One of the advantages of a reconstruction of quantum mechanics based on transparent physical axioms is that it may offer insight to naturally generalize quantum mechanics by relaxing the axioms. Here, we discuss possible extensions of quantum mechanics within a general epistemic framework based on an operational scheme of estimation of momentum given information on the conjugate positions under epistemic restriction. The epistemic restriction is parameterized by a global-nonseparable random variable on the order of Planck constant, an ontic extension to the separable classical phase-space variables. Within the estimation scheme, the canonical quantum laws are reconstructed for a specific estimator and estimation error. In the present work, keeping the Born's quadratic law intact, we construct a class of nonlinear variants of Schr"odinger equation and generalized Heisenberg uncertainty principle within the estimation scheme by assuming a more general class of estimation errors. The nonlinearity of the Schr"odinger equation and the deviation from the Heisenberg uncertainty principle thus have a common transparent operational origin in terms of generalizations of estimation errors. We then argue that a broad class of nonlinearities and deviations from the Heisenberg uncertainty principle arise from estimation errors violating a plausible inferential-causality principle of estimation independence which is respected by the standard quantum mechanics. This result therefore constrains possible extensions of quantum mechanics and suggests directions to generalize quantum mechanics which comply with the principle of estimation independence.
Quantum uncertainty is the cornerstone of quantum mechanics which underlies many counterintuitive nonclassical phenomena. Recent studies remarkably showed that it also fundamentally limits nonclassical correlation, and crucially, a deviation from its exact form may lead to a violation of the second law of thermodynamics. Are there deep and natural principles which uniquely determine its form? Here we work within a general epistemic framework for a class of nonclassical theories, introducing an epistemic restriction to an otherwise classical theory, so that the distributions of positions are irreducibly parametrized by the underlying momentum fields. It was recently shown that the mathematics of quantum mechanics formally arises within an operational scheme, wherein an agent makes a specific estimation of the momentum given information on the positions and the experimental settings. Moreover, quantum uncertainty can be traced back to the ``specific'' choice of estimator and the associated estimation error. In the present work, we show that a plausible inferential-causality principle of estimation independence, which requires that the estimation of momentum of one system must be independent of the position of another system independently prepared of the first, singles out the specific forms of the estimator, and especially the estimation error up to its strength given by a global-nonseparable random variable on the order of Planck constant.
Consider a statistical model with an epistemic restriction such that, unlike in classical mechanics, the allowed distribution of positions is fundamentally restricted by the form of an underlying momentum field. Assume an agent (observer) who wishes to estimate the momentum field given information on the conjugate positions. We discuss a classically consistent, weakly unbiased, best estimation scheme for the momentum field (by minimizing the mean-squared error) based on which the abstract mathematical rules of quantum mechanics can be derived. The results suggest that a quantum wave function is not an objective agent-independent attribute of reality but represents the agent's best estimations of the momentum, given the positions, under epistemic restriction. Quantum uncertainty and complementarity between momentum and position find their epistemic origin from the trade-off between the mean-squared errors of simultaneous estimations of momentum field and mean position, with the Gaussian wave function representing the simultaneous efficient estimations, achieving the Cram\'er-Rao bounds of the associated mean-squared errors. We then argue that unitary time evolution and wave-function collapse in measurement are normative rules for an agent to update her estimations given information on the experimental settings.
What does it take for real-deterministic
c-valued (i.e., classical, commuting) variables to comply with the Heisenberg uncertainty principle? Here, we construct a class of real-deterministic
c-valued variables out of the weak values obtained via a nonperturbing weak measurement of quantum operators with a postselection over a complete set of state vectors basis, which always satisfies the Kennard-Robertson-Schr\"odinger uncertainty relation. First, we introduce an auxiliary global random variable and couple it to the imaginary part of the weak value to convert the incompatibility between the quantum operator and the basis into the fluctuation of an ``error term,'' and then superimpose it onto the real part of the weak value. We show that this class of ``
c-valued physical quantities'' provides a real-deterministic contextual hidden-variable model for the quantum expectation value of a certain class of operators. We then show that the Schr\"odinger and the Kennard-Robertson lower bounds can be obtained separately by imposing the classical uncertainty relation to the
c-valued physical quantities associated with a pair of Hermitian operators. Within the representation, the complementarity between two incompatible quantum observables manifests the absence of a basis wherein the error terms of the associated two
c-valued physical quantities simultaneously vanish. Furthermore, quantum uncertainty principle is captured by a specific irreducible epistemic restriction between the two
c-valued physical quantities, foreign in classical mechanics, constraining the allowed form of their joint distribution. We then suggest an epistemic interpretation of the two terms decomposing the
c-valued physical quantity as the optimal estimate under the epistemic restriction and the associated estimation error, and discuss the classical limit.
Due to the requirements of the principle of causality in the theory of relativity, one cannot make a device for the simultaneous measuring of the canonical conjugate variables in the conjugate Fourier spaces. Instead of admitting that a particle’s position and its conjugate momentum cannot be accurately measured at the same time, we consider the only probabilities which can be determined when working at subatomic level to be valid. On the other hand, based on Schwinger's action principle and using the quadridimensional form of the unitary transformation generator function of the quantum operators in the paper, the general form of the evolution equation for these operators is established. In the nonrelativistic case one obtains the Heisenberg's type evolution equations which can be particularized to derive Heisenberg's uncertainty relations. The analysis of the uncertainty relations as implicit evolution equations allows us to put into evidence the intrinsic nature of the correlation expressed by these equations in straight relations with the measuring process. The independence of the quantisation postulate from the causal evolution postulate of quantum mechanics is also put into discussion.
Abstract Inspired by the generalized uncertainty principle, which adds gravitational effects to the standard description of quantum uncertainty, we extend the exact uncertainty principle approach by Hall and Reginatto (2002 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 35 3289 ), and obtain a (quasi)nonlinear Schrödinger equation. This quantum evolution equation of unusual form, enjoys several desired properties like separation of non-interacting subsystems or plane-wave solutions for free particles. Starting with the harmonic oscillator example, we show that every solution of this equation respects the gravitationally induced minimal position uncertainty proportional to the Planck length. Quite surprisingly, our result successfully merges the core of classical physics with non-relativistic quantum mechanics in its extremal form. We predict that the commonly accepted phenomenon, namely a modification of a free-particle dispersion relation due to quantum gravity might not occur in reality.
Abstract Where does quantum mechanics part ways with classical mechanics? How does quantum randomness differ fundamentally from classical randomness? We cannot fully explain how the theories differ until we can derive them within a single axiomatic framework, allowing an unambiguous account of how one theory is the limit of the other. Here we derive non-relativistic quantum mechanics and classical statistical mechanics within a common framework. The common axioms include conservation of average energy and conservation of probability current. But two axioms distinguish quantum mechanics from classical statistical mechanics: an “ontic extension” defines a nonseparable (global) random variable that generates physical correlations, and an “epistemic restriction” constrains allowed phase space distributions. The ontic extension and epistemic restriction, with strength on the order of Planck’s constant, imply quantum entanglement and uncertainty relations. This framework suggests that the wave function is epistemic, yet it does not provide an ontic dynamics for individual systems.