This paper calls attention to the current state of the probability (P) domain which presents weak points at the mathematical level and more significant flaws at the application level. Popper notices how fundamental issues raised in quantum mechanics (QM) directly derive from unresolved probabilistic questions. Endless philosophical debates create more problems than solutions, so the author of this research suggests going directly to the root of the issues and searching for the probability theory which formalizes the multifold nature of P. This paper offers a brief overview of the structural theory of probability, recently published in a book, and applies it to QM in order to show its completeness. The whole probability-based interpretation of QM goes beyond the limits of a paper and these pages condense a few aspects of this theoretical scheme. The double slit experiment is used to corroborate the theorems presented here.
This paper calls attention to the current state of the probability (P) domain which presents weak points at the mathematical level and more significant flaws at the application level. Popper notices how fundamental issues raised in quantum mechanics (QM) directly derive from unresolved probabilistic questions. Endless philosophical debates create more problems than solutions, so the author of this research suggests going directly to the root of the issues and searching for the probability theory which formalizes the multifold nature of P. This paper offers a brief overview of the structural theory of probability, recently published in a book, and applies it to QM in order to show its completeness. The whole probability-based interpretation of QM goes beyond the limits of a paper and these pages condense a few aspects of this theoretical scheme. The double slit experiment is used to corroborate the theorems presented here.
Abstract This study calls attention to the current state of the probability ( P ) domain which presents weak points at the mathematical level and more significant flaws at the application level. Popper noticed how fundamental issues raised in quantum mechanics (QM) directly derive from unresolved probabilistic questions. Endless philosophical debates create more problems than solutions, so the author of this research suggests going directly to the root of the issues and searching for the probability theory which formalizes the multifold nature of P . This study offers a brief overview of the structural theory of probability , recently published in a book, and applies it to QM in order to show its completeness. The whole probability-based interpretation of QM goes beyond the limits of a paper and these pages condense a few aspects of this theoretical scheme. The double slit experiment is used to corroborate the theorems presented here.
Current literature presents about a dozen probability (P) interpretations: frequentist, Bayesian etc. Each one illustrates a partial aspect of indeterminism and turns out to be incompatible with the others on the logical plane. Basically, every model of P deals with a specific relation of P with the world and this fragmentary theorization inevitably has negative impact on quantum physics which is intrinsically indeterministic. Popper believed that the base issues of quantum mechanics cannot be untangled unless the unified probability theory is set up. So, we have conducted an attempt to integrate all the probability models and used the theoretical results to interpret quantum duality, wave collapse and measurement. The entire work, published in a recent book, exceeds the limits of this paper. Here we put forward a summary that concisely recalls the main definitions and five theorems out fifteen that have been proved. Finally, these theoretical tools will be used to discuss a thought experiment of Einstein and the Wheeler experiment. This proposal has the following features: (1) It addresses classical and quantum issues using the same theorems; (2) It develops a quantum interpretation that agrees with intuition and refutes disputable and bizarre views.
When investigating various interpretations of quantum mechanics one notices that each interpretation contains an element which escapes a complete and full description. This element is always associated with the stochasticity of the individual event in the quantum measurement process. It appears that the implications of this limit to any description of the world has not been sufficiently appreciated with notable exceptions of, for example, Heisenberg, Pauli and Wheeler. If we assume that a deeper foundation of quantum mechanics is possible, the question arises which features such a philosophical foundation might have. It is suggested that the objective randomness of the individual quantum event is a necessity of a description of the world in view of the significant influence the observer in quantum mechanics has. It is also suggested that the austerity of the Copenhagen interpretation should serve as a guiding principle in a search for deeper understanding. In recent years, a significant increase of interest in the foundations of quantum mechanics can be observed. This increase is certainly related to the immense progress made during the last two decades in experiments with individual quantum systems. This technological progress has made it possible to really perform more and more of the famous gedanken experiments which were so important in the early days of the theory. Not only did these experiments confirm the theory in every detail, they also opened up avenues for new experimental directions which might even lead some day to new technology. While such applications are certainly still far away, areas like quantum cryptography[1], quantum computation[2] and interaction-free measurement[3], just to name a few examples, certainly deserve the attention they receive. All this activity has also drawn more attention to the problems of understanding and interpreting quantum mechanics. It seems that there, a definitive consensus has not yet been reached. As witnesses quote authorities like Feynman as saying[4]: I think can safely say that nobody today understands quantum mechanics, whereby he apparently included himself, or like Roger Penrose[5], who describes his opinion remarking that while the theory agrees incredibly well with experiment and while it is of profound mathematical beauty, it makes absolutely no sense. Why did even physicists who have contributed so significantly to quantum theory Feynman was even rewarded the Nobel Prize for one of its mathematical formulations choose such emphatic and strong formulations? Why is it that the average physicist hears very little about such problems during his/her education? Why is the comprehension of the theory very often focused on formalism while questions that probe for deeper meaning are usually not tackled? To take a closer look at the situation, let us turn to a brief analysis of the interpretation of quantum mechanics. We note that there are at least two levels of interpreting a formalism, a physical theory. The first, basic, level supplies the rules that determine which element of the formalism corresponds to which measurable quantity or to which observable fact in a concrete experimental situation. Theses rules are a large, mostly not explicated but only implicit, set of instructions. These instructions concern the manner of working with the statements of the theory in order to obtain predictions for future experiments or events, and they concern the instructions on how to proceed in experiment in order to demonstrate or test a theoretical
(1) Background: Over a dozen constructions have been proposed to untangle the foundations of quantum mechanics (QM). So many irreconcilable schemes raise the suspect that methodological requisites should be discussed before beginning a theoretical construction in QM. In particular, we identify the ensuing issues of methods: formal definitions of particles and waves; incompatible probability theories and the single case problem. (2) Methods of the present inquiry: We tackle the second and third issue with a novel and comprehensive probability theory. Next it applies the theoretical results to quantum physics. (3) Results of the present inquiry: The new probability theory proves how some effects - the impossibility of measuring, the collapse of outcomes, non-locality and counterfactual definiteness - are not exclusive to quantum mechanics but can be observed also in classical context. (4) Conclusions: A probability-based interpretation of quantum mechanics is derived; innovative answers are put forward about quantum dualism, the measurement problem, collapse and the relations between classical and quantum physics.
The ideal text for a two-semester graduate course on quantum mechanics. Fresh, comprehensive, and clear, it strikes the optimal balance between covering traditional material and exploring contemporary topics. Focusing on the probabilistic structure of quantum mechanics and the central role of symmetries to unify principles, this textbook guides readers through the logical development of the theory. Students will also learn about the more exciting and controversial aspects of quantum theory, with discussions on past interpretations and the current debates on cutting-edge concepts such as quantum information and entanglement, open quantum systems, and quantum measurement theory. The book has two types of content: Type A material is more elementary and is fully self-contained, functioning like a separate book within the book, while Type B content is at the level of a graduate course. Requiring minimal physics background, this textbook is appropriate for mathematics and engineering students, in addition to physicists. Introducing cutting-edge topics in the field, the book features about 150 concept-checking questions, 300 homework problems and a solutions manual.
Quantum mechanics is a very successful theory that has impacted on many areas of physics, from pure theory to applications. However, it is difficult to interpret, and philosophical contradictions and counterintuitive results are apparent at a fundamental level. In this book, Laloë presents our current understanding of the theory. The book explores the basic questions and difficulties that arise with the theory of quantum mechanics. It examines the various interpretations that have been proposed, describing and comparing them and discussing their success and difficulties. The book is ideal for researchers in physics and mathematics who want to know more about the problems faced in quantum mechanics but who do not have specialist knowledge in the subject. It will also interest philosophers of science, as well as all scientists who are curious about quantum physics and its peculiarities.