SOME IDENTITIES FOR THE QUANTUM MEASURE AND ITS GENERALIZATIONS

Abstract

After a brief review of classical probability theory (measure theory), we present an observation (due to Sorkin) concerning an aspect of probability in quantum mechanics. Following Sorkin, we introduce a generalized measure theory based on a hierarchy of "sum-rules". The first sum-rule yields classical probability theory, and the second yields a generalized probability theory that includes quantum mechanics as a special case. We present some algebraic relations involving these sum-rules. This may be useful for the study of the higher-order sum-rules and possible generalizations of quantum mechanics. We conclude with some open questions and suggestions for further work.