Unit IX – Applications of quantum mechanics to social and economic systems

Italian version

Lecturer: Fabio Bagarello

In Quantum Mechanics ladder operators are used in the analysis of several quantum systems of different type, from the harmonic oscillator to bosonic gases. In this unit we will show how similar operators, and more in general non commuting operators, can be used to model also some macroscopic systems. In particular, they are useful to describe their time evolution as deduced from some suitable Hamiltonian. Among other examples, we will discuss applications to simplified stock markets, with or without a field of information moving inside the market, and to Decision Making. An application to political alliances will be discussed. In the realm of Decision Making, we will also discuss how non-commuting operators can be used in connection with compatible and incompatible questions.