The Meaning of the Interaction-Free Measurements

Interaction-free measurements introduced by Elitzur and Vaidman [Found. Phys. 23, 987 (1993)] allow finding infinitely fragile objects without destroying them. Many experiments have been successfully performed showing that indeed, the original scheme and its modifications lead to reduction of the disturbance of the observed systems. However, there is a controversy about the validity of the term interaction-free for these experiments. Broad variety of such experiments are reviewed and the meaning of the interaction-free measurements is clarified.     

Quantum-Mechanical Indirect Measurements

So-called interaction-free measurements and induced coherence without induced emission experiments are analyzed from a macrorealistic point of view, that is up to the point of time that the whole wavefunction has developed into the macroscopic stage. From the measurement of the visibility of interference between light photons in a detector, conclusions can be drawn on the interaction properties of photons with solid matter at a remote spot; this matter does not need to be part of a real detector. This probably novel way of doing experiments might have practical applications. Certain recently presented quantum-mechanical phenomena can easily be understood by applying the macrorealistic approach, and new interpretations of the wavefunction are not nescessary.     

Interaction-Free Measurement with Matter Waves

In the early 1990′s, A. Elitzur and L. Vaidman proposed an interaction-free measurement (IFM) that allows researchers to find infinitely fragile objects without destroying them. But the Elitzur-Vaidman IFM has been used only to determine the position of opaque objects. We propose a non-trivial extension of such a technique with matter waves, which allows measurement of classical fields. And we show severe limitations when we talk about gravitational fields.     

Quantum Information and Entropy

Thermodynamic entropy is not an entirely satisfactory measure of information of a quantum state. This entropy for an unknown pure state is zero, although repeated measurements on copies of such a pure state do communicate information. In view of this, we propose a new measure for the informational entropy of a quantum state that includes information in the pure states and the thermodynamic entropy. The origin of information is explained in terms of an interplay between unitary and non-unitary evolution. Such complementarity is also at the basis of the so-called interaction-free measurement.     

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.     

The Schrödinger-HJW Theorem

A concise presentation of Schrödinger's ancilla theorem (Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc. 32, 446 (1936)) and its several recent rediscoveries.     

Uncertainty Relation for Errors Focusing on General POVM Measurements with an Example of Two-State Quantum Systems

A novel uncertainty relation for errors of general quantum measurement is presented. The new relation, which is presented in geometric terms for maps representing measurement, is completely operational and can be related directly to tangible measurement outcomes. The relation violates the naïve bound ℏ/2 for the position-momentum measurement, whilst nevertheless respecting Heisenberg’s philosophy of the uncertainty principle. The standard Kennard–Robertson uncertainty relation for state preparations expressed by standard deviations arises as a corollary to its special non-informative case. For the measurement on two-state quantum systems, the relation is found to offer virtually the tightest bound possible; the equality of the relation holds for the measurement performed over every pure state. The Ozawa relation for errors of quantum measurements will also be examined in this regard. In this paper, the Kolmogorovian measure-theoretic formalism of probability—which allows for the representation of quantum measurements by positive-operator valued measures (POVMs)—is given special attention, in regard to which some of the measure-theory specific facts are remarked along the exposition as appropriate.     

The Histories Interpretation: Stability Instead of Consistency?

Using a reformulation of conventional results in decoherence theory, a condition is proposed for singling out a distinguished class of histories which includes those which use the pointer basis of Zurek.     

On some neglected thermodynamic peculiarities of quantum non-locality

The existence of non-local correlations has been discussed so far almost exclusively in the context of its apparent incompatibility with relativity theory. However, it also involves some intriguing thermodynamic problems. These problems are demonstrated by analyzing the EPR experiment. It is then shown that the transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics, originally devised to meet the relativistic problem associated with the EPR, provides an elegant solution for the thermodynamic problems as well.     

The Observer in the Quantum Experiment

A goal of most interpretations of quantum mechanics is to avoid the apparent intrusion of the observer into the measurement process. Such intrusion is usually seen to arise because observation somehow selects a single actuality from among the many possibilities represented by the wavefunction. The issue is typically treated in terms of the mathematical formulation of the quantum theory. We attempt to address a different manifestation of the quantum measurement problem in a theory-neutral manner. With a version of the two-slit experiment, we demonstrate that an enigma arises directly from the results of experiments. Assuming that no observable physical phenomena exist beyond those predicted by the theory, we argue that no interpretation of the quantum theory can avoid a measurement problem involving the observer.     

The Copenhagen Variant of the Modal Interpretation and Quantum theory of measurement

The implications of the Copenhagen Variant of the Modal Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics are studied in the context of the quantum theory of measurement. Two formulations of this interpretation are discussed. Both of them imply specifications of the notion of measurement which go beyond the minimal calibration condition of a measurement. The weaker one implies some algebraic and topological constrains on the measurement coupling, whereas the stronger formulation of the same interpretation implies that measurements are necessarily of the first kind.     

Locality and Measurements Within the SR Model for an Objective Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

One of the authors has recently propounded an SR (semantic realism) model which shows, circumventing known no-go theorems, that an objective (noncontextual, hence local) interpretation of quantum mechanics (QM) is possible. We consider here compound physical systems and show why the proofs of nonlocality of QM do not hold within the SR model, which is slightly simplified in this paper. We also discuss quantum measurement theory within this model, note that the objectification problem disappears since the measurement of any property simply reveals its unknown value, and show that the projection postulate can be considered as an approximate law, valid FAPP (for all practical purposes). Finally, we provide an intuitive picture that justifies some unusual features of the SR model and proves its consistency.     

在非线性J—C模型系统中制备“薛定谔猫态”

证明在含有克尔介质的双光子Ｊ－Ｃ模型系统中通过对原子的测量可以制备“薛定谔猫态”。选择适当的测量时间，原子初态及非线性系数，即可产生偶相干态，奇相干态和Ｙ－Ｓ相干态。     

Manipulation of Multi‐Level Quantum Systems via Unsharp Measurements and Feedback Operations

The recently proposed quantum control method called self‐fulfilling prophesy is investigated in multi‐level cases, based on a sequence of measurement‐feedback operations. The feedback operation is elaborately designed with respect to the eigenstates of the density matrix of the target state and its post‐measurement state. This design procedure is suitable for the generation of any predefined coherent superpositions of multiple quantum states and elicitation of desired quantum dynamics. For the sake of clearness, arbitrarily prescribed superposition states in three‐ and four‐level systems are prepared, and quantum dynamics achieved as desired. The simulation results indicate that the scheme tolerates modest imprecisions of feedback operation and is robust against sudden perturbations. Thus, the scheme enables new insight on quantum manipulations in a variety of multi‐level systems to be achieved.     

Tensor Products of Quantum Structures and Their Applications in Quantum Measurements

Tensor products of quantum logics and effect algebras with some known problems are reviewed. It is noticed that although tensor products of effect algebras having at least one state exist, in the category of complex Hilbert space effect algebras similar problems as with tensor products of projection lattices occur. Nevertheless, if one of the two coupled physical systems is classical, tensor product exists and can be considered as a Boolean power. Some applications of tensor products (in the form of Boolean powers) to quantum measurements are reviewed.     

Is the Epistemic View of Quantum Mechanics Incomplete?

One of the most tantalizing questions about the interpretation of Quantum Theory is the objective vs. subjective meaning of quantum states. Here, by focusing on a typical EPR experiment upon which a selection procedure is performed on one side, we will confront the fully epistemic view of quantum states with its results. Our statement is that such a view cannot be considered complete, although the opposite attitude would also pose well-known problems of interpretation.This paper is dedicated to Prof. Franco Selleri on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Nature Has No Elementary Particles and Makes No Measurements or Predictions: Quantum Measurement and Quantum Theory,from Bohr to Bell and from Bell to Bohr

This article reconsiders the concept of physical reality in quantum theory and the concept of quantum measurement, following Bohr, whose analysis of quantum measurement led him to his concept of a (quantum) “phenomenon,” referring to “the observations obtained under the specified circumstances,” in the interaction between quantum objects and measuring instruments. This situation makes the terms “observation” and “measurement,” as conventionally understood, inapplicable. These terms are remnants of classical physics or still earlier history, from which classical physics inherited it. As defined here, a quantum measurement does not measure any preexisting property of the ultimate constitution of the reality responsible for quantum phenomena. An act of measurement establishes a quantum phenomenon by an interaction between the instrument and the quantum object or in the present view the ultimate constitution of the reality responsible for quantum phenomena and, at the time of measurement, also quantum objects. In the view advanced in this article, in contrast to that of Bohr, quantum objects, such as electrons or photons, are assumed to exist only at the time of measurement and not independently, a view that redefines the concept of quantum object as well. This redefinition becomes especially important in high-energy quantum regimes and quantum field theory and allows this article to define a new concept of quantum field. The article also considers, now following Bohr, the quantum measurement as the entanglement between quantum objects and measurement instruments. The argument of the article is grounded in the concept “reality without realism” (RWR), as underlying quantum measurement thus understood, and the view, the RWR view, of quantum theory defined by this concept. The RWR view places a stratum of physical reality thus designated, here the reality ultimately responsible for quantum phenomena, beyond representation or knowledge, or even conception, and defines the corresponding set of interpretations quantum mechanics or quantum field theory, such as the one assumed in this article, in which, again, not only quantum phenomena but also quantum objects are (idealizations) defined by measurement. As such, the article also offers a broadly conceived response to J. Bell’s argument “against ‘measurement’”.     

A General No-Cloning Theorem

A simple theorem is proved which has most of the known no-cloning and no-broadcasting results as corollaries. It also implies the standard restrictions on measuring non-commuting observables.     

Reconstruction of Superoperators from Incomplete Measurements

We present strategies how to reconstruct (estimate) properties of a quantum channel described by the map E based on incomplete measurements. In a particular case of a qubit channel a complete reconstruction of the map E can be performed via complete tomography of four output states E[ρ_j] that originate from a set of four linearly independent “test” states ρ_j (j = 1,2,3,4) at the input of the channel. We study the situation when less than four linearly independent states are transmitted via the channel and measured at the output. We present strategies how to reconstruct the channel when just one, two or three states are transmitted via the channel. In particular, we show that if just one state is transmitted via the channel then the best reconstruction can be achieved when this state is a total mixture described by the density operator ρ = I/2. To improve the reconstruction procedure one has to send via the channel more states. The best strategy is to complement the total mixture with pure states that are mutually orthogonal in the sense of the Bloch-sphere representation. We show that unitary transformations (channels) can be uniquely reconstructed (determined) based on the information of how three properly chosen input states are transformed under the action of the channel.We have originally dedicated this paper to Asher Peres on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Unfortunately, since the submission of the paper for publication Asher Peres passed away so we dedicate this paper to his memory.