Unitary-only quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself: on the Frauchiger-Renner paradox

DOI10.1007/S10701-020-00336-6zbMATH Open1440.81014arXiv2002.01456OpenAlexW3100148630MaRDI QIDQ2173148FDOQ2173148

Authors: Ruth E. Kastner 

Publication date: 22 April 2020

Published in: Foundations of Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: The Frauchiger-Renner Paradox is an extension of paradoxes based on the 'Problem of Measurement,' such as Schrodinger's Cat and Wigner's Friend. All of these paradoxes stem from assuming that quantum theory has only unitary (linear) physical dynamics, and the attendant ambiguity about what counts as a 'measurement'--i.e., the inability to account for the observation of determinate measurement outcomes from within the theory itself. This paper discusses a basic inconsistency arising in the FR scenario at a much earlier point than the derived contradiction: namely, the inconsistency inherent in treating an improper mixture (reduced density operator) as a proper, epistemic mixture. This is an illegitimate procedure that is nevertheless endemic if quantum theory is assumed to be always unitary. In contrast, under a non-unitary account of quantum state reduction yielding determinate outcomes, the use of a proper mixture for measurement results becomes legitimate, and this entire class of paradoxes cannot be mounted. The conclusion is that the real lesson of the FR paradox is that it is the unitary-only assumption that needs to be critically reassessed.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2002.01456

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zbMATH Keywords

quantum measurementquantum theoryWigner's friendFrauchiger-Renner paradoxSchrodinger's cat

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations (81P15)

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Cited In (11)

• No relation for Wigner's friend
• Relational analysis of the Frauchiger-Renner paradox and interaction-free detection of records from the past
• Understanding the Frauchiger-Renner argument
• Unitary interactions do not yield outcomes: attempting to model ``Wigner's friend
• Single-world theory of the extended Wigner's friend experiment
• A logico-epistemic investigation of Frauchiger and Renner's paradox
• Quantum information versus epistemic logic: an analysis of the Frauchiger-Renner theorem
• Wigner's convoluted friends
• Copenhagen interpretation can survive the upgraded Schrödinger's cat gedankenexperiment
• On the foundation of space and time by quantum-events
• Watching the clocks: interpreting the Page-Wootters formalism and the internal quantum reference frame programme

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