An analogy between the Double Slit Experiment and Document Ranking

Zuccon, G. (2009) An analogy between the Double Slit Experiment and Document Ranking. In: The 3rd IRSG Symposium: Future Directions in Information Access 2009 (FDIA 2009), Padua, Italy, 31 Aug - 2 Sep 2009,

Abstract

In the last years several works have investigated a formal model for Information Retrieval (IR) based on the mathematical formalism underlying quantum theory [1,2,3,4,5]. These works have mainly exploited geometric and logical-algebraic features of the quantum formalism, for example entanglement, superposition of states, collapse into basis states, lattice relationships. In this poster I present an analogy between a typical IR scenario and the double slit experiment. This experiment exhibits the presence of interference phenomena between events in a quantum system, causing the Kolmogorovian law of total probability to fail. The analogy allows to put forward the routes for the application of quantum probability theory in IR. However, several questions need still to be addressed; they will be the subject of my PhD research.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Zuccon, Mr Guido
• Authors: Zuccon, G.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science