Weak values and consistent histories in quantum theory

DOI10.1016/J.SHPSB.2003.02.001zbMATH Open1222.81071arXivquant-ph/0207182OpenAlexW1972077735MaRDI QIDQ720582FDOQ720582

Authors: Ruth E. Kastner 

Publication date: 17 October 2011

Published in: Studies in History and Philosophy of Science. Part B. Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: A relation is obtained between weak values of quantum observables and the consistency criterion for histories of quantum events. It is shown that ``strange weak values for projection operators (such as values less than zero) always correspond to inconsistent families of histories. It is argued that using the ABL rule to obtain probabilities for counterfactual measurements corresponding to those strange weak values gives inconsistent results. This problem is shown to be remedied by using the conditional weight, or pseudo-probability, obtained from the multiple-time application of Luders' Rule. It is argued that an assumption of reverse causality (a form of time symmetry) implies that weak values obtain, in a restricted sense, at the time of the weak measurement as well as at the time of post-selection. Finally, it is argued that weak values are more appropriately characterised as multiple-time amplitudes than expectation values, and as such can have little to say about counterfactual questions.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0207182

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Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05)

Cites Work

• Consistent Quantum Theory
• Revisiting Hardy's paradox: Counterfactual statements, real measurements, entanglement and weak values
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Quantum mechanics, local realistic theories, and Lorentz-invariant realistic theories
• Time-symmetrised quantum theory, counterfactuals and `advanced action'
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Cited In (13)

• What is a quantum-mechanical ``weak value the value of?
• Counterfactual reasoning in time-symmetric quantum mechanics
• Weak values and the Aharonov–Vaidman gauge
• Time-dependent weak values and their intrinsic phases of evolution
• Weak values in collision theory
• Restrictions on the existence of weak values in quantum mechanics: weak quantum evolution concept
• Strange weak values
• Quantum weak values and logic: an uneasy couple
• Non-representative quantum mechanical weak values
• Weak values and modular variables from a quantum phase-space perspective
• Quantum mechanics as a consistency condition on initial and final boundary conditions
• The transactional interpretation, counterfactuals, and weak values in quantum theory
• Weak values as context-dependent values of observables and Born’s rule

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