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Journal ArticleDOI

On Hidden Variables and Quantum Mechanical Probabilities

01 Aug 1970-American Journal of Physics (American Association of Physics Teachers)-Vol. 38, Iss: 8, pp 1005-1009
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that a description of the quantum mechanical measurement of the spin components of these two particles by means of hidden parameters is impossible if we assume that the parameters determining the outcome of the measurement of each particle are independent of the direction in which we decide to decide to measure the spin of the other particle.
Abstract: An argument, due originally to J. S. Bell, is somewhat simplified and made more specific. It deals primarily with a quantum mechanical system consisting of the spins of two spin−1/2 particles. It shows that a description of the quantum mechanical measurement of the spin components of these two particles by means of hidden parameters is impossible if we assume that the parameters determining the outcome of the measurement of the spin of each particle are independent of the direction in which we decide to measure the spin of the other particle. The mathematical reason for the impossibility is analyzed.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Bell's theorem represents a significant advance in understanding the conceptual foundations of quantum mechanics as mentioned in this paper, showing that essentially all local theories of natural phenomena that are formulated within the framework of realism may be tested using a single experimental arrangement.
Abstract: Bell's theorem represents a significant advance in understanding the conceptual foundations of quantum mechanics. The theorem shows that essentially all local theories of natural phenomena that are formulated within the framework of realism may be tested using a single experimental arrangement. Moreover, the predictions by those theories must significantly differ from those by quantum mechanics. Experimental results evidently refute the theorem's predictions for these theories and favour those of quantum mechanics. The conclusions are philosophically startling: either one must totally abandon the realistic philosophy of most working scientists, or dramatically revise out concept of space-time.

1,285 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Statistical Interpretation of quantum theory is formulated for the purpose of providing a sound interpretation using a minimum of assumptions as discussed by the authors, and it is based on the assumption that the quantum state description applies only to an ensemble of similarly prepared systems, rather than supposing, as is often done, that it exhaustively represents an individual physical system.
Abstract: The Statistical Interpretation of quantum theory is formulated for the purpose of providing a sound interpretation using a minimum of assumptions Several arguments are advanced in favor of considering the quantum state description to apply only to an ensemble of similarily prepared systems, rather than supposing, as is often done, that it exhaustively represents an individual physical system Most of the problems associated with the quantum theory of measurement are artifacts of the attempt to maintain the latter interpretation The introduction of hidden variables to determine the outcome of individual events is fully compatible with the statistical predictions of quantum theory However, a theorem due to Bell seems to require that any such hidden-variable theory which reproduces all of quantum mechanics exactly (ie, not merely in some limiting case) must possess a rather pathological character with respect to correlated, but spacially separated, systems

933 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1982
TL;DR: In the recent literature the use of the term "philosophy of quantum mechanics" is very similar to that of the corresponding term "physics of mathematics" as discussed by the authors, which includes a vast class of research: from very technical investigations about the logical foundations of the theory up to general discussions of some traditional gnoseological and metaphysical questions (such as "idealismus" versus "realismus".
Abstract: In the recent literature the use of the term “Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics” is very similar to that of the corresponding term “Philosophy of Mathematics”. Its denotation includes a vast class of research: from very technical investigations about the logical foundations of the theory up to general discussions of some traditional gnoseological and metaphysical questions (such as “idealismus” versus “realismus”, etc.).

493 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the most recent progresses on the studies related to hidden variable theories (HVT), both from an experimental and a theoretical point of view, giving a larger emphasis to results with a direct experimental application.

453 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1978
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the question whether the photon or the electron may have come through both the slits or only through one of them after it has already transversed that screen.
Abstract: Publisher Summary Partway down the optic axis of the traditional double­slit experiment stands the central element, the doubly-slit screen This chapter discusses the question whether the photon—or the electron—shall have come through both the slits or only through one of them after it has already transversed that screen The possibility to use the receptor at the end of the apparatus to record well-defined interference fringes is known One can determine the lateral kick given to the receptor by each arriving quantum and can record the fringes or the kicks but not both The arrangement for the recording of the one automatically rules out the recording of the other It is easy to complicate the double-slit interference pattern For that purpose, it is enough to have a complicated single-slit diffraction pattern and let the waves from two such slits interfere It is not necessary to understand every point about the quantum principle in order to understand something about it

364 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a theorem of Bell, proving that certain predictions of quantum mechanics are inconsistent with the entire family of local hidden-variable theories, is generalized so as to apply to realizable experiments.
Abstract: A theorem of Bell, proving that certain predictions of quantum mechanics are inconsistent with the entire family of local hidden-variable theories, is generalized so as to apply to realizable experiments. A proposed extension of the experiment of Kocher and Commins, on the polarization correlation of a pair of optical photons, will provide a decisive test between quantum mechanics and local hidden-variable theories.

6,887 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the measurement problem in quantum mechanics is re-examined and it is shown that it cannot really be solved in a satisfactory way, within the framework of the usual interpretation of the theory.
Abstract: The measurement problem in quantum mechanics is re-examined and it is shown that it cannot really be solved in a satisfactory way, within the framework of the usual interpretation of the theory. We then discuss von Neumann's attempts to prove that quantum mechanics is incompatible with the introduction of hidden variables, and develop a more detailed form of Bell's argument, showing that von Neumann's analysis is invalid. Using certain ideas that are implicit in the "differential-space" theory of Wiener and Siegel, we go on to propose a new deterministic equation of motion, describing a kind of coupling of the measuring instrument to the observed system that explains in detail how the wave packet is "reduced" during a measurement in a continuous and causally determined way. By averaging over the hidden parameters, we then recover the usual statistical results of quantum mechanics as a special case. However, a more detailed analysis of the theory shows that new experimental and theoretical questions can now be raised, which go outside the framework of the quantum theory as it is now formulated. These questions are examined briefly.

324 citations