A Simple Model for an Objective Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

An SR model is presented that shows how an objective (noncontextual and local) interpretation of quantum mechanics can be constructed, which contradicts some well-established beliefs following from the standard interpretation of the theory and from known no-go theorems. The SR model is not a hidden variables theory in the standard sense, but it can be considered a hidden parameters theory which satisfies constraints that are weaker than those usually imposed on standard hidden variables theories. The SR model is also extended in a natural way that shows how a broader theory embodying quantum mechanics can be envisaged which is realistic in a semantic sense, hence compatible with various realistic perspectives.     

Locality in the Everett Interpretation of Heisenberg-Picture Quantum Mechanics

Bell's theorem depends crucially on counterfactual reasoning, and is mistakenly interpreted as ruling out a local explanation for the correlations which can be observed between the results of measurements performed on spatially-separated quantum systems. But in fact the Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics, in the Heisenberg picture, provides an alternative local explanation for such correlations. Measurement-type interactions lead, not to many worlds but, rather, to many local copies of experimental systems and the observers who measure their properties. Transformations of the Heisenberg-picture operators corresponding to the properties of these systems and observers, induced by measurement interactions, label each copy and provide the mechanism which, e. g., ensures that each copy of one of the observers in an EPRB or GHZM experiment will only interact with the correct copy of the other observer(s). The conceptual problem of nonlocality is thus replaced with a conceptual problem of proliferating labels, as correlated systems and observers undergo measurement-type interactions with newly-encountered objects and instruments; it is suggested that this problem may be resolved by considering quantum field theory rather than the quantum mechanics of particles.     

Quantum Machine and Semantic Realism Approach: a Unified Model

The Geneva–Brussels approach to quantum mechanics (QM) and the semantic realism (SR) nonstandard interpretation of QM exhibit some common features and some deep conceptual differences. We discuss in this paper two elementary models provided in the two approaches as intuitive supports to general reasonings and as a proof of consistency of general assumptions, and show that Aerts’ quantum machine can be embodied into a macroscopic version of the microscopic SR model, overcoming the seeming incompatibility between the two models. This result provides some hints for the construction of a unified perspective in which the two approaches can be properly placed.     

The Ithaca Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, and Objective Probabilities

The Ithaca interpretation of quantum mechanics, proposed in 1996 by David Mermin, seeks to reduce the interpretive puzzles of quantum mechanics to the single puzzle of interpreting objective quantum probabilities. Some suggestions are made as to how the numerical values of quantum probabilities could be ontologically based in a world containing all the possible outcomes of all probabilistic processes. It is then shown that Hardy's paradox, discussed by Mermin, can be resolved when probabilities are interpreted in this way.     

A Perspectival Version of the Modal Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics and the Origin of Macroscopic Behavior

We study the process of observation (measurement), within the framework of a perspectival (relational, relative state) version of the modal interpretation of quantum mechanics. We show that if we assume certain features of discreteness and determinism in the operation of the measuring device (which could be a part of the observer's nerve system), this gives rise to classical characteristics of the observed properties, in the first place to spatial localization. We investigate to what extent semi-classical behavior of the object system itself (as opposed to the observational system) is needed for the emergence of classicality. Decoherence is an essential element in the mechanism of observation that we assume, but it turns out that in our approach no environment-induced decoherence on the level of the object system is required for the emergence of classical properties.     

Embedding Quantum Mechanics into an Objective Framework

An elementary model is given which shows how an objective (hence local and noncontextual) picture of the microworld can be constructed without conflicting with quantum mechanics (QM). This contradicts known no-go theorems, which however do not hold in the model, and supplies some suggestions for a broader theory in which QM can be embedded.     

Locality in the Everett Interpretation of Quantum Field Theory

Recently it has been shown that transformations of Heisenberg-picture operators are the causal mechanism which allows Bell-theorem-violating correlations at a distance to coexist with locality in the Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics. A calculation to first order in perturbation theory of the generation of EPRB entanglement in nonrelativistic fermionic field theory in the Heisenberg picture illustrates that the same mechanism leads to correlations without nonlocality in quantum field theory as well. An explicit transformation is given to a representation in which initial-condition information is transferred from the state vector to the field operators, making the locality of the theory manifest.     

The Information Interpretation and the Conceptual Problems of Quantum Mechanics

It has been traditionally considered that Quantum Mechanics has two conceptual kinds of problems, namely, those related with local-realism and the so-called measurement problem. That is, the uniqueness of the result when we make a measurement. With the development of what is called generically Quantum Information Theory, a new form of the Copenhagen interpretation of the formalism has taken shape.⁽¹⁾ In this paper, we will analyse if this information interpretation is able to clarify these old problems. Although this interpretation seems to be the most promising approach we have, we have reached the conclusion that the answer cannot be given in a positive and clear way yet.     

Violation of Locality Beyond Bell's Theorem for Multiparticle Perfect Correlations

We present the analogous inequalities of Bell's inequality for N-qubit system predicted respectively by realistic theory, quantum mechanics, local theory, local realistic theory, and local quantum theory on the same Bell-type joint experiment. It is shown that quantum mechanics can be interpreted by hidden-variable theories while being incompatible to any local theory. A necessary condition for the separability of N-qubit system is derived.     

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.     

Remarks on Mohrhoff's Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

In a recently proposed interpretation of quantum mechanics, U. Mohrhoff advocates original and thought-provoking views on space and time, the definition of macroscopic objects, and the meaning of probability statements. The interpretation also addresses a number of questions about factual events and the nature of reality. The purpose of this note is to examine several issues raised by Mohrhoff's interpretation, and to assess whether it helps providing solutions to the long-standing problems of quantum mechanics.     

Quantum Mechanics is About Quantum Information

I argue that quantum mechanics is fundamentally a theory about the representation and manipulation of information, not a theory about the mechanics of nonclassical waves or particles. The notion of quantum information is to be understood as a new physical primitive---just as, following Einsteins special theory of relativity, a field is no longer regarded as the physical manifestation of vibrations in a mechanical medium, but recognized as a new physical entity in its own right.     

Towards a Neo-Copenhagen Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

The Copenhagen interpretation is critically considered. A number of ambiguities, inconsistencies and confusions are discussed. It is argued that it is possible to purge the interpretation so as to obtain a consistent and reasonable way to interpret the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics, which is in agreement with the way this theory is dealt with in experimental practice. In particular, the essential role attributed by the Copenhagen interpretation to measurement is acknowledged. For this reason it is proposed to refer to it as a neo-Copenhagen interpretation.     

Modeling Modal Talk in Quantum Mechanics

In this paper, modal and counterfactual logical connectives are defined in an extended framework of branching space-time (Belnap, N. D. (1992). Branching space-time. Synthese 92, 385–434). It is shown that a variety of definitions of the counterfactual can be given. The validity of certain modal statements occurring in quantum mechanics depends on the choice of definition. These considerations can be applied to an analysis of Stapp’s premises LOC1 and LOC2 from his purported proof of non-locality (Stapp, H. P. (1997). Nonlocal character of quantum theory. American Journal of Physics 65, 300–304). It is shown that while the validity of LOC1 depends on the choice of the definition of the counterfactual, LOC2 is absolutely invalid.     

Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics

The Newton equation of motion is derived from quantum mechanics.     

A Semantic Approach to the Completeness Problem in Quantum Mechanics

The old Bohr–Einstein debate about the completeness of quantum mechanics (QM) was held on an ontological ground. The completeness problem becomes more tractable, however, if it is preliminarily discussed from a semantic viewpoint. Indeed every physical theory adopts, explicitly or not, a truth theory for its observative language, in terms of which the notions of semantic objectivity and semantic completeness of the physical theory can be introduced and inquired. In particular, standard QM adopts a verificationist theory of truth that implies its semantic nonobjectivity; moreover, we show in this paper that standard QM is semantically complete, which matches Bohr's thesis. On the other hand, one of the authors has provided a Semantic Realism (or SR) interpretation of QM that adopts a Tarskian theory of truth as correspondence for the observative language of QM (which was previously mantained to be impossible); according to this interpretation QM is semantically objective, yet incomplete, which matches EPR's thesis. Thus, standard QM and the SR interpretation of QM come to opposite conclusions. These can be reconciled within an integrationist perspective that interpretes non-Tarskian theories of truth as theories of metalinguistic concepts different from truth.     

Algebras of Measurements: The Logical Structure of Quantum Mechanics

In quantum physics, a measurement is represented by a projection on some closed subspace of a Hilbert space. We study algebras of operators that abstract from the algebra of projections on closed subspaces of a Hilbert space. The properties of such operators are justified on epistemological grounds. Commutation of measurements is a central topic of interest. Classical logical systems may be viewed as measurement algebras in which all measurements commute. PACS: 02.10.-V.     

消干效应和量子力学新解释的意义

简单介绍了消干 (decoherence)效应以及量子力学的一种新解释———由Griffiths,Gell Mann和Omn埁ｓ等独立提出的“消干历史解释”的由来和要点 ,评述了这一进展在量子理论发展中的意义 .     

Incompatible and Contradictory Retrodictions in the History Approach to Quantum Mechanics

We illustrate two simple spin examples which show that in the consistent histories approach to quantum mechanics one can retrodict with certainty incompatible or contradictory propositions corresponding to non-orthogonal or, respectively, orthogonal projections.     

Failure of Standard Quantum Mechanics for the Description of Compound Quantum Entities

We reformulate the separated quantum entities theorem, i.e., the theorem that proves that two separated quantum entities cannot be described by means of standard quantum mechanics, within the fully elaborated operational Geneva–Brussels approach to quantum axiomatics, where the basic mathematical structure is that of a State Property System. We give arguments that show that the core of this result indicates a failure of standard quantum mechanics, and not just some peculiar shortcoming due to the axiomatic approach to quantum mechanics itself.