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arXiv:1102.2387 · International Journal of Quantum Information

POPPER'S THOUGHT EXPERIMENT REINVESTIGATED

Chris Richardson, Jonathan P. Dowling

Published Apr 1, 2012• 6 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Popper's original thought experiment probed some fundamental and subtle rules of quantum mechanics. He claimed that quantum mechanics was incomplete and devised an experiment to prove it. Two experiments have directly and indirectly tested Popper's hypothesis, and they provide some evidence that Popper's prediction may have been correct. The equations governing these two experiments and Popper's thought experiment will be derived from basic quantum principles. The experimental constants will be inputted and it will show that the two experiments reinforce each other and agree completely with quantum theory.

DOI
10.1142/s0219749912500335

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Popper's original thought experiment probed some fundamental and subtle rules of quantum mechanics. He claimed that quantum mechanics was incomplete and devised an experiment to prove it. Two experiments have directly and indirectly tested Popper's hypothesis, and they provide some evidence that Popper's prediction may have been correct. The equations governing these two experiments and Popper's thought experiment will be derived from basic quantum principles. The experimental constants will be inputted and it will show that the two experiments reinforce each other and agree completely with quantum theory.
Popper invented a thought experiment that is alleged to test the Copenhagen interpretation of Quantum mechanics, though not the theory itself. In particular it is alleged to test the application of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle to indirect measurements. The experiment is similar to the EPR thought experiment, but it suffers from some technical flaws. These flaws are examined to see if they affect the validity of the argument; so long as they can be alleviated by technical means, the argument retains its force. The experiment has been recently instantiated, with some resolutions of these technical flaws. The results, on face value seem to vindicate Popper and to indicate a violation of the uncertainty principle. Nevertheless, Kim and Shih, who carried out the experiment, give their own interpretation that suggests that the principle should be considered intact but that the correct way to understand the results is to adopt a new metaphysics. Others suggest different reasons why the results do not amount to a violation of the uncertainty principle. Despite a variety of responses, which are carefully examined, the general point that an interpretation cannot alter the empirical basis of a theory is shown to be true. The importance of Rigolid's work in this connection is emphasized.
A thought experiment, proposed by Karl Popper, which has been experimentally realized recently, is critically examined. A basic flaw in Popper's argument which has also been prevailing in subsequent debates, is pointed out. It is shown that Popper's experiment can be understood easily within the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. An alternate experiment, based on discrete variables, is proposed, which constitutes Popper's test in a clearer way. It refutes the argument of absence of nonlocality in quantum mechanics.
A thought experiment, proposed by Karl Popper, which has been experimentally realized recently, is critically examined. A basic flaw in Popper's argument which has also been prevailing in subsequent debates, is pointed out. It is shown that Popper's experiment can be understood easily within the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. An alternate experiment, based on discrete variables, is proposed, which constitutes Popper's test in a clearer way. It refutes the argument of absence of nonlocality in quantum mechanics.
Uncertainty, being perhaps the most basic principle of quantum mechanics, distinguishes the world of quantum phenomena from the realm of classical physics. Quantum entanglement, being perhaps the most surprising consequence of quantum mechanics, on the other hand apparently suggests paradoxes relating to or violations of the quantum mechanical uncertainty principle in some experimental situations. Popper's thought experiment is an example. We wish to report a recent realization of Popper's experiment. The experimental data show that there appears to be a violation of the uncertainty principle. This is, however as we shall argue in this paper, only an illusion provided that we take the teachings of quantum mechanics seriously.