704 research outputs found
Does quantum nonlocality irremediably conflict with Special Relativity?
We reconsider the problem of the compatibility of quantum nonlocality and the
requests for a relativistically invariant theoretical scheme. We begin by
discussing a recent important paper by T. Norsen [arXiv:0808.2178] on this
problem and we enlarge our considerations to give a general picture of the
conceptually relevant issue to which this paper is devoted.Comment: 18 pages, 1 figur
Relativistic state reduction dynamics
A mechanism describing state reduction dynamics in relativistic quantum field
theory is outlined. The mechanism involves nonlinear stochastic modifications
to the standard description of unitary state evolution and the introduction of
a relativistic field in which a quantized degree of freedom is associated to
each point in spacetime. The purpose of this field is to mediate in the
interaction between classical stochastic influences and conventional quantum
fields. The equations of motion are Lorentz covariant, frame independent, and
do not result in divergent behavior. It is shown that the mathematical
framework permits the specification of unambiguous local properties providing a
connection between the model and evidence of real world phenomena. The collapse
process is demonstrated for an idealized example.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figures, replacement with minor correction
The Conway-Kochen argument and relativistic GRW models
In a recent paper, Conway and Kochen proposed what is now known as the "Free
Will theorem" which, among other things, should prove the impossibility of
combining GRW models with special relativity, i.e., of formulating
relativistically invariant models of spontaneous wavefunction collapse. Since
their argument basically amounts to a non-locality proof for any theory aiming
at reproducing quantum correlations, and since it was clear since very a long
time that any relativistic collapse model must be non-local in some way, we
discuss why the theorem of Conway and Kochen does not affect the program of
formulating relativistic GRW models.Comment: 16 pages, RevTe
A critical analysis of Popper's experiment
An experiment which could decide against the Copenhagen interpretation of
quantum mechanics has been proposed by K. Popper and, subsequently, it has been
criticized by M.J. Collett and R. Loudon. Here we show that both the above
mentioned arguments are not correct because they are based on a misuse of basic
quantum rules.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, RevTex; to be published on PR
A multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the effectiveness of natural attenuation at a contaminated site
This study evaluates the natural attenuation of chlorinated hydrocarbons as remediation action in a contaminated site downtown the city of Parma (Italy). To achieve this goal, a combination of new investigation methods (bio-molecular analysis, compound specific isotope analysis, phytoscreening) has been proposed. The approach (named circular multi step) allows to: fully understand the phenomena that occur at the study site, design new investigation activities, and manage best practices. Consequently, each step of the approach improves the conceptual and numerical models with new knowledge. The activities carried out at the study site allowed to detect a contamination of perchloroethylene in a large part of the city of Parma and, of main importance, underneath a kindergarten. The results of the study did not show significant natural attenuation of chlorinated hydrocarbons and that the detected contamination could refer to the same unknown contaminant source. Furthermore, the innovative phytoscreening technique was applied to assess the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons at the ground level. The plume spread was estimated through numerical modeling starting from potential contaminant sources. This study enhances the knowledge of groundwater flow and contamination in Parma and allows authorities to design new investigation/reclamation activities through management actions
General criterion for the entanglement of two indistinguishable particles
We relate the notion of entanglement for quantum systems composed of two
identical constituents to the impossibility of attributing a complete set of
properties to both particles. This implies definite constraints on the
mathematical form of the state vector associated with the whole system. We then
analyze separately the cases of fermion and boson systems, and we show how the
consideration of both the Slater-Schmidt number of the fermionic and bosonic
analog of the Schmidt decomposition of the global state vector and the von
Neumann entropy of the one-particle reduced density operators can supply us
with a consistent criterion for detecting entanglement. In particular, the
consideration of the von Neumann entropy is particularly useful in deciding
whether the correlations of the considered states are simply due to the
indistinguishability of the particles involved or are a genuine manifestation
of the entanglement. The treatment leads to a full clarification of the subtle
aspects of entanglement of two identical constituents which have been a source
of embarrassment and of serious misunderstandings in the recent literature.Comment: 18 pages, Latex; revised version: Section 3.2 rewritten, new Theorems
added, reference [1] corrected. To appear on Phys.Rev.A 70, (2004
A test of Local Realism with entangled kaon pairs and without inequalities
We propose the use of entangled pairs of neutral kaons, considered as a
promising tool to close the well known loopholes affecting generic Bell's
inequality tests, in a specific Hardy-type experiment. Hardy's contradiction
without inequalities between Local Realism and Quantum Mechanics can be
translated into a feasible experiment by requiring ideal detection efficiencies
for only one of the observables to be alternatively measured. Neutral kaons are
near to fulfil this requirement and therefore to close the efficiency loophole.Comment: 4 RevTeX page
Decoherence and the Quantum Zeno Effect
The experiment of Etano et al which demonstrated the quantum Zeno effect
(QZE) in an optical experiment was explained by Frerichs and Schenzle without
invoking the wave function collapse. In this report it is proposed that the
collapse does occur, and it can be explained by the `environment induced
decoherence' theory. The environment here consists of the completely quantized
field vacuum modes. The spontaneous emission life time of the atom sets a
fundamental limit on the requirement of `continuous measurements' for QZE. This
limit turns out to be related to the time-energy uncertainty relation discussed
by Ghirardi et al.Comment: Based on a poster presented at the "Workshop on Advanced Laser
Spectroscopy", I.I.T. Kanpur, India, 25-28 February 1995. RevTeX, one page,
two uunecoded post-script figures appended
The Status of the Wave Function in Dynamical Collapse Models
The idea that in dynamical wave function collapse models the wave function is
superfluous is investigated. Evidence is presented for the conjecture that, in
a model of a field theory on a 1+1 lightcone lattice, knowing the field
configuration on the lattice back to some time in the past, allows the wave
function or quantum state at the present moment to be calculated, to arbitrary
accuracy so long as enough of the past field configuration is known.Comment: 35 pages, 11 figures, LaTex, corrected typos, some modifications
made. to appear in Found. of Phys. Lett. Vol. 18, Nbr 6, Nov 2005, 499-51
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