decoherence

== English == === Etymology === First attested 1902 (OED) in the electrical engineering sense "the resetting of a coherer." From decohere (also 1902) +‎ -ence, representing the verbal noun (compare decohesion, decoherency). The quantum mechanics concept was introduced in 1970 by German physicist H. Dieter Zeh, writing in the journal Foundations of Physics. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /diːkəʊˈhɪəɹəns/ === Noun === decoherence (countable and uncountable, plural decoherences) (quantum mechanics) Loss of quantum coherence (phase relation between the quantum states of particles) in a physical system as it interacts with its environment. (engineering, dated) The normal condition of sensitiveness in a coherer; reversion to such condition. ==== Synonyms ==== (quantum mechanics): decoherency, quantum decoherence ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== coherence decoherent ==== Translations ==== === See also === dephasing einselection quantum entanglement quantum interference === Further reading === Coherence (physics) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Dephasing on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Einselection on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Wave function collapse on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Measurement problem on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Quantum entanglement on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Wave interference on Wikipedia.Wikipedia