On a reinterpretation of decay experiments

Discussion of the basic formula conventionally used to interpret decay measurements shows that it is incompatible with the accepted physical interpretation of quantum mechanics. Two alternative theoretical correlates of the actual experiments are discussed. The first assumes a sequence of observations performed on the same object, each causing a collapse of the wave function. The second theory constructs a time-of-sojourn operator on the assumption that the protracted interaction between object and measurement apparatus is “gentle.” The first theoretical formula is developed with the result that the decay probability shows an asymptotic decrease which is at least exponential, contrary to the conventional theory.