A general argument against the universal validity of the superposition principle

DOI10.1016/S0375-9601(00)00612-5zbMATH Open1115.81307arXivquant-ph/0009020WikidataQ62590945 ScholiaQ62590945MaRDI QIDQ998078FDOQ998078

Authors: Angelo Bassi, Giancarlo Ghirardi 

Publication date: 10 August 2007

Published in: Physics Letters. A (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We reconsider a well known problem of quantum theory, i.e. the so called measurement (or macro-objectification) problem, and we rederive the fact that it gives rise to serious problems of interpretation. The novelty of our approach derives from the fact that the relevant conclusion is obtained in a completely general way, in particular, without resorting to any of the assumptions of ideality which are usually done for the measurement process. The generality and unescapability of our assumptions (we take into account possible malfunctionings of the apparatus, its unavoidable entanglement with the environmment, its high but not absolute reliability, its fundamentally uncontrollable features) allow to draw the conclusion that the very possibility of performing measurements on a microsystem combined with the assumed general validity of the linear nature of quantum evolution leads to a fundamental contradiction.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0009020

Recommendations

• An argument against the realistic interpretation of the wave function
• Against the empirical viability of the Deutsch-Wallace-Everett approach to quantum mechanics
• Quantum superpositions cannot be epistemic
• Against a proposed alternative explanation of the Aharonov-Bohm effect
• Limitations on the superposition principle: superselection rules in non-relativistic quantum mechanics
• Everettian quantum mechanics and physical probability: against the principle of ``State Supervenience
• Against the `no-go' philosophy of quantum mechanics
• A LOGICAL ACCOUNT OF QUANTUM SUPERPOSITIONS
• A test of the equivalence principle(s) for quantum superpositions
• The Pauli objection

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

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

Cites Work

• Unified dynamics for microscopic and macroscopic systems
• A Suggested Interpretation of the Quantum Theory in Terms of "Hidden" Variables. I
• Consistent histories and the interpretation of quantum mechanics
• Logical reformulation of quantum mechanics. I: Foundations
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Describing the macroscopic world: closing the circle within the dynamical reduction program

Cited In (18)

• Epistemic \textit{primacy vs.} ontological \textit{elusiveness} of spatial \textit{extension}: is there an evolutionary role for the \textit{quantum}?
• The quantum measurement problem enhanced
• A note on measurement
• Changes of separation status during registration and scattering
• Decoherence and wave function collapse
• Time-of-arrival probabilities and quantum measurements
• Classical versus quantum probability in sequential measurements
• Master-equations for the study of decoherence
• Consciousness and the Wigner's friend problem
• No-faster-than-light-signaling implies linear evolution. A re-derivation
• A consequence of a proof of the one-way function existence for the problem of macroscopic superpositions
• Reconsidering Mermin's ``In praise of measurement
• Quantum models of classical world
• Insolubility from no-signalling
• Poisson stochastic master equation unravelings and the measurement problem: a quantum stochastic calculus perspective
• Insolubility theorems and EPR argument
• Dynamical reduction models
• Integrated information-induced quantum collapse

This page was built for publication: A general argument against the universal validity of the superposition principle

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q998078)