scholarly journals ON THE ORIGIN OF PROBABILITY IN QUANTUM MECHANICS

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 1230014 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEPHEN D. H. HSU
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Many Worlds ◽  
Wave Function Collapse

I give a brief introduction to many worlds or "no wave function collapse" quantum mechanics, suitable for non-specialists. I then discuss the origin of probability in such formulations, distinguishing between objective and subjective notions of probability.

scholarly journals The measure problem in no-collapse (many worlds) quantum mechanics

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (03) ◽  
pp. 1730008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen D. H. Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Probability Measure ◽  
Ab Initio ◽  
Subjective Probability ◽  
State Vector ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Born Rule ◽  
Many Worlds ◽  
Measure Problem

We explain the measure problem (cf. origin of the Born probability rule) in no-collapse quantum mechanics. Everett defined maverick branches of the state vector as those on which the usual Born probability rule fails to hold — these branches exhibit highly improbable behaviors, including possibly the breakdown of decoherence or even the absence of an emergent semi-classical reality. Derivations of the Born rule which originate in decision theory or subjective probability (i.e. the reasoning of individual observers) do not resolve this problem, because they are circular: they assume, a priori, that the observer occupies a non-maverick branch. An ab initio probability measure is sometimes assumed to explain why we do not occupy a maverick branch. This measure is constrained by, e.g. Gleason’s theorem or envariance to be the usual Hilbert measure. However, this ab initio measure ultimately governs the allocation of a self or a consciousness to a particular branch of the wave function, and hence invokes primitives which lie beyond the Everett wave function and beyond what we usually think of as physics. The significance of this leap has been largely overlooked, but requires serious scrutiny.

scholarly journals OBSERVER INVARIANCE OF THE COLLAPSE POSTULATE OF QUANTUM MECHANICS

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (01n03) ◽  
pp. 1345013 ◽  
Author(s):  
MILTON A. DA SILVA ◽  
ROBERTO M. SERRA ◽  
LUCAS C. CÉLERI
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Reference Frame ◽  
Relative Motion ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Measurement Process ◽  
Quantum Mechanical ◽  
Wave Function Collapse ◽  
Amount Of Information ◽  
Effective Efficiency

We analyze the wave function collapse as seen by two distinct observers (with identical detectors) in relative motion. Imposing that the measurement process demands information transfer from the system to the detectors, we note that although different observers will acquire different amount of information from their measurements due to correlations between spin and momentum variables, all of them will agree about the orthogonality of the outcomes, as defined by their own reference frame. So, in this sense, such a quantum mechanical postulate is observer invariant, however the effective efficiency of the measurement process differs for each observer.

scholarly journals THE POINT PROCESSES OF THE GRW THEORY OF WAVE FUNCTION COLLAPSE

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (02) ◽  
pp. 155-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
RODERICH TUMULKA
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Existence And Uniqueness ◽  
Joint Distribution ◽  
Physical Theory ◽  
Point Processes ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Wave Function Collapse ◽  
Relativistic Version

The Ghirardi–Rimini–Weber (GRW) theory is a physical theory that, when combined with a suitable ontology, provides an explanation of quantum mechanics. The so-called collapse of the wave function is problematic in conventional quantum theory but not in the GRW theory, in which it is governed by a stochastic law. A possible ontology is the flash ontology, according to which matter consists of random points in space-time, called flashes. The joint distribution of these points, a point process in space-time, is the topic of this work. The mathematical results concern mainly the existence and uniqueness of this distribution for several variants of the theory. Particular attention is paid to the relativistic version of the GRW theory that was developed in 2004.

scholarly journals Light Quantum Induces The Measurement Paradox

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 6039-6055
Author(s):  
Antonio Puccini
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Light Quantum ◽  
Mass Energy ◽  
Principle Of Equivalence ◽  
Quantum Object ◽  
Wave Function Collapse ◽  
Dynamic Mass ◽  
Microscopic World ◽  
Measured Particle

We learn from Quantum Mechanics that the observation of the microscopic world, the measurement (M) of a quantum object, i.e. a particle, inexorably modifies the physical system we wish to examine. What happens is that with the M it takes place a reduction of the state vectors, that is the ‘wave function collapse’ of the measured particle. Why does it happen? No one knows. The enigma of the so-called Measurement Paradox, in our opinion, could be solved if we considered that the light quantum(LQ), as suggested by the Principle of Equivalence Mass-Energy, carries out a dynamic-mass equivalent to its energy. The LQ is indispensable to carry out a M.  No M can be carried out without using the quantum of light. Calculus show that a photon of the optic band hits an electron with a momentum bigger than the mass of the electron itself. This may explain why the M induces the implosion of the quantum object observed, together with the collapse of its wave function, giving rise to the Measurement Paradox.

scholarly journals Wave Function Collapse in Atomic Physics

1993 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
DT Pegg
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Quantum Optics ◽  
Phase Difference ◽  
Atomic Physics ◽  
Single Photon ◽  
Single Atom ◽  
Considerable Time ◽  
Wave Function Collapse ◽  
Statistical Results

Wave function collapse has been a contentious concept in quantum mechanics for a considerable time. Here we show examples of how the concept can be used to advantage in predicting the statistical results of three experiments in atomic physics and quantum optics: photon antibunching, single-photon phase difference states and interrupted single-atom fluorescence. We examine the question of whether or not collapse is 'really' a physical process, and discuss the consequences of simply omitting it but including the observer as a part of the overall system governed by the laws of quantum mechanics. The resulting entangled world does not appear to be inconsistent with experience.

scholarly journals A Phenomenological Reading of the Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquin Trujillo
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Measurement Problem ◽  
Copenhagen Interpretation ◽  
Interpretation Of Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Many Worlds ◽  
Standard Interpretation ◽  
Hermeneutic Phenomenological ◽  
Many Worlds Interpretation ◽  
The Many

The articles provides a phenomenological reading of the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics and its answer to the measurement problem, or the question of “why only one of a wave function’s probable values is observed when the system is measured.” Transcendental-phenomenological and hermeneutic-phenomenological approaches are employed. The project comprises four parts. Parts one and two review MWI and the standard (Copenhagen) interpretation of quantum mechanics. Part three reviews the phenomenologies. Part four deconstructs the hermeneutics of MWI. It agrees with the confidence the theory derives from its (1) unforgiving appropriation of the Schrödinger equation and (2) association of branching universes with the evolution of the wave function insofar as that understanding comes from the formalism itself. Part four also reveals the hermeneutical shortcomings of the standard interpretation.

The Theory of Elementary Waves (TEW) eliminates Wave Particle Duality

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1916-1922
Author(s):  
Jeffrey H Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Wave Function Collapse ◽  
Wave Particle Duality ◽  
Solid Foundation ◽  
Elementary Waves ◽  
Double Slit Experiment ◽  
Slit Experiment ◽  
Double Slit

Wave particle duality is a mistake. Another option was neither conceived nor debated, which is a better foundation for quantum mechanics. The Theory of Elementary Waves (TEW) is based on the idea that particles follow zero energy waves backwards. A particle cannot be identical with its wave if they travel in opposite directions. TEW is the only form of local realism that is consistent with the results of the experiment by Aspect, Dalibard and Roger (1982). Here we show that 1. although QM teaches that complementarity in a double slit experiment cannot be logically explained, TEW explains it logically, without wave function collapse, and 2. gives an unconventional explanation of the Davisson Germer experiment. 3. There is empirical evidence for countervailing waves and particles and 4. zero energy waves. 5. TEW clarifies our understanding of probability amplitudes and supports quantum math. 6. There is an untested experiment for which TEW and wave particle duality predict different outcomes. If TEW is valid, then wave particle duality is not necessary for quantum math, which is the most accurate and productive science ever. With a more solid foundation, new vistas of science open, such as the study of elementary waves.

Paul Dirac’s view of the Theory of Elementary Waves

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 4731-4734
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Music Videos ◽  
Thomas Kuhn ◽  
Paradigm Shifts ◽  
Wave Function Collapse ◽  
Star Wars ◽  
Successful Program ◽  
Richard Feynman ◽  
Elementary Waves

Is science open to a new idea? Thomas Kuhn says paradigm shifts sound like gibberish to scientificleaders, and are rejected for that reason. The Theory of Elementary Waves (TEW) is such an idea:quantum particles follow waves moving in the opposite direction. Time always goes forwards. Wefocus on Paul Dirac’s 1930 book The Principles of Quantum Mechanics, applied to TEW. We keepDirac notation and quantum math but replace the picture of how nature is organized. Waveinterference and probabilistic effects occur prior to particle emission. Wave function collapse occursat emission & there is no further interference. We have launched a successful program of teachingthis form of physics in the format of YouTube music videos of five minutes duration. Some of ourvideos have been watched 40,000 times: within YouTube search for “Jeffrey H Boyd” to watch theseamusing videos including one in which Yoda (from Star Wars) solves what Richard Feynman calledthe “Fundamental Mystery of Quantum Mechanics.”

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