Unsharp quantum reality

DOI10.1007/S10701-010-9497-0zbMATH Open1215.81006arXiv1005.0604OpenAlexW1974445140WikidataQ59473371 ScholiaQ59473371MaRDI QIDQ535668FDOQ535668

Authors: P. Busch, Gregg Jaeger 

Publication date: 13 May 2011

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

Abstract: The positive operator (valued) measures (POMs) allow one to generalize the notion of observable beyond the traditional one based on projection valued measures (PVMs). Here, we argue that this generalized conception of observable enables a consistent notion of unsharp reality and with it an adequate concept of joint properties. A sharp or unsharp property manifests itself as an element of sharp or unsharp reality by its tendency to become actual or to actualize a specific measurement outcome. This actualization tendency - or potentiality - of a property is quantified by the associated quantum probability. The resulting single-case interpretation of probability as a degree of reality will be explained in detail and its role in addressing the tensions between quantum and classical accounts of the physical world will be elucidated. It will be shown that potentiality can be viewed as a causal agency that evolves in a well-defined way.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1005.0604

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zbMATH Keywords

probabilityquantum indeterminacyquantum measurementpotentialitydegree of realityelement of realityfuzzy valueunsharp observableunsharp propertyunsharp reality

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Fuzzy sets and logic (in connection with information, communication, or circuits theory) (94D05) Fuzzy logic; logic of vagueness (03B52) General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations (81P15) Fuzzy probability (60A86)

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Cited In (12)

• Quantum logic and quantum reconstruction
• Grounding the randomness of quantum measurement
• Quantum violation of macrorealism under multi-outcome two-parameter generalised measurements
• Two quantum logics of indeterminacy
• Quantum indeterminacy and the eigenstate-eigenvalue link
• Quantum reality, perspectivalism and covariance
• The uncertainty principle -- a simplified review of the four versions
• On the identification of the parts of compound quantum objects
• Quantum unsharpness, potentiality, and reality
• Quantum potentiality revisited
• Sharp and unsharp descriptions of physical magnitudes in finite dimensional quantum mechanics
• Testing local-realism and macro-realism under generalized dichotomic measurements

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