Operational axioms for a C*-algebraic formulation of Quantum Mechanics

Abstract

A C*-algebra formulation of Quantum Mechanics is derived from purely operational axioms in which the primary role is played by the "transformations" that the system undergoes in the course of an "experiment". The notion of the {\em adjoint} of a transformation is based on the postulated existence of "faithful states" that allows one to calibrate the experimental apparatus.

Presented at the International Conference QCM&C (Quantum Communications, Measurements and Computing), 28 November-3 December 2006, Tsukuba, Japan