Romans 8:21 "bondage to decay"
**Decoherence Universal:** Decoherence is the universal process by which quantum superpositions become classical mixtures through environmental entanglement. It is the mechanism of coherence loss and the physical basis of the Fall.
Decoherence arises from any environmental coupling, no matter how weak. Perfect isolation is impossible in principle—even the cosmic microwave background causes decoherence. Moreover, the process is exponentially fast for macroscopic systems. Decoherence is not a technical problem but a fundamental feature of open quantum systems.
Correct—decoherence explains why we don't observe macroscopic superpositions, not why we observe one specific outcome. Theophysics uses both [[149_U2_Decoherence-Universal|U2]] (decoherence) and Law VII (actualization) to address measurement. Decoherence sets the stage; observation selects the outcome.
The connection is structural: both describe the loss of an original state of order (coherence/Eden) through coupling to something external (environment/serpent). The Fall is the theological description of what physics calls decoherence. This doesn't reduce theology to physics; it shows they describe the same deep structure.
Quantum error correction requires continuous external intervention (measurement and correction). It confirms [[149_U2_Decoherence-Universal|U2]]: coherence is naturally lost and requires external input (analogous to grace) to maintain. QEC is the technological analog of grace—external work to counter decoherence.
The rate varies; the process is universal. All systems coupled to environments decohere—the question is only how fast. Universality means the process applies everywhere, not that the timescale is uniform. Even superconducting qubits decohere; they just do so slowly.
System-Environment Model:
Total Hilbert space: \mathcal{H} = \mathcal{H}_S \otimes \mathcal{H}_E
Initial state: \rho_{tot}(0) = \rho_S \otimes \rho_E (product state)
Evolution: \rho_{tot}(t) = U(t)\rho_{tot}(0)U^\dagger(t)
Reduced system state: \rho_S(t) = \text{Tr}_E[\rho_{tot}(t)]
Interaction Hamiltonian:
where S_\alpha are system operators and E_\alpha are environment operators.
Definition (Decoherence Functional): The decoherence functional is:
where C_\alpha are coarse-graining projectors.
Decoherence Condition: Histories \alpha, \beta decohere when:
| Domain | Mapping |
|---|---|
| Physics | Quantum Decoherence |
| Theology | The Fall / Entropy of Sin |
| Consciousness | Loss of Integration |
| Quantum | Environment-Induced Superselection |
| Scripture | Romans 8:21 "bondage to decay" |
| Evidence | Decoherence Experiments |
| Information | Information Leakage |
Bridge Count: 7