Counterfactual reasoning in time-symmetric quantum mechanics

DOI10.1007/S10702-006-0797-8MaRDI QIDQ2432463zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Yanyan Li

Publication date 25 October 2006

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

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0410076

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

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

Abstract: A qualification is suggested for the counterfactual reasoning involved in some aspects of time-symmetric quantum theory (which involves ensembles selected by both the initial and final states). The qualification is that the counterfactual reasoning should only apply to times when the quantum system has been subjected to physical interactions which place it in a ``measurement-ready condition" for the unperformed experiment on which the counterfactual reasoning is based. The defining characteristic of a "measurement-ready condition" is that a quantum system could be found to have the counterfactually ascribed property without direct physical interaction with the eigenstate corresponding to that property.

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Cited in

(11)

• Quantum mechanics as a consistency condition on initial and final boundary conditions
• Partial measurements and the realization of quantum-mechanical counterfactuals
• Time reversal symmetry of generalized quantum measurements with past and future boundary conditions
• ``Counterfactual quantum protocols
• Counterfactual reasoning, realism and quantum mechanics: much ado about nothing?
• Counterfactual statements and weak measurements: An experimental proposal
• Time-symmetrised quantum theory, counterfactuals and `advanced action'
• How to evaluate counterfactuals in the quantum world
• Relational analysis of the Frauchiger-Renner paradox and interaction-free detection of records from the past
• Retrocausal quantum mechanics: Maudlin's challenge revisited
• On predictions in retro-causal interpretations of quantum mechanics

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