31 research outputs found
The Pondicherry interpretation of quantum mechanics: An overview
An overview of the Pondicherry interpretation of quantum mechanics is
presented. This interpretation proceeds from the recognition that the
fundamental theoretical framework of physics is a probability algorithm, which
serves to describe an objective fuzziness (the literal meaning of Heisenberg's
term "Unschaerfe," usually mistranslated as "uncertainty") by assigning
objective probabilities to the possible outcomes of unperformed measurements.
Although it rejects attempts to construe quantum states as evolving ontological
states, it arrives at an objective description of the quantum world that owes
nothing to observers or the goings-on in physics laboratories. In fact, unless
such attempts are rejected, quantum theory's true ontological implications
cannot be seen. Among these are the radically relational nature of space, the
numerical identity of the corresponding relata, the incomplete spatiotemporal
differentiation of the physical world, and the consequent top-down structure of
reality, which defies attempts to model it from the bottom up, whether on the
basis of an intrinsically differentiated spacetime manifold or out of a
multitude of individual building blocks.Comment: 18 pages, 1 eps figure, v3: with corrections made in proo
Probabilities from envariance?
Zurek claims to have derived Born's rule noncircularly in the context of an
ontological no-collapse interpretation of quantum states, without any "deus ex
machina imposition of the symptoms of classicality." After a brief review of
Zurek's derivation it is argued that this claim is exaggerated if not wholly
unjustified. In order to demonstrate that Born's rule arises noncircularly from
deterministically evolving quantum states, it is not sufficient to assume that
quantum states are somehow associated with probabilities and then prove that
these probabilities are given by Born's rule. One has to show how irreducible
probabilities can arise in the context of an ontological no-collapse
interpretation of quantum states. It is argued that the reason why all attempts
to do this have so far failed is that quantum states are fundamentally
algorithms for computing correlations between possible measurement outcomes,
rather than evolving ontological states.Comment: To appear in IJQI; 9 pages, LaTe
Quantum mechanics explained
The physical motivation for the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics
is made clear and compelling by starting from an obvious fact - essentially,
the stability of matter - and inquiring into its preconditions: what does it
take to make this fact possible?Comment: 29 pages, 5 figures. v2: revised in response to referee comment
This elusive objective existence
Zurek's existential interpretation of quantum mechanics suffers from three
classical prejudices, including the belief that space and time are
intrinsically and infinitely differentiated. They compel him to relativize the
concept of objective existence in two ways. The elimination of these prejudices
makes it possible to recognize the quantum formalism's ontological implications
- the relative and contingent reality of spatiotemporal distinctions and the
extrinsic and finite spatiotemporal differentiation of the physical world -
which in turn makes it possible to arrive at an unqualified objective
existence. Contrary to a widespread misconception, viewing the quantum
formalism as being fundamentally a probability algorithm does not imply that
quantum mechanics is concerned with states of knowledge rather than states of
Nature. On the contrary, it makes possible a complete and strongly objective
description of the physical world that requires no reference to observers. What
objectively exists, in a sense that requires no qualification, is the
trajectories of macroscopic objects, whose fuzziness is empirically irrelevant,
the properties and values of whose possession these trajectories provide
indelible records, and the fuzzy and temporally undifferentiated states of
affairs that obtain between measurements and are described by counterfactual
probability assignments.Comment: To appear in IJQI; 21 pages, LaTe
Active and Passive Quantum Erasers for Neutral Kaons
Quantum marking and quantum erasure are discussed for the neutral kaon
system. Contrary to other two-level systems, strangeness and lifetime of a
neutral kaon state can be alternatively measured via an "active" or a "passive"
procedure. This offers new quantum erasure possibilities. In particular, the
operation of a quantum eraser in the "delayed choice" mode is clearly
illustrated.Comment: 17 pages, LaTeX, 1 figure, references added, accepted by Phys. Rev.