Symmetry and History Quantum Theory: An analogue of Wigner's Theorem

The basic ingredients of the `consistent histories' approach to quantum theory are a space \UP of `history propositions' and a space \D of `decoherence functionals'. In this article we consider such history quantum theories in the case where \UP is given by the set of projectors \P(\V) on some Hilbert space \V. We define the notion of a `physical symmetry of a history quantum theory' (PSHQT) and specify such objects exhaustively with the aid of an analogue of Wigner's theorem. In order to prove this theorem we investigate the structure of \D, define the notion of an `elementary decoherence functional' and show that each decoherence functional can be expanded as a certain combination of these functionals. We call two history quantum theories that are related by a PSHQT `physically equivalent' and show explicitly, in the case of history quantum mechanics, how this notion is compatible with one that has appeared previously.Comment: To appear in Jour.Math.Phys.; 25 pages; Latex-documen

Exact results for one dimensional stochastic cellular automata for different types of updates

We study two common types of time-noncontinuous updates for one dimensional stochastic cellular automata with arbitrary nearest neighbor interactions and arbitrary open boundary conditions. We first construct the stationary states using the matrix product formalism. This construction then allows to prove a general connection between the stationary states which are produced by the two different types of updates. Using this connection, we derive explicit relations between the densities and correlation functions for these different stationary states.Comment: 7 pages, Late

Random walk theory of jamming in a cellular automaton model for traffic flow

The jamming behavior of a single lane traffic model based on a cellular automaton approach is studied. Our investigations concentrate on the so-called VDR model which is a simple generalization of the well-known Nagel-Schreckenberg model. In the VDR model one finds a separation between a free flow phase and jammed vehicles. This phase separation allows to use random walk like arguments to predict the resolving probabilities and lifetimes of jam clusters or disturbances. These predictions are in good agreement with the results of computer simulations and even become exact for a special case of the model. Our findings allow a deeper insight into the dynamics of wide jams occuring in the model.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure