Timeless Configuration Space and the Emergence of Classical Behavior

The inherent difficulty in talking about quantum decoherence in the context of quantum cosmology is that decoherence requires subsystems, and cosmology is the study of the whole Universe. Consistent histories gave a possible answer to this conundrum, by phrasing decoherence as loss of interference between alternative histories of closed systems. When one can apply Boolean logic to a set of histories, it is deemed ‘consistent’. However, the vast majority of the sets of histories that are merely consistent are blatantly nonclassical in other respects, and further constraints than just consistency need to be invoked. In this paper, I attempt to give an alternative answer to the issues faced by consistent histories, by exploring a timeless interpretation of quantum mechanics of closed systems. This is done solely in terms of path integrals in non-relativistic, timeless, configuration space. What prompts a fresh look at such foundational problems in this context is the advent of multiple gravitational models in which Lorentz symmetry is not fundamental, but only emergent. And what allows this approach to overcome previous barriers to a timeless, conditional probabilities interpretation of quantum mechanics is the new notion of records—made possible by an inherent asymmetry of configuration space. I outline and explore consequences of this approach for foundational issues of quantum mechanics, such as the natural emergence of the Born rule, conservation of probabilities, and the Sleeping Beauty paradox.     

The effect of localization on interference. II. Bearing on locality violation and the interpretation of quantum mechanics

In a two-channel interference experiment such as that considered in the preceding companion paper, a quantum may be localizable predominantly in one channel by a time-coincident experiment on a correlated quantum. The Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics then requires a coincidence intensity prediction having the same reduced interference between channels as if the probability amplitude in the other channel had been attenuated by a filter. The quantum mechanical treatment of correlated systems originated by von Neumann does predict this reduced interference, but avoids requiring a resulting direct locality violation by predicting that this reduced interference also occurs in a simple singles intensity observation. In contrast, de Broglie's locally causal interpretation of quantum mechanics requires that the experiment on the remote correlated system cannot change the amplitudes or phase relationship of coherent space-time wave propagating through the two channels, so that the full classical optics interference effect should be predicted for both singles and coincidence intensities.     

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics and the Bohmian Interpretation

No Heading Conventional relativistic quantum mechanics, based on the Klein-Gordon equation, does not possess a natural probabilistic interpretation in configuration space. The Bohmian interpretation, in which probabilities play a secondary role, provides a viable interpretation of relativistic quantum mechanics. We formulate the Bohmian interpretation of many-particle wave functions in a Lorentz-covariant way. In contrast with the nonrelativistic case, the relativistic Bohmian interpretation may lead to measurable predictions on particle positions even when the conventional interpretation does not lead to such predictions.     

What do we learn about quantum mechanics from the theory of measurement?

It is argued that a quantum mechanical analysis of the measurement process permits one to adjudicate between an individual system interpretation of the state vector and an ensemble interpretation, in favor of the latter. Possible changes to quantum mechanics that would be necessary to enable it to describe individual systems are discussed.     

Decoherent Histories and Realism

We reconsider the decoherent histories approach to quantum mechanics and analyze some problems related to its interpretation which we believe have not been adequately clarified by its proponents. We put forward some assumptions which, in our opinion, are necessary for a realistic interpretation of the probabilities that the formalism attaches to decoherent histories. We prove that such assumptions, unless one limits the set of the decoherent families which can be taken into account, lead to a logical contradiction. The line of reasoning we follow is conceptually different from other arguments which have been presented and which have been rejected by the supporters of the decoherent histories approach. The conclusion is that the decoherent histories approach, to be considered as an interesting realistic alternative to the orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics, requires the identification of a mathematically precise criterion to characterize an appropriate set of decoherent families which does not give rise to any problem.     

“Quantal” Behavior in Classical Probability

A number of phenomena generally believed characteristic of quantum mechanics and seen as interpretively problematic—the incompatibility and value-indeterminateness of variables, the non-existence of dispersion-free states, the failure of the standard marginal-probability formula, the failure of the distributive law of disjunction and interference—are exemplified in an emphatically non-quantal system: a deck of playing cards. Thus the appearance in quantum mechanics of incompatibility and these associated phenomena requires neither explanation nor interpretation.     

On the reality of spin and helicity

The possibilities of a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics are investigated by means of a statistical analysis of experiments performed on the simplest type of quantum systems carrying spin or helicity. To this end, fundamental experiments, some new, for measuring polarization are reviewed and (re)analyzed. Theunsharp reality of spin is essential in the interpretation of some of these experiments and represents a natural motivation for recent generalizations of quantum mechanics to a theory incorporating effect-valued measures as unsharp observables and generalized systems of imprimitivity.     

An Introduction to Many Worlds in Quantum Computation

The interpretation of quantum mechanics is an area of increasing interest to many working physicists. In particular, interest has come from those involved in quantum computing and information theory, as there has always been a strong foundational element in this field. This paper introduces one interpretation of quantum mechanics, a modern ‘many-worlds’ theory, from the perspective of quantum computation. Reasons for seeking to interpret quantum mechanics are discussed, then the specific ‘neo-Everettian’ theory is introduced and its claim as the best available interpretation defended. The main objections to the interpretation, including the so-called “problem of probability” are shown to fail. The local nature of the interpretation is demonstrated, and the implications of this both for the interpretation and for quantum mechanics more generally are discussed. Finally, the consequences of the theory for quantum computation are investigated, and common objections to using many worlds to describe quantum computing are answered. We find that using this particular many-worlds theory as a physical foundation for quantum computation gives several distinct advantages over other interpretations, and over not interpreting quantum theory at all.     

The measurement statistics interpretation of quantum mechanics: Possible values and possible measurement results of physical quantities

Starting with the Born interpretation of quantum mechanics, we show that the quantum theory of measurement, supplemented by the strong law of large numbers, leads to a measurement statistics interpretation of quantum mechanics. A probabilistic characterization of the spectrum of a physical quantity is given, and an analysis of the notions of possible values and possible measurement results is carried out.     

量子力学诠释问题

量子力学的建立不仅奠定了当代科学的基础,而且在推动当代技术革命方面取得了惊人的成功。然而,对于量子力学诠释(interpretation of quantum mechanics)——理解波函数如何刻画微观世界,人们迄今为止并未形成共识。量子力学发展的这种二元状态不仅带来了认识论方面的误导,而且依据备受争议的哥本哈根诠释建立起来的量子技术会有许多根本性问题。
量子力学的哥本哈根诠释存在二元结构的问题：微观世界的运动用量子力学描述,是一个幺正演化,而观察或测量却依赖于量子系统外部的经典世界(仪器、观察者、环境),表现出来的波包塌缩是非幺正的。为此,包括爱因斯坦、薛定谔、温伯格等在内的一些著名学者对哥本哈根诠释提出了尖锐的批评。80年过去了,为克服量子力学的哥本哈根诠释二元论困境,人们提出各种各样的量子力学诠释,包括多世界诠释、量子退相干诠释、自洽历史诠释以及量子达尔文主义等。文章将简要介绍和评述这些量子力学诠释的基本思想、它们之间的逻辑关系及其实验检验的可能性。进一步澄清量子力学诠释中的基本概念,可以避免量子观念滥用导致的意识论上的问题和量子技术发展误入歧途。     

The significance of a hidden variable proof and the logical interpretation of quantum mechanics

This paper examines the logical interpretation of quantum mechanics. Since this interpretation is based on a proof by Kochen and Specker that purports to demonstrate that hidden variable theories for quantum mechanics are excluded, the proof and its significance for the understanding of hidden variable theories and standard quantum mechanics are discussed.Work supported by the National Science Foundation.     

A Unified Algebraic Approach to Quantum Theory

Conventional approaches to quantum mechanics are essentially dualistic. This is reflected in the fact that their mathematical formulation is based on two distinct mathematical structures: the algebra of dynamical variables (observables) and the vector space of state vectors. In contrast, coherent interpretations of quantum mechanics highlight the fact that quantum phenomena must be considered as undivided wholes. Here, we discuss a purely algebraic formulation of quantum mechanics. This formulation does not require the specification of a space of state vectors; rather, the required vector spaces can be identified as substructures in the algebra of dynamical variables (suitably extended for bosonic systems). This formulation of quantum mechanics captures the undivided wholeness characteristic of quantum phenomena, and provides insight into their characteristic nonseparability and nonlocality. The interpretation of the algebraic formulation in terms of quantum process is discussed.     

What Is a Quantum-Mechanical “Weak Value” the Value of?

A so called “weak value” of an observable in quantum mechanics (QM) may be obtained in a weak measurement + post-selection procedure on the QM system under study. Applied to number operators, it has been invoked in revisiting some QM paradoxes (e.g., the so called Three-Box Paradox and Hardy’s Paradox). This requires the weak value to be interpreted as a bona fide property of the system considered, a par with entities like operator mean values and eigenvalues. I question such an interpretation; it has no support in the basic axioms of quantum mechanics and it leads to unreasonable results in concrete situations.     

Quantum Physics and Classical Physics—In the Light of Quantum Logic

In contrast to the Copenhagen interpretation we consider quantum mechanics as universally valid and query whether classical physics is really intuitive and plausible. We discuss these problems within the quantum logic approach to quantum mechanics where the classical ontology is relaxed by reducing metaphysical hypotheses. On the basis of this weak ontology a formal logic of quantum physics can be established which is given by an orthomodular lattice. By means of the Solèr condition and Piron's result one obtains the classical Hilbert spaces. However, this approach is not fully convincing. There is no plausible justification of Solèr's law and the quantum ontology is partly too weak and partly too strong. We propose to replace this ontology by an ontology of unsharp properties and conclude that quantum mechanics is more intuitive than classical mechanics and that classical mechanics is not the macroscopic limit of quantum mechanics.