Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2025

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Postulating the Unicity of the Macroscopic Physical World
Mathias Van Den Bossche1, Philippe Grangier2
1Thales Alenia Space, 26, Avenue J.-F. Champollion, 31037 Toulouse, France.
Abstract:
We argue that a clear view of quantum mechanics is obtained by considering that the unicity of the macroscopic world is a fundamental postulate of physics, rather than an issue that must be mathematically justified or demonstrated. This postulate allows for a framework in which quantum mechanics can be constructed in a complete mathematically consistent way. This is made possible by using general operator algebras to extend the mathematical description of the physical world toward macroscopic systems. Such an approach goes beyond the usual type-I operator algebras used in standard textbook quantum mechanics. This avoids a major pitfall, which is the temptation to make the usual type-I formalism 'universal'. This may also provide a meta-framework for both classical and quantum physics, shedding new light on ancient conceptual antagonisms and clarifying the status of quantum objects. Beyond exploring remote corners of quantum physics, we expect these ideas to be helpful to better understand and develop quantum technologies.
Related Concept Videos
The Wave Nature of Light
The de Broglie Wavelength
Second Uniqueness Theorem
In contrast, consider that the electric field is non-unique and apply Gauss's law in divergence form in the region between the conductors and the integral form to the...
The Pauli Exclusion Principle
The Uncertainty Principle
First Law: Particles in One-dimensional Equilibrium

