Quantum Reality and Measurement: A?Quantum?Logical Approach

The recently established universal uncertainty principle revealed that two nowhere commuting observables can be measured simultaneously in some state, whereas they have no joint probability distribution in any state. Thus, one measuring apparatus can simultaneously measure two observables that have no simultaneous reality. In order to reconcile this discrepancy, an approach based on quantum logic is proposed to establish the relation between quantum reality and measurement. We provide a language speaking of values of observables independent of measurement based on quantum logic and we construct in this language the state-dependent notions of joint determinateness, value identity, and simultaneous measurability. This naturally provides a contextual interpretation, in which we can safely claim such a statement that one measuring apparatus measures one observable in one context and simultaneously it measures another nowhere commuting observable in another incompatible context.     

Fuzzy sets in the theory of measurement of incompatible observables

The notion of fuzzy event is introduced in the theory of measurement in quantum mechanics by indicating in which sense measurements can be considered to yield fuzzy sets. The concept of probability measure on fuzzy events is defined, and its general properties are deduced from the operational meaning assigned to it. It is pointed out that such probabilities can be derived from the formalism of quantum mechanics. Any such probability on a given fuzzy set is related to the frequency of occurrence within that set of points in a random sample, where the sample points are themselves fuzzy sets obtained as outcomes of measurements of, in general, incompatible observables on replicas of the system in the same prepared state.     

An operational approach to quantum probability

In order to provide a mathmatical framework for the process of making repeated measurements on continuous observables in a statistical system we make a mathematical definition of an instrument, a concept which generalises that of an observable and that of an operation. It is then possible to develop such notions as joint and conditional probabilities without any of the commutation conditions needed in the approach via observables. One of the crucial notions is that of repeatability which we show is implicitly assumed in most of the axiomatic treatments of quantum mechanics, but whose abandonment leads to a much more flexible approach to measurement theory.At present on leave from the University of Oxford, Research supported by N.S.F. grant GP-7952X and A.F.O.S.R. contract no. F 44620-67-C-0029.At present on leave from Brasenose College, Oxford. Research supported by A.F.O.S.R. grant AF-AFOFR-69-1712.     

Nonclassical joint distributions and Bell measurements

Derivation and experimental violation of Bell-like inequalities involve the measurement of incompatible observables. Simple complementarity forbids the existence of such joint probability distribution. Moreover, the measurement of incompatible observables requires different experimental procedures, which no necessarily must share a common joint statistics. In this work, we avoid these difficulties by proposing a joint simultaneous measurement. We can obtain the exact individual statistics of all the observables involved in the Bell inequalities after a suitable data inversion. A lack of positivity or any other pathology of the so retrieved joint distribution is then a signature of nonclassical behavior.     

How to solve the measurement problem of quantum mechanics

A solution to the measurement problem of quantum mechanics is proposed within the framework of an intepretation according to which only quantum systems with an infinite number of degrees of freedom have determinate properties, i.e., determinate values for (some) observables of the theory. The important feature of the infinite case is the existence of many inequivalent irreducible Hilbert space representations of the algebra of observables, which leads, in effect, to a restriction on the superposition principle, and hence the possibility of defining (macro-) observables which commute with every observable. Such observables have determinate values which are not subject to quantum interference effects. A measurement process is schematized as an interaction between a microsystem and a macrosystem, idealized as an infinite quantum system, and it is shown that there exists a unitary transformation which transforms the initial pure state of the composite system in a finite time (the duration of the interaction) into the required mixture of disjoint states.     

Quantum perfect correlations

The notion of perfect correlations between arbitrary observables, or more generally arbitrary POVMs, is introduced in the standard formulation of quantum mechanics, and characterized by several well-established statistical conditions. The transitivity of perfect correlations is proved to generally hold, and applied to a simple articulation for the failure of Hardy’s nonlocality proof for maximally entangled states. The notion of perfect correlations between observables and POVMs is used for defining the notion of a precise measurement of a given observable in a given state. A longstanding misconception on the correlation made by the measuring interaction is resolved in the light of the new theory of quantum perfect correlations.     

Theory of measurement of entangled states

Problem on reconstruction of state of finite-dimension quantum information transfer channel, pure or mixed, by results of measurements of needed number of observables, is considered. It is shown that in general case it is needed to measure incompatible observables in number exceeding by one dimension of space of vectors of state. Each of incompatible observables is measured in its statistically valuable series of measurements. In special case, when one of observables is a non-demolition observable, measurement of the other observables is needed for realization of control of property of non-demolition. In case of paired channel it is shown that results of measurements of observables that do not demolish states of sub-channels are characterized by mutual distribution of probabilities while results of measurement of over-classical observables are characterized by mutual correlation only. This correlation vanishes completely in case of pure unentangled states.     

Amplitude phase-space model for quantum mechanics

We show that there is a close relationship between quantum mechanics and ordinary probability theory. The main difference is that in quantum mechanics the probability is computed in terms of an amplitude function, while in probability theory a probability distribution is used. Applying this idea, we then construct an amplitude model for quantum mechanics on phase space. In this model, states are represented by amplitude functions and observables are represented by functions on phase space. If we now postulate a conjugation condition, the model provides the same predictions as conventional quantum mechanics. In particular, we obtain the usual quantum marginal probabilities, conditional probabilities and expectations. The commutation relations and uncertainty principle also follow. Moreover Schrödinger's equation is shown to be an averaged version of Hamilton's equation in classical mechanics.     

Probability and logical structure of statistical theories

A characterization of statistical theories is given which incorporates both classical and quantum mechanics. It is shown that each statistical theory induces an associated logic and joint probability structure, and simple conditions are given for the structure to be of a classical or quantum type. This provides an alternative for the quantum logic approach to axiomatic quantum mechanics. The Bell inequalities may be derived for those statistical theories that have a classical structure and satisfy a locality condition weaker than factorizability. The relation of these inequalities to the issue of hidden variable theories for quantum mechanics is discussed and clarified.     

Empirical quantum mechanics

Machida and Namiki developed a many-Hilbert-spaces formalism for dealing with the interaction between a quantum object and a measuring apparatus. Their mathematically rugged formalism was polished first by Araki from an operator-algebraic standpoint and then by Ozawa for Boolean quantum mechanics, which approaches a quantum system with a compatible family of continuous superselection rules from a notable and perspicacious viewpoint. On the other hand, Foulis and Randall set up a formal theory for the empirical foundation of all sciences, at the hub of which lies the notion of a manual of operations. They deem an operation as the set of possible outcomes and put down a manual of operations at a family of partially overlapping operations. Their notion of a manual of operations was incorporated into a category-theoretic standpoint into that of a manual of Boolean locales by Nishimura, who looked upon an operation as the complete Boolean algebra of observable events. Considering a family of Hilbert spaces not over a single Boolean locale but over a manual of Boolean locales as a whole, Ozawa's Boolean quantum mechanics is elevated into empirical quantum mechanics, which is, roughly speaking, the study of quantum systems with incompatible families of continuous superselection rules. To this end, we are obliged to develop empirical Hilbert space theory. In particular, empirical versions of the square root lemma for bounded positive operators, the spectral theorem for (possibly unbounded) self-adjoint operators, and Stone's theorem for one-parameter unitary groups are established.     

Foundations of quantum probability

This paper presents an overview of the foundations of quantum probability. The main concepts in this theory are measurements and generalized actions. These concepts correspond to the usual quantum observables and states. Probabilities are computed by means of a universal influence function. We first derive the form of the universal influence function and then construct the amplitude and probability of a measurement with respect to a given generalized action. It is shown that traditional quantum mechanics can be derived as a special case of this theory and moreover the theory gives a complete realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics. It is demonstrated that spins of any order can be described within this framework and a realistic solution to the EPR problem can be achieved.     

Measurements and mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics

A scheme for constructing quantum mechanics is given that does not have Hilbert space and linear operators as its basic elements. Instead, a version of algebraic approach is considered. Elements of a noncommutative algebra (observables) and functionals on this algebra (elementary states) associated with results of single measurements are used as primary components of the scheme. On the one hand, it is possible to use within the scheme the formalism of the standard (Kolmogorov) probability theory, and, on the other hand, it is possible to reproduce the mathematical formalism of standard quantum mechanics, and to study the limits of its applicability. A short outline is given of the necessary material from the theory of algebras and probability theory. It is described how the mathematical scheme of the paper agrees with the theory of quantum measurements, and avoids quantum paradoxes.     

A derivation of local commutativity from macrocausality using a quantum mechanical theory of measurement

A theory of the joint measurement of quantum mechanical observables is generalized in order to make it applicable to the measurement of the local observables of field theory. Subsequently, the property of local commutativity, which is usually introduced as a postulate, is derived by means of the theory of measurement from a requirement of mutual nondisturbance, which, for local observables performed at a spacelike distance from each other, is interpreted as a requirement of macrocausality. Alternative attempts at establishing a deductive relationship between relativistic causality and local commutativity are reviewed, but found wanting, either because of the assumption of an unwarranted objectivity of the object system (algebraic approach) or because of the use of a projection postulate (operational approach). Finally, the quantum mechanical nonobjectivity is related to certain features of nonlocality which are present in the formalism of quantum mechanics.     

Elucidation of the probabilistic structure of quantum mechanics and definition of a compatible joint probability

A new integrated view on the probabilistic organization of quantum mechanics is constructed. It is then proved that for superposition state vectors the theoretical quantum mechanical distribution for the momentum observable is devoid of operational definition, and hence cannot be the source of conditions of compatibility to be imposed upon a researched joint probability concept. A compatible joint probability is defined.     

Quantum potential and the spatial distribution of observable values

Quantum potential theory points to the possibility and usefulness of assigning values of the momentum observable at each point on the configuration space. We give a formulation of such an idea for all observables together with an analysis of the meaning of such local values within quantum mechanics. The formulation is easily extended to obtain generalised phase space distributions.     

Uncertainty and complementarity in axiomatic quantum mechanics

In this work an investigation of the uncertainty principle and the complementarity principle is carried through. A study of the physical content of these principles and their representation in the conventional Hilbert space formulation of quantum mechanics forms a natural starting point for this analysis. Thereafter is presented more general axiomatic framework for quantum mechanics, namely, a probability function formulation of the theory. In this general framework two extra axioms are stated, reflecting the ideas of the uncertainty principle and the complementarity principle, respectively. The quantal features of these axioms are explicated. The sufficiency of the state system guarantees that the observables satisfying the uncertainty principle are unbounded and noncompatible. The complementarity principle implies a non-Boolean proposition structure for the theory. Moreover, nonconstant complementary observables are always noncompatible. The uncertainty principle and the complementarity principle, as formulated in this work, are mutually independent. Some order is thus brought into the confused discussion about the interrelations of these two important principles. A comparison of the present formulations of the uncertainty principle and the complementarity principle with the Jauch formulation of the superposition principle is also given. The mutual independence of the three fundamental principles of the quantum theory is hereby revealed.