauer's paper offers insightful reflections on the decoherence program, with particular emphasis on Zeh's contributions. By exploring Zeh's realistic interpretation of the quantum state and its implications for decoherence, as well as providing insights into experimental advancements in this area, the author provides valuable insights into both theoretical and empirical aspects of decoherence research.