Quantum Decoherence and Pointer Basis: Dynamics in State Vectors

Abstract

It is well-known that the pointer basis of a quantum system satisfies the condition to diagonalize the interaction Hamiltonian between the subsystems. We show that this condition can be translated into the form $\delta\Lambda=0,$ where $\Lambda$, so-called the action, is the time integrated interaction energy: it is found out naturally in the phase of state vectors due to diagonal interaction. The careful treatment of a two states system demonstrates that the states of the total system branch into the states with different values of the action. Mathematically the pointer states are selected out by the saddle point condition on the phase $\Lambda$. This study helps us to understand the precise mechanism and the general dynamics of decoherence.