On the relation between quantum mechanical probabilities and event frequencies

DOI10.1016/J.AOP.2004.05.002MaRDI QIDQ1886807zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Charis Anastopoulos

Publication date 19 November 2004

Published in Annals of Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0403207

zbMATH Keywords

quantum probability

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations (81P15)

Abstract: The probability `measure' for measurements at two consecutive moments of time is non-additive. These probabilities, on the other hand, may be determined by the limit of relative frequency of measured events, which are by nature additive. We demonstrate that there are only two ways to resolve this problem. The first solution places emphasis on the precise use of the concept of conditional probability for successive measurements. The physically correct conditional probabilities define additive probabilities for two-time measurements. These probabilities depend explicitly on the resolution of the physical device and do not, therefore, correspond to a function of the associated projection operators. It follows that quantum theory distinguishes between physical events and propositions about events, the latter are not represented by projection operators and that the outcomes of two-time experiments cannot be described by quantum logic. The alternative explanation is rather radical: it is conceivable that the relative frequencies for two-time measurements do not converge, unless a particular consistency condition is satisfied. If this is true, a strong revision of the quantum mechanical formalism may prove necessary. We stress that it is possible to perform experiments that will distinguish the two alternatives.

Review text

The paper is devoted to the analysis of basic properties of quantum mechanical probability for two-time measurements in two consecutive moments of time. Namely, this probability, in general, is a non-additive measure. On the other hand, it can be determined by the limit of relative frequencies of measured events, which are by nature additive. The author demonstrates that there are only two ways to resolve the mentioned problem. The argument of the investigation is the empirical determination of probabilities as limits of relative frequencies. The first solution places emphasis on the precise use of the concept of conditional probability for successive measurements. These probabilities depend explicitly on the resolution of the physical device and do not, therefore, correspond to a function of the associated projection operators. The alternative explanation is rather radical. It is conceivable that the relative frequencies for two-time measurements do not converge, unless a particular consistency condition is satisfied.

Recommendations

• Classical versus quantum probability in sequential measurements
• On relations between probabilities under quantum and classical measurements
• How probability arises in quantum mechanics
• A probability measure for partial events
• Do we need quantum probability?

Cites work

• Consistent histories and the interpretation of quantum mechanics
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3886817 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 4211134 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3603853 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1774908 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3251317 (Why is no real title available?)
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3266514 (Why is no real title available?)
• Quantum logic and the histories approach to quantum theory
• Quantum processes on phase space.
• Speakable and unspeakable in quantum mechanics
• Topos perspective on the Kochen-Specker theorem. I: Quantum states as generalized valuations

Cited in

(10)

• Properties of the frequency operator do not imply the quantum probability postulate
• On relations between probabilities under quantum and classical measurements
• A Bayesian account of quantum histories
• Bayesian probabilities and the histories algebra
• A discussion on the origin of quantum probabilities
• The Logic of Quantum Measurements in terms of Conditional Events
• Time-of-arrival probabilities and quantum measurements
• On the existence of quantum representations for two dichotomic measurements
• Classical versus quantum probability in sequential measurements
• A probability measure for partial events

This page was built for publication: On the relation between quantum mechanical probabilities and event frequencies

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q1886807)