We present the foundations of a new emerging interpretation of quantum theory bearing wide-range implications. Physical basis of the interpretation is non-questionable yet relatively new--it relies on the different structures (decompositions into parts, subsystems) of the quantum Universe. We compare the mutually irreducible structures of the Universe and recognize them as the different facets of the one and the same quantum Universe. Physical picture is interesting and non-reducible to the existing interpretations. As a particularly interesting topic in this context appears the 'free will' topic of current interest in the interpretation of quantum theory. To this end, we arrive at the following interesting observation. The freely chosen actions (e.g. quantum measurements) performed by a (conscious) agent that are still locally observable in the alternate Worlds could seem physically unexplainable ('non-physical', 'ghostly').
We present the foundations of a new emerging interpretation of quantum theory bearing wide-range implications. Physical basis of the interpretation is non-questionable yet relatively new--it relies on the different structures (decompositions into parts, subsystems) of the quantum Universe. We compare the mutually irreducible structures of the Universe and recognize them as the different facets of the one and the same quantum Universe. Physical picture is interesting and non-reducible to the existing interpretations. As a particularly interesting topic in this context appears the 'free will' topic of current interest in the interpretation of quantum theory. To this end, we arrive at the following interesting observation. The freely chosen actions (e.g. quantum measurements) performed by a (conscious) agent that are still locally observable in the alternate Worlds could seem physically unexplainable ('non-physical', 'ghostly').
In classical physics there is, in accordance with common sense, an objective world ‘out there’. That world evolves in a clear and deterministic way, being governed by precisely formulated mathematical equations. This is as true for the theories of Maxwell and Einstein as it is for the original Newtonian scheme. Physical reality is taken to exist independently of ourselves; and exactly how the classical world ‘is’ is not affected by how we might choose to look at it. Moreover, our bodies and our brains are themselves to be part of that world. They, also, are viewed as evolving according to the same precise and deterministic classical equations. All our actions are to be fixed by these equations - no matter how we might feel that our conscious wills may be influencing how we behave. Such a picture appears to lie at the background of most serious 1 philosophical arguments concerned with the nature of reality, of our conscious perceptions, and of our apparent free will. Some people might have an uncomfortable feeling that there should also be a role for quantum theory - that fundamental but disturbing scheme of things which, in the first quarter of this century, arose out of observations of subtle discrepancies between the actual behaviour of the world and the descriptions of classical physics. To many, the term ‘quantum theory’ evokes merely some vague concept of an ‘uncertainty principle’, which, at the level of particles, atoms or molecules, forbids precision in our descriptions and yields merely probabilistic behaviour. Actually, quantum descriptions are very precise, as we shall see, although radically different from the familiar classical ones. Moreover, we shall find, despite a common view to the contrary, that probabilities do not arise at the minute quantum level of particles, atoms, or molecules - those evolve deterministically - but, seemingly, via some mysterious larger-scale action connected with the emergence of a classical world that we can consciously perceive. We must try to understand this, and how quantum theory forces us to change our view of physical reality.
Motivated by some recent news, a journalist asks a group of physicists: "What's the meaning of the violation of Bell's inequality?" One physicist answers: "It means that non-locality is an established fact". Another says: "There is no non-locality; the message is that measurement outcomes are irreducibly random". A third one says: "It cannot be answered simply on purely physical grounds, the answer requires an act of metaphysical judgement". Puzzled by the answers, the journalist keeps asking questions about quantum theory: "What is teleported in quantum teleportation?" "How does a quantum computer really work?" Shockingly, for each of these questions, the journalist obtains a variety of answers which, in many cases, are mutually exclusive. At the end of the day, the journalist asks: "How do you plan to make progress if, after 90 years of quantum theory, you still don't know what it means? How can you possibly identify the physical principles of quantum theory or expand quantum theory into gravity if you don't agree on what quantum theory is about?" Here we argue that it is becoming urgent to solve this too long lasting problem. For that, we point out that the interpretations of quantum theory are, essentially, of two types and that these two types are so radically different that there must be experiments that, when analyzed outside the framework of quantum theory, lead to different empirically testable predictions. Arguably, even if these experiments do not end the discussion, they will add new elements to the list of strange properties that some interpretations must have, therefore they will indirectly support those interpretations that do not need to have all these strange properties.
Quantum theory underpins much of modern physics and its implications draw the attention of industry, academia and public funding agencies. However there are many unsettled conceptual and philosophical problems in the interpretation of quantum mechanics which are a matter of extensive debate. These hotly debated topics include the meaning of the wave function, the nature of the quantum objects, the role of the observer, the non-locality of the quantum world, and the emergence of classicality from the quantum domain. Containing chapters written by eminent researchers from the fields of physics and philosophy, this book provides interdisciplinary, comprehensive and up-to-date perspectives of the problems related to the interpretation of quantum theory. It is ideal for academic researchers in physics and philosophy working on the ontology of quantum mechanics.
The modern version of the wave-function collapse in quantum mechanics is based on decoherence and leads to the multiverse interpretation of quantum mechanics. The decoherence causes the universe to develop an emergent branching structure. One can interpret the branching structure either as a tree structure or as parallel different histories. Time is not continuous since there are no measurable continuous in quantum physics. Notion of continuous range of possible values of time is just an idealization. The same goes with the direction of time that is a prior assumption based on the branching structure of the multiverse. The multiverse does not exist in external space nor time since there is nothing more beside it. The observer's mind should be not in a superposition with himself. Because of this, in the Many-minds interpretations it is argued that the distinction between worlds should be made at the level of the individual observer. The human bodies are in a superposition, but the minds have definite states that are never in superposition. All possible lives, personalities that do not violate the laws of physics are facts since they represent a valid history in the multiverse. We are one of this possible personalities. Our choices are defined by our personality explained to us by our mind, our consciousness is the unchangeable part of us. It is nonphysical and it senses the world. It does not interact with the brain in the other way beside it.
After giving a panoramic view of the " text-book " interpretation of the new quantum mechanics, as a sequel to the old quantum theory, the conceptual basis of quantum theory since the Copenhagen Interpretation is reviewed in the context of various proposals since Einstein and Niels Bohr, designed to throw light on possible new facets bearing on its foundations, the key issues to its inherent "incompleteness" being A) measurement, and B) quantum non-locality. A related item on measurement, namely Quantum Zeno (as well as anti-Zeno) effect is also reviewed briefly. The inputs for the new facets are from some key Indian experts : S.M. Roy, V. Singh ; D. Home; B. Misra; C.S. Unnikrishnan
We offer a systematic account of decomposition of quantum systems into parts. Different decompositions (structures) are mutually linked via the proper linear canonical transformations. Different kinds of structures, as well as their relations, are considered. Emphasis is placed on mutually global and irreducible structures. Is there a privileged structure of the closed system? Is there a preferred (bipartite) structure of an open system? Are there any practical advantages of certain alternative structures of the system? Is there a simple dynamical relation for a pair of structures? The [necessarily partial] answers are rather intriguing. Relativity of quantum correlations (that include entanglement as well as the "one-way" and "two-way" discord) is carefully presented. Emphasis is placed on the "parallel occurrence of decoherence" in the quantum Brownian motion. The environment-selected preferred structure of an open composite system is presented for a pair of harmonic oscillators (or the field modes). A limitation of the Nakajima-Zwanzig projection method appears as a consequence of quantum correlations relativity. Hence, describing dynamics of an alternate open-system is a delicate task. Certain interpretational issues, which include "quantum reference frames" issue, are discussed. Some recent experiments are also discussed. To this end, the option that "there are no particles" on the most fundamental physical level naturally follows. Certain open questions and prospects for further research are highlighted.