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arXiv:1406.0138 · Physica Scripta

Quantum probabilities from combination of Zurekʼs envariance and Gleasonʼs theorem

A. V. Nenashev

Published Dec 1, 2014• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The quantum-mechanical rule for probabilities, in its most general form of positive-operator valued measure (POVM), is shown to be a consequence of the environment-assisted invariance (envariance) idea suggested by Zurek [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 120404 (2003)], being completed by Gleason's theorem. This provides also a method for derivation of the Born rule.

DOI
10.1088/0031-8949/2014/t163/014033

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arXiv:1308.5384•Aug 25, 2013•0 citations
The quantum-mechanical rule for probabilities, in its most general form of positive-operator valued measure (POVM), is shown to be a consequence of the environment-assisted invariance (envariance) idea suggested by Zurek [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 120404 (2003)], being completed by Gleason's theorem. This provides also a method for derivation of the Born rule.
I show how probabilities arise in quantum physics by exploring the implications of environment-assisted invariance or envariance, a recently discovered symmetry exhibited by entangled quantum systems. Envariance of perfectly entangled ``Bell-like'' states can be used to rigorously justify complete ignorance of the observer about the outcome of any measurement on either of the members of the entangled pair. For more general states, envariance leads to Born's rule ${p}_{k}\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\mid}{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{k}\ensuremath{\mid}}^{2}$ for the outcomes associated with Schmidt states. The probabilities derived in this manner are an objective reflection of the underlying state of the system---they represent experimentally verifiable symmetries, and not just a subjective ``state of knowledge'' of the observer. This envariance-based approach is compared with and found to be superior to prequantum definitions of probability including the standard definition based on the ``principle of indifference'' due to Laplace and the relative frequency approach advocated by von Mises. Implications of envariance for the interpretation of quantum theory go beyond the derivation of Born's rule: Envariance is enough to establish the dynamical independence of preferred branches of the evolving state vector of the composite system and, thus, to arrive at the environment-induced superselection (einselection) of pointer states, which was usually derived by an appeal to decoherence. The envariant origin of Born's rule for probabilities sheds light on the relation between ignorance (and, hence, information) and the nature of quantum states.
Zurek's derivation of Born's rule using envariance (invariance due to entanglement) is considered to capture the probability in full generality, but only as applied to measurement of a quantum observable. Contrariwise, textbook formulations of Born's rule begin with a pure state of a closed, undivided system. The task of this study is to show that a rearrangement of the Zurek approach is possible in which the latter is viewed as giving the probabilities for Schmidt states of an arbitrary composite state vector, and afterwards it is extended to probabilities in a closed, undivided system. This is achieved by determining simultaneously probability and measurement based on the fact that the physical meaning of probability and that of measurement are inextricably dependent on each other.
Zurek has derived the quantum probabilities for Schmidt basis states of bipartite quantum systems in pure joint states, from the assumption that they should be not be affected by one party's action if the action can be undone by the other party (``envariance of probability'') and an auxiliary assumption. We argue that a natural generalization of the auxiliary assumption is actually strong enough to yield the Born rule itself, but that Zurek's argument and protocol can be adapted to do without this assumption, at the cost of using envariance of probability in both directions. We consider alternative motivations for envariance, one based on the no-signalling constraint that actions on one subsystem of a quantum system not allow signalling to another subsystem entirely distinct from the first, and another which is perhaps strongest in the context of a relative-state interpretation of quantum mechanics. In part because of this, we argue that the relative appeal of our version and the original version of Zurek's argument depends in part upon whether one interprets the quantum formalism in terms of relative states or definite measurement outcomes.
We prove a Gleason-type theorem for the quantum probability rule using frame functions defined on positive-operator-valued measures (POVMs), as opposed to the restricted class of orthogonal projection-valued measures used in the original theorem. The advantage of this method is that it works for two-dimensional quantum systems (qubits) and even for vector spaces over rational fields--settings where the standard theorem fails. Furthermore, unlike the method necessary for proving the original result, the present one is rather elementary. In the case of a qubit, we investigate similar results for frame functions defined upon various restricted classes of POVMs. For the so-called trine measurements, the standard quantum probability rule is again recovered.
Buschʼs theorem deriving the standard quantum probability rule can be regarded as a more general form of Gleasonʼs theorem. Here we show that a further generalization is possible by reducing the number of quantum postulates used by Busch. We do not assume that the positive measurement outcome operators are effects or that they form a probability operator measure. We derive a more general probability rule from which the standard rule can be obtained from the normal laws of probability when there is no measurement outcome information available, without the need for further quantum postulates. Our general probability rule has prediction–retrodiction symmetry and we show how it may be applied in quantum communications and in retrodictive quantum theory.
The Born rule for probabilities of measurement results is deduced from the set of five assumptions. The assumptions state that: (a) the state vector fully determines the probabilities of all measurement results; (b) between measurements, any quantum system is governed by that part of standard quantum mechanics, which does not refer to measurements; (c) probabilities of measurement results obey the rules of the classical theory of probability; (d) no information transfer is possible without interaction; (e) if two spin-1/2 particles are in the entangled state (sqrt(1-λ)|up>|up> + sqrt(λ)|down>|down>), and one of spins is measured by the Stern-Gerlach apparatus, then the state of the other spin after this measurement will be either |up> or |down>, corresponding to the measurement result. No one of these assumptions can be omitted. The method of the derivation is based on Zurek's idea of environment-assisted invariance [PRL 90, 120404 (2003)], though taken in rather modified form. Entanglement plays a crucial role in our approach (like in Zurek's one), so the probabilities are first considered in the case when the measured quantum system is entangled with some environment. Probabilities in pure states appear then as a particular case. The method of the present paper can be applied to both ideal and non-ideal measuring devices, irrespective to their constructions and principles of operation.