Quantifying the particle aspect of quantum systems

Abstract

The possibility of a quantum system to exhibit properties that are akin to both the classically held notions of being a particle and a wave, is one of the most intriguing aspects of the quantum description of nature. These aspects have been instrumental in understanding paradigmatic natural phenomena as well as to provide non-classical applications. A conceptual foundation for the wave nature of a quantum state has recently been presented, through the notion of quantum coherence. We introduce here a parallel notion for the particle nature of a quantum state of an arbitrary physical system. We provide elements of a resource theory of particleness, and give a quantification of the same. Finally, we provide evidence for a complementarity between the particleness thus introduced, and the coherence of an arbitrary quantum state.