Quantum discreteness is an illusion

DOI10.1007/S10701-009-9383-9zbMATH Open1214.81021arXiv0809.2904OpenAlexW3099784629MaRDI QIDQ535633FDOQ535633

Authors: H. Dieter Zeh 

Publication date: 13 May 2011

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

Abstract: I review arguments demonstrating how the concept of "particle" numbers arises in the form of equidistant energy eigenvalues of coupled harmonic oscillators representing free fields. Their quantum numbers (numbers of nodes of the wave functions) can be interpreted as occupation numbers for objects with a formal mass (defined by the field equation) and spatial wave number ("momentum") characterizing classical field modes. A superposition of different oscillator eigenstates, all consisting of n modes having one node, while all others have none, defines a nondegenerate "n-particle wave function". Other discrete properties and phenomena (such as particle positions and "events") can be understood by means of the fast but smooth process of decoherence: the irreversible dislocalization of superpositions. Any wave-particle dualism thus becomes obsolete. The observation of individual outcomes of this decoherence process in measurements requires either a subsequent collapse of the wave function or a "branching observer" in accordance with the Schr"odinger equation - both possibilities applying clearly after the decoherence process. Any probability interpretation of the wave function in terms of local elements of reality, such as particles or other classical concepts, would open a Pandora's box of paradoxes, as is illustrated by various misnomers that have become popular in quantum theory.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/0809.2904

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zbMATH Keywords

nonlocalitydecoherenceparticle conceptquantum events

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Quantum coherence, entanglement, quantum correlations (81P40) Open systems, reduced dynamics, master equations, decoherence (81S22)

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Cited In (3)

• Emergence of a classical universe from quantum gravity and cosmology
• There is no ``first quantization
• The Pauli objection

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