Based on our model of quantum systems as emerging from the coupled dynamics between oscillating "bouncers" and the space-filling zero-point field, a sub-quantum account of nonlocal correlations is given. This is explicitly done for the example of the "double two-slit" variant of two-particle interferometry. However, it is also shown that the entanglement in two-particle interferometry is only a natural consequence of the fact that already a "single" two-slit experiment can be described on a sub-quantum level with the aid of "entangling currents" of a generally nonlocal nature.
Based on our model of quantum systems as emerging from the coupled dynamics between oscillating "bouncers" and the space-filling zero-point field, a sub-quantum account of nonlocal correlations is given. This is explicitly done for the example of the "double two-slit" variant of two-particle interferometry. However, it is also shown that the entanglement in two-particle interferometry is only a natural consequence of the fact that already a "single" two-slit experiment can be described on a sub-quantum level with the aid of "entangling currents" of a generally nonlocal nature.
This work aims at exploring whether the nonlocal correlations due to quantum entanglement could exist without nonlocal causation. This is done with the aid of a toy model which is based on a simple but decidedly unorthodox physical hypothesis: the nonlocally correlated outcomes of the wavefunction collapse of two entangled particles is driven by an exchange of information between them. Of course exchange of information between spacelike separated entities is forbidden in 3+1 space-time, thus we can wonder whether or not a way out could be found by invoking the existence of some hidden field propagating in an extra time dimension to make the mentioned exchange of information occurring at finite velocity through this extra dimension. Only the description of the wavefunction collapse would be affected by the existence of this extra-time dimension. The model proposed here is defined by borrowing Bohm-Bub’s proposal to describe the wavefunction collapse by means of nonlinear (non-unitary) dynamical equations and then elaborating this approach for an entangled system. The model so obtained is just speculative without any claim of being robust against any criticism, nevertheless, it satisfies the purpose of giving the possibility to the hypotheses formulated above to be verified experimentally; in fact, it makes the proposal of an experiment potentially interesting which would otherwise be immediately dismissed as manifestly trivial. The proposed experiment would consist of checking the possible violation of Bell’s inequality between two identical but independent systems under appropriate conditions. Beyond its theoretical interest, entanglement is a key topic in quantum computing and quantum technologies, so any attempt to gain a deeper understanding of it could be useful.
Nonlocality arises from the unified “all or nothing” interactions of a spatially extended field quantum such as a photon or an electron.2 In the double-slit experiment with light, for example, each photon comes through both slits and arrives at the viewing screen as an extended but unified energy bundle or “field quantum.” When the photon interacts (randomly2) with the screen, field quantization requires it to alter its state instantaneously rather than gradually. Thus if the photon is absorbed, it must vanish or “collapse” nonlocally and instantaneously across a macroscopic portion of the screen, even across many kilometers in the case of interference patterns of light from a small distant star. The interaction instantly transfers the photons energy to a single atom of the screen. But a quantized field can contain any whole number of “excitations” (particles such as photons or electrons). If a single field quantum contains, say, two excitations, then generally the unified all-or-nothing character of quanta implies that any interaction of one excitation must also instantaneously affect the other excitation, regardless of the distance between them. The particles are then said to be “entangled” (see the “Background” section for a more precise definition of this term). Particles can become entangled by being created together in a single microscopic process, or by interacting with each other. Quantum entanglement is at least as fundamental as quantum uncertainty but is seldom mentioned in physics courses, although it has received broad attention recently in a wonderful book by Louisa Gilder.3 A recent paper in this journal presents entanglement in a manner that is useful for high school and college physics teachers.4 This paper builds on that presentation and looks at a different, more intuitive entanglement experiment that should be accessible to both scientists and nonscientists.
This work presents a conceptual and semi-formal analysis of quantum entanglement, locality, and determinism, motivated by a thought experiment involving double-slit measurements performed on entangled particles at spacelike separation. While quantum correlations appear instantaneous, the paper demonstrates that no superluminal information transfer or causal influence is required to explain observed outcomes.Building upon the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen framework and Bell’s theorem, the study distinguishes between local dynamical processes and nonlocal informational correlations encoded in the global quantum state. It argues that measurement outcomes are locally realized yet globally constrained, leading to an effectively deterministic universal description while preserving epistemic uncertainty for observers.The paper reframes quantum nonlocality as a manifestation of global consistency rather than physical influence, offering insights into the relationship between realism, free will, and relativistic causality. The discussion is interpretational in nature and does not introduce new experimental claims, aiming instead to clarify foundational assumptions underlying quantum theory.This work is intended for researchers and students interested in quantum foundations, the philosophy of physics, and the conceptual structure of modern physical theories.
Quantum nonlocality arising from entangled particles cannot be explained by any classical notion of local causality. In the standard Bell scenario with a source and two measurement stations, entangled states can lose their ability to exhibit nonlocality due to noisy conditions. Given the fundamental and technological significance of nonlocality and the fact that these noisy entangled states can naturally arise in practical situations, it is of utmost importance to unveil their nonlocality. Here, we demonstrate that nonlocal correlations can be generated from quantum states that cannot show nonlocality in bipartite Bell scenarios. We show how to robustly characterize these states and experimentally activate their nonlocality when embedded in a photonic network, by violating classical constraints in this quantum network. These results have implications in foundations of quantum nonlocality and direct applications to quantum technologies by significantly increasing the robustness of nonlocal correlations to noise.
Double slit interference is explained with the aid of what we call "21st century classical physics". We model a particle as an oscillator ("bouncer") in a thermal context, which is given by some assumed "zero-point" field of the vacuum. In this way, the quantum is understood as an emergent system, i.e., a steady-state system maintained by a constant throughput of (vacuum) energy. To account for the particle's thermal environment, we introduce a "path excitation field", which derives from the thermodynamics of the zero-point vacuum and which represents all possible paths a particle can take via thermal path fluctuations. The intensity distribution on a screen behind a double slit is calculated, as well as the corresponding trajectories and the probability density current. Further, particular features of the relative phase are shown to be responsible for nonlocal effects not only in ordinary quantum theory, but also in our classical approach.
Abstract Quantum entanglement and quantum nonlocality are examined in the context of the fundamental relationship between spacetime symmetry and conservation laws. It is established that quantum nonlocality arises from the very structure of spacetime. Arguments are presented in favor of the secondary nature of the spacetime continuum relative to more fundamental principles and concepts of the microworld. An example is given of a closed quantum entangled system, which demonstrates that such a system behaves as an indivisible whole: its particles are inseparably linked through the conservation of momentum. Physically, this manifests as strict correlations in measurements—correlations that must be nonlocal in nature. This supports the idea that there exist deep mechanisms of coordination, such as the principle of reciprocity between coordinate and momentum representations, and binary relations permeating the fabric of nonlocal spacetime. To understand the coherent behavior of such systems, it is necessary to move beyond local reductionism and accept the objective reality of global connections that bind the elements of the system into a unified ensemble.