The theory of open system dynamics, decoherence and measurement
provides an important tool in the analysisof non-relativisticquantum theory.
Recent experimental and theoreticalprogress has stimulatedthe interestin
new methods such as, for example,
stochasticprocesses,consistenthistories,continuous measurement theories,dynamical statevectorreduction and
localizationmodels. It is of fundamental importance to extend the various
methods that have been developed to the range of relativisticquantum
mechanics and fieldtheory.
The presentvolume containsthe lecturespresentedat the workshop 'Open
Systems and Measurement in RelativisticQuantum Theory', which was held
at the IstitutoItalianoper gliStudi Filosofici,Napoli, on April 3-4, 1998.
The firstcontributionisintended to be of anintroductorynature forthe
non-specialistreader.The aim of the following contributionsis to give an
overview of variousapproaches and models which have been proposed
tounderstand the fundamental processesof quantum measurement, decoherence,
and relativisticstatevectorreduction.
It is apleasure to thank Avv. Gerardo Marotta, the President of the
IstitutoItalianoper gli Studi Filosofici,for suggesting and making
possible a fruitfulworkshop in the stimulatingenvironment of the beautiful
Palazzo Serra di Cassano. Furthermore, we would liketo thank Prof.
Antonio Gargano, the General Secretaryof the IstitutoItalianoper gli Studi
Filosofici,for his friendlyand efficientlocalorganization.We also wish to
express our gratitudeto the participantsof the workshop.