Time-asymmetric quantum physics

A quantum theory that applies to the (closed) universe needs to be time asymmetric because of the cosmological arrow of time. The preparation ⇒ registration arrow of time (a state must be prepared before an observable can be detected in it) of the quantum mechanics of measured systems provides a phenomenological reason for an asymmetric semigroup time evolution. The standard theory in the Hilbert space (HS) is inadequate for either since the mathematics of the HS allows only reversible unitary group evolution and time symmetric boundary conditions. The mathematical theory that describes time-asymmetric quantum physics in addition to providing the mathematics for the Dirac kets is the rigged Hilbert space (RHS) theory. It uses a pair of RHS’s of Hardy class with complementary analyticity property, one for the prepared states (“in states”) and the other for the registered observables (“out states”). The RHS’s contain Gamow kets which have all the properties needed to represent decaying states and resonances. Gamow kets have only asymmetric time evolution. The neutral kaon system is used to show that quasistationary microphysical systems can be experimentally isolated if their time of preparation can be accurately identified. The theoretical predictions for a Gamow ket have the same features as the observed decay probabilities, including the time ordering. This time ordering is the same as the time ordering in the probabilities of histories for the quantum universe. The fundamental quantum mechanical arrow of time represented by the semigroup in the RHS is therefore the same as the cosmological arrow of time, assuming that the universe can be considered a closed quantum system.