Separation theorems and Bell inequalities in algebraic quantum mechanics

Abstract

The paper discusses the concept of separation of quantum mechanical systems in the algebraic approach. We review known theorems, then establish a link between the C*-algebraic and the corresponding W*-algebraic concepts. A characterization of separation in terms of Bell inequalities, due to Raggio (1988), is given a C*-algebraic formulation. Finally, we comment on the implications for the understanding of the Bell inequalities.