Quantum Trajectories for Measurement of Entangled States
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Quantum Theory Cannot Consistently Describe the Use of Itself
ARTICLE DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05739-8 OPEN Quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself Daniela Frauchiger1 & Renato Renner1 Quantum theory provides an extremely accurate description of fundamental processes in physics. It thus seems likely that the theory is applicable beyond the, mostly microscopic, domain in which it has been tested experimentally. Here, we propose a Gedankenexperiment 1234567890():,; to investigate the question whether quantum theory can, in principle, have universal validity. The idea is that, if the answer was yes, it must be possible to employ quantum theory to model complex systems that include agents who are themselves using quantum theory. Analysing the experiment under this presumption, we find that one agent, upon observing a particular measurement outcome, must conclude that another agent has predicted the opposite outcome with certainty. The agents’ conclusions, although all derived within quantum theory, are thus inconsistent. This indicates that quantum theory cannot be extrapolated to complex systems, at least not in a straightforward manner. 1 Institute for Theoretical Physics, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland. Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to R.R. (email: [email protected]) NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | (2018) 9:3711 | DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05739-8 | www.nature.com/naturecommunications 1 ARTICLE NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05739-8 “ 1”〉 “ 1”〉 irect experimental tests of quantum theory are mostly Here, | z ¼À2 D and | z ¼þ2 D denote states of D depending restricted to microscopic domains. Nevertheless, quantum on the measurement outcome z shown by the devices within the D “ψ ”〉 “ψ ”〉 theory is commonly regarded as being (almost) uni- lab. -
Observations of Wavefunction Collapse and the Retrospective Application of the Born Rule
Observations of wavefunction collapse and the retrospective application of the Born rule Sivapalan Chelvaniththilan Department of Physics, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka [email protected] Abstract In this paper I present a thought experiment that gives different results depending on whether or not the wavefunction collapses. Since the wavefunction does not obey the Schrodinger equation during the collapse, conservation laws are violated. This is the reason why the results are different – quantities that are conserved if the wavefunction does not collapse might change if it does. I also show that using the Born Rule to derive probabilities of states before a measurement given the state after it (rather than the other way round as it is usually used) leads to the conclusion that the memories that an observer has about making measurements of quantum systems have a significant probability of being false memories. 1. Introduction The Born Rule [1] is used to determine the probabilities of different outcomes of a measurement of a quantum system in both the Everett and Copenhagen interpretations of Quantum Mechanics. Suppose that an observer is in the state before making a measurement on a two-state particle. Let and be the two states of the particle in the basis in which the observer makes the measurement. Then if the particle is initially in the state the state of the combined system (observer + particle) can be written as In the Copenhagen interpretation [2], the state of the system after the measurement will be either with a 50% probability each, where and are the states of the observer in which he has obtained a measurement of 0 or 1 respectively. -
The Consistent Histories Approach to the Stern-Gerlach Experiment
The Consistent Histories Approach to the Stern-Gerlach Experiment Ian Wilson An undergraduate thesis advised by Dr. David Craig submitted to the Department of Physics, Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree BSc in Physics Submitted on May 8, 2020 Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. David Craig, for guiding me through an engaging line of research, as well as Dr. David McIntyre, Dr. Elizabeth Gire, Dr. Corinne Manogue and Dr. Janet Tate for developing the quantum curriculum from which this thesis is rooted. I would also like to thank all of those who gave me the time, space, and support I needed while writing this. This includes (but is certainly not limited to) my partner Brooke, my parents Joy and Kevin, my housemate Cheyanne, the staff of Interzone, and my friends Saskia, Rachel and Justin. Abstract Standard quantum mechanics makes foundational assumptions to describe the measurement process. Upon interaction with a “classical measurement apparatus”, a quantum system is subjected to postulated “state collapse” dynamics. We show that framing measurement around state collapse and ill-defined classical observers leads to interpretational issues, and artificially limits the scope of quantum theory. This motivates describing measurement as a unitary process instead. In the context of the Stern-Gerlach experiment, the measurement of an electron’s spin angular momentum is explained as the entanglement of its spin and position degrees of freedom. Furthermore, the electron-environment interaction is also detailed as part of the measurement process. The environment plays the role of a record keeper, establishing the “facts of the universe” to make the measurement’s occurrence objective. -
Theoretical Physics Group Decoherent Histories Approach: a Quantum Description of Closed Systems
Theoretical Physics Group Department of Physics Decoherent Histories Approach: A Quantum Description of Closed Systems Author: Supervisor: Pak To Cheung Prof. Jonathan J. Halliwell CID: 01830314 A thesis submitted for the degree of MSc Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces Contents 1 Introduction2 2 Mathematical Formalism9 2.1 General Idea...................................9 2.2 Operator Formulation............................. 10 2.3 Path Integral Formulation........................... 18 3 Interpretation 20 3.1 Decoherent Family............................... 20 3.1a. Logical Conclusions........................... 20 3.1b. Probabilities of Histories........................ 21 3.1c. Causality Paradox........................... 22 3.1d. Approximate Decoherence....................... 24 3.2 Incompatible Sets................................ 25 3.2a. Contradictory Conclusions....................... 25 3.2b. Logic................................... 28 3.2c. Single-Family Rule........................... 30 3.3 Quasiclassical Domains............................. 32 3.4 Many History Interpretation.......................... 34 3.5 Unknown Set Interpretation.......................... 36 4 Applications 36 4.1 EPR Paradox.................................. 36 4.2 Hydrodynamic Variables............................ 41 4.3 Arrival Time Problem............................. 43 4.4 Quantum Fields and Quantum Cosmology.................. 45 5 Summary 48 6 References 51 Appendices 56 A Boolean Algebra 56 B Derivation of Path Integral Method From Operator -
Derivation of the Born Rule from Many-Worlds Interpretation and Probability Theory K
Derivation of the Born rule from many-worlds interpretation and probability theory K. Sugiyama1 2014/04/16 The first draft 2012/09/26 Abstract We try to derive the Born rule from the many-worlds interpretation in this paper. Although many researchers have tried to derive the Born rule (probability interpretation) from Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI), it has not resulted in the success. For this reason, derivation of the Born rule had become an important issue of MWI. We try to derive the Born rule by introducing an elementary event of probability theory to the quantum theory as a new method. We interpret the wave function as a manifold like a torus, and interpret the absolute value of the wave function as the surface area of the manifold. We put points on the surface of the manifold at a fixed interval. We interpret each point as a state that we cannot divide any more, an elementary state. We draw an arrow from any point to any point. We interpret each arrow as an event that we cannot divide any more, an elementary event. Probability is proportional to the number of elementary events, and the number of elementary events is the square of the number of elementary state. The number of elementary states is proportional to the surface area of the manifold, and the surface area of the manifold is the absolute value of the wave function. Therefore, the probability is proportional to the absolute square of the wave function. CONTENTS 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 2 1.1 Subject .............................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 The importance of the subject ......................................................................................... -
Consistent Histories
Chapter 12 Local Weak Property Realism: Consistent Histories Earlier, we surmised that weak property realism can escape the strictures of Bell’s theorem and KS. In this chapter, we look at an interpretation of quantum mechanics that does just that, namely, the Consistent Histories Interpretation (CH). 12.1 Consistent Histories The basic idea behind CH is that quantum mechanics is a stochastic theory operating on quantum histories. A history a is a temporal sequence of properties held by a system. For example, if we just consider spin, for an electron a history could be as follows: at t0, Sz =1; at t1, Sx =1; at t2, Sy = -1, where spin components are measured in units of h /2. The crucial point is that in this interpretation the electron is taken to exist independently of us and to have such spin components at such times, while in the standard view 1, 1, and -1 are just experimental return values. In other words, while the standard interpretation tries to provide the probability that such returns would be obtained upon measurement, CH provides the probability Pr(a) that the system will have history a, that is, such and such properties at different times. Hence, CH adopts non-contextual property realism (albeit of the weak sort) and dethrones measurement from the pivotal position it occupies in the orthodox interpretation. To see how CH works, we need first to look at some of the formal features of probability. 12.2 Probability Probability is defined on a sample space S, the set of all the mutually exclusive outcomes of a state of affairs; each element e of S is a sample point to which one assigns a number Pr(e) satisfying the axioms of probability (of which more later). -
Quantum Trajectory Distribution for Weak Measurement of A
Quantum Trajectory Distribution for Weak Measurement of a Superconducting Qubit: Experiment meets Theory Parveen Kumar,1, ∗ Suman Kundu,2, † Madhavi Chand,2, ‡ R. Vijayaraghavan,2, § and Apoorva Patel1, ¶ 1Centre for High Energy Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India 2Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Tata Institue of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India (Dated: April 11, 2018) Quantum measurements are described as instantaneous projections in textbooks. They can be stretched out in time using weak measurements, whereby one can observe the evolution of a quantum state as it heads towards one of the eigenstates of the measured operator. This evolution can be understood as a continuous nonlinear stochastic process, generating an ensemble of quantum trajectories, consisting of noisy fluctuations on top of geodesics that attract the quantum state towards the measured operator eigenstates. The rate of evolution is specific to each system-apparatus pair, and the Born rule constraint requires the magnitudes of the noise and the attraction to be precisely related. We experimentally observe the entire quantum trajectory distribution for weak measurements of a superconducting qubit in circuit QED architecture, quantify it, and demonstrate that it agrees very well with the predictions of a single-parameter white-noise stochastic process. This characterisation of quantum trajectories is a powerful clue to unraveling the dynamics of quantum measurement, beyond the conventional axiomatic quantum -
Quantum Theory: Exact Or Approximate?
Quantum Theory: Exact or Approximate? Stephen L. Adler§ Institute for Advanced Study, Einstein Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA Angelo Bassi† Department of Theoretical Physics, University of Trieste, Strada Costiera 11, 34014 Trieste, Italy and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste Section, Via Valerio 2, 34127 Trieste, Italy Quantum mechanics has enjoyed a multitude of successes since its formulation in the early twentieth century. It has explained the structure and interactions of atoms, nuclei, and subnuclear particles, and has given rise to revolutionary new technologies. At the same time, it has generated puzzles that persist to this day. These puzzles are largely connected with the role that measurements play in quantum mechanics [1]. According to the standard quantum postulates, given the Hamiltonian, the wave function of quantum system evolves by Schr¨odinger’s equation in a predictable, de- terministic way. However, when a physical quantity, say z-axis spin, is “measured”, the outcome is not predictable in advance. If the wave function contains a superposition of components, such as spin up and spin down, which each have a definite spin value, weighted by coe±cients cup and cdown, then a probabilistic distribution of outcomes is found in re- peated experimental runs. Each repetition gives a definite outcome, either spin up or spin down, with the outcome probabilities given by the absolute value squared of the correspond- ing coe±cient in the initial wave function. This recipe is the famous Born rule. The puzzles posed by quantum theory are how to reconcile this probabilistic distribution of outcomes with the deterministic form of Schr¨odinger’s equation, and to understand precisely what constitutes a “measurement”. -
What Is Quantum Mechanics? a Minimal Formulation Pierre Hohenberg, NYU (In Collaboration with R
What is Quantum Mechanics? A Minimal Formulation Pierre Hohenberg, NYU (in collaboration with R. Friedberg, Columbia U) • Introduction: - Why, after ninety years, is the interpretation of quantum mechanics still a matter of controversy? • Formulating classical mechanics: microscopic theory (MICM) - Phase space: states and properties • Microscopic formulation of quantum mechanics (MIQM): - Hilbert space: states and properties - quantum incompatibility: noncommutativity of operators • The simplest examples: a single spin-½; two spins-½ ● The measurement problem • Macroscopic quantum mechanics (MAQM): - Testing the theory. Not new principles, but consistency checks ● Other treatments: not wrong, but laden with excess baggage • The ten commandments of quantum mechanics Foundations of Quantum Mechanics • I. What is quantum mechanics (QM)? How should one formulate the theory? • II. Testing the theory. Is QM the whole truth with respect to experimental consequences? • III. How should one interpret QM? - Justify the assumptions of the formulation in I - Consider possible assumptions and formulations of QM other than I - Implications of QM for philosophy, cognitive science, information theory,… • IV. What are the physical implications of the formulation in I? • In this talk I shall only be interested in I, which deals with foundations • II and IV are what physicists do. They are not foundations • III is interesting but not central to physics • Why is there no field of Foundations of Classical Mechanics? - We wish to model the formulation of QM on that of CM Formulating nonrelativistic classical mechanics (CM) • Consider a system S of N particles, each of which has three coordinates (xi ,yi ,zi) and three momenta (pxi ,pyi ,pzi) . • Classical mechanics represents this closed system by objects in a Euclidean phase space of 6N dimensions. -
High Energy Physics Quantum Information Science Awards Abstracts
High Energy Physics Quantum Information Science Awards Abstracts Towards Directional Detection of WIMP Dark Matter using Spectroscopy of Quantum Defects in Diamond Ronald Walsworth, David Phillips, and Alexander Sushkov Challenges and Opportunities in Noise‐Aware Implementations of Quantum Field Theories on Near‐Term Quantum Computing Hardware Raphael Pooser, Patrick Dreher, and Lex Kemper Quantum Sensors for Wide Band Axion Dark Matter Detection Peter S Barry, Andrew Sonnenschein, Clarence Chang, Jiansong Gao, Steve Kuhlmann, Noah Kurinsky, and Joel Ullom The Dark Matter Radio‐: A Quantum‐Enhanced Dark Matter Search Kent Irwin and Peter Graham Quantum Sensors for Light-field Dark Matter Searches Kent Irwin, Peter Graham, Alexander Sushkov, Dmitry Budke, and Derek Kimball The Geometry and Flow of Quantum Information: From Quantum Gravity to Quantum Technology Raphael Bousso1, Ehud Altman1, Ning Bao1, Patrick Hayden, Christopher Monroe, Yasunori Nomura1, Xiao‐Liang Qi, Monika Schleier‐Smith, Brian Swingle3, Norman Yao1, and Michael Zaletel Algebraic Approach Towards Quantum Information in Quantum Field Theory and Holography Daniel Harlow, Aram Harrow and Hong Liu Interplay of Quantum Information, Thermodynamics, and Gravity in the Early Universe Nishant Agarwal, Adolfo del Campo, Archana Kamal, and Sarah Shandera Quantum Computing for Neutrino‐nucleus Dynamics Joseph Carlson, Rajan Gupta, Andy C.N. Li, Gabriel Perdue, and Alessandro Roggero Quantum‐Enhanced Metrology with Trapped Ions for Fundamental Physics Salman Habib, Kaifeng Cui1, -
DECOHERENCE AS a FUNDAMENTAL PHENOMENON in QUANTUM DYNAMICS Contents 1 Introduction 152 2 Decoherence by Entanglement with an En
DECOHERENCE AS A FUNDAMENTAL PHENOMENON IN QUANTUM DYNAMICS MICHAEL B. MENSKY P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute, 117924 Moscow, Russia The phenomenon of decoherence of a quantum system caused by the entangle- ment of the system with its environment is discussed from di®erent points of view, particularly in the framework of quantum theory of measurements. The selective presentation of decoherence (taking into account the state of the environment) by restricted path integrals or by e®ective SchrÄodinger equation is shown to follow from the ¯rst principles or from models. Fundamental character of this phenomenon is demonstrated, particularly the role played in it by information is underlined. It is argued that quantum mechanics becomes logically closed and contains no para- doxes if it is formulated as a theory of open systems with decoherence taken into account. If one insist on considering a completely closed system (the whole Uni- verse), the observer's consciousness has to be included in the theory explicitly. Such a theory is not motivated by physics, but may be interesting as a metaphys- ical theory clarifying the concept of consciousness. Contents 1 Introduction 152 2 Decoherence by entanglement with an environment 153 3 Restricted path integrals 155 4 Monitoring of an observable 158 5 Quantum monitoring and quantum Central Limiting Theorem161 6 Fundamental character of decoherence 163 7 The role of consciousness in quantum mechanics 166 8 Conclusion 170 151 152 Michael B. Mensky 1 Introduction It is honor for me to contribute to the volume in memory of my friend Michael Marinov, particularly because this gives a good opportunity to recall one of his early innovatory works which was not properly understood at the moment of its publication. -
How Quantum Is Quantum Counterfactual Communication? Arxiv
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Explore Bristol Research Hance, J. R. , Ladyman, J., & Rarity, J. (Accepted/In press). How Quantum is Quantum Counterfactual Communication? arXiv. Peer reviewed version Link to publication record in Explore Bristol Research PDF-document University of Bristol - Explore Bristol Research General rights This document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/pure/about/ebr-terms How Quantum is Quantum Counterfactual Communication? Jonte R. Hance,1, ∗ James Ladyman,2 and John Rarity1 1Quantum Engineering Technology Laboratories, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1US, UK 2Department of Philosophy, University of Bristol, Cotham House, Bristol, BS6 6JL Quantum Counterfactual Communication is the recently-proposed idea of using quantum mechan- ics to send messages between two parties, without any particles travelling between them. While this has excited massive interest, both for potential `un-hackable' communication, and insight into the foundations of quantum mechanics, it has been asked whether this phenomena is truly quantum, or could be performed classically. We examine counterfactuality, both classical and quantum, and the protocols proposed so far, and conclude it must be quantum, at least insofar as it requires particle quantisation. I. INTRODUCTION municated to counterfactually (e.g. knowing a car's en- gine works by the `check engine' light being off; knowing Quantum Counterfactual Communication is the no-one is calling you by your phone not ringing; or being combination of counterfactual circumstances (where sure your house is not on fire by hearing no alarm).