Showing papers on "Consistent histories published in 1983"
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: The conceptual problems generated by the generally accepted interpretation of quantum mechanics overshadow in philosophical depth those generated by older quantum theory to such an extent that one is likely to forget the latter as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The conceptual problems generated by the generally accepted interpretation of quantum mechanics overshadow in philosophical depth those generated by the older quantum theory (see for example the collections of basic papers edited by ter Haar, 1967, and Kangro, 1972) to such an extent that one is likely to forget the latter. Nevertheless, these were very real also, though more concrete and lying more within physics proper than those generated by quantum mechanics.
60 citations
TL;DR: Two recent precision experiments provide conclusive evidence against any local hidden variables theory and in favor of standard quantum mechanics.
Abstract: Two recent precision experiments provide conclusive evidence against any local hidden variables theory and in favor of standard quantum mechanics. Therefore the epistemology and the ontology of quantum mechanics must now be taken more seriously than ever before. The consequences of the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics are summarized in nontechnical language. The implications of the finiteness of Planck's constant (h > 0) for the quantum world are as strange as the implications of the finiteness of the speed of light (c < infinity for space and time in relativity theory. Both lead to realities beyond our common experience that cannot be rejected.
41 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the conditional probability with respect to a single event is defined in a generalized probability space, consisting of the lattice of projections of a von Neumann algebra and a probability measure defined on it.
Abstract: The mathematical structure of quantum mechanics suggests the definition of a generalized probability space, consisting of the lattice of projections of a von Neumann algebra and a probability measure defined on it. The conditional probability with respect to a single event is defined in this space and the physical relevance of this notion for quantum mechanics is pointed out.
38 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a short, self-contained summary of problems connected with the interpretation of state vectors in quantum mechanics is presented, and the reconstruction of the ψ function from statistical data, some related mathematical questions, the classical paradoxes, the probability interpretation of the state vectors, and, finally, quantum logic in relation to hidden variable theories and Hilbert space formalism are discussed.
Abstract: This is a short, self-contained summary of problems connected with the interpretation of state vectors in quantum mechanics. We discuss the reconstruction of the “ψ function” from statistical data, some related mathematical questions, the classical “paradoxes,” the probability interpretation of the state vectors, and, finally, quantum logic in relation to hidden variable theories and Hilbert space formalism, to build up a consistent framework for the indeterministic quantum picture of nature.
19 citations
TL;DR: Recently, the authors showed that quantum superluminal correlations between the action of independent parts of a measuring device separated by space-like intervals can be interpreted causally within the frame of the stochastic interpretation of quantum mechanics.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the problem of finding, in the context of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, the motion of a particle constrained to move along an arbitrary space curve by the action of external forces.
Abstract: We discuss in this letter the problem of finding, in the context of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, the motion of a particle constrained to move along an arbitrary space curve by the action of external forces. The type of constraining potential, necessary to obtain a meaningful result, is considered in some detail, since there still seems to be some misconceptions about this subject in the current literature.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this article, controversial problems of interpretation of quantum mechanics and quantal measurements are discussed, and comments are given on controversial problems in interpreting quantum mechanics interpretation and quantification of quantum measurements.
6 citations
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey devoted to generalizations of the modern theory of measurement and the probabilistic interpretation of quantum-mechanical quantities is presented, where the relation between the quasidispersion and dispersion of indirect measurements is discussed.
Abstract: The survey is devoted to generalizations of the modern theory of measurement and the probabilistic interpretation of quantum-mechanical quantities. The relation between the quasidispersion and dispersion of indirect measurements is discussed. An example is presented of a dynamical system with random parameters averaging with respect to which is equivalent to averaging of an appropriate pseudodifferential operator relative to a certain quantum-mechanical function of state.
5 citations
TL;DR: The connection of the structure of statistical selection procedures with measure theory is investigated in this paper, where the methods of measure theory are applied in order to analyze a mathematical description of preparation and registration of physical systems that is used by G. Ludwig for a foundation of quantum mechanics.
Abstract: The connection of the structure of statistical selection procedures with measure theory is investigated. The methods of measure theory are applied in order to analyze a mathematical description of preparation and registration of physical systems that is used by G. Ludwig for a foundation of quantum mechanics.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a potential causality paradox in quantum mechanics involving the measurement of a correlated system of two atoms that have moved far apart is constructed along the lines of a classical causal paradox involving the exchange of superluminal signals between distant observers.
Abstract: A potential causality paradox in quantum mechanics involving the measurement of a correlated system of two atoms that have moved far apart is constructed along the lines of a classical causality paradox involving the exchange of superluminal signals between distant observers. It is shown that the quantum measurement example does not lead to a paradox, but that the results have implications for the interpretation of quantum mechanics. The thought experiments presented have been used in undergraduate courses in special relativity and quantum mechanics.
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that the only possible "causal" way out of the resulting contradiction between relativity and the quantum theory of measurement seems to lie in the direction of an extension of the stochastic interpretations of quantum mechanics in terms of subquantum random fluctuations resulting from the action of a hidden invariant thermostat.
Abstract: Recent discussions on the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox1 have shown that quantum mechanics implies spacelike correlations between two linear polarizers which measure the rate of coincidence between the relative orientations of pairs of photons emitted in the S state. If a forthcoming crucial experiment of Aspect2 confirms this then the only possible “causal” (i.e., which preserves the fundamental fact that no individual particle can leave the light cone) way out of the resulting contradiction between relativity and the quantum theory of measurement seems to lie in the direction of an extension of the stochastic interpretations of quantum mechanics in terms of subquantum random fluctuations resulting from the action of a stochastic “hidden” invariant thermostat. Indeed these models (a) deduce the form of the quantum waves from the physical assumption that the stochastic jumps occur at the velocity of light; (b) interpret the preceding superluminal interaction in terms of superluminal propagation of a “quantum potential”3 which is not carried by individual particles but results from phaselike collective motions carried by the said thermostat.
TL;DR: In this paper, it is shown that it is possible to conceive within a classical framework an interpretation of quantum mechanics and to make its limits of validity precise, which is a remarkable formalism for studying problems in the microscopic domain.
Abstract: Quantum mechanics is a remarkable formalism for studying problems in the microscopic domain, and nobody has reasonably contested its power. Nevertheless, in spite of the many interpretations which have been proposed, its true meaning is far from being clear. The aim of this preliminary paper is to show that it is possible to conceive within a classical framework an interpretation of quantum mechanics and to make its limits of validity precise.
TL;DR: In this paper, consistency conditions on the path of a particle are imposed and it is shown that they imply Hamilton's principle in classical contexts and Schrodinger's equation in quantum mechanical contexts.
Abstract: This paper imposes consistency conditions on the path of a particle and shows that they imply Hamilton's principle in classical contexts and Schrodinger's equation in quantum mechanical contexts. Thus this paper provides a common, intuitive foundation for classical and quantum mechanics. It also provides a very new perspective on quantum mechanics.
TL;DR: In this paper, the formalism of equilibrium quantum statistical mechanics can fully be incorporated into Ludwig's embedding scheme for classical theories in many-body quantum mechanics, and a construction procedure based on a recently developed reconstruction procedure for the so-called macro-observable is presented which leads to the explicit determination of the set of classical ensembles compatible with the embedding schemes.
Abstract: The aim of the present paper is to show that the formalism of equilibrium quantum statistical mechanics can fully be incorporated into Ludwig's embedding scheme for classical theories in many-body quantum mechanics. A construction procedure based on a recently developed reconstruction procedure for the so-called macro-observable is presented which leads to the explicit determination of the set of classical ensembles compatible with the embedding scheme.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the initial assumption in quantum mechanics is that particles or subsystems can be isolated from the physical world but still behave in a realistic fashion, and that the above assumption is not only naive but it has far reaching consequences.
Abstract: An initial assumption in quantum mechanics is that particles (or subsystems) can be isolated from the physical world but still behave in a realistic fashion. The authors show that the above assumption is not only naive but it has far reaching consequences. In particular, time-reversibility, microscopic reversibility and time-energy uncertainty principles must be reinterpreted for real non-isolated systems. Moreover the new interpretation is far more consistent than that presently accepted for isolated systems.