We investigate whether the inner product structure of quantum mechanics can be modified without violating fundamental physical principles. We consider a generalized inner product defined by a positive operator and assume local unitary dynamics, existence of entangled states and the no-signalling principle. We show that any nontrivial choice of inner product different from standard one inevitably leads to superluminal signalling, in contradiction with relativistic causality. Therefore, the standard Hilbert-space inner product is uniquely enforced by no-signalling.
We investigate whether the inner product structure of quantum mechanics can be modified without violating fundamental physical principles. We consider a generalized inner product defined by a positive operator and assume local unitary dynamics, existence of entangled states and the no-signalling principle. We show that any nontrivial choice of inner product different from standard one inevitably leads to superluminal signalling, in contradiction with relativistic causality. Therefore, the standard Hilbert-space inner product is uniquely enforced by no-signalling.
Non-classical correlations resulting from entangled quantum systems have sparked debates about the compatibility of quantum theory and relativity, and about the right way to think about causation. Key to a causal theory is that superluminal signalling is forbidden, which holds in quantum theory. In Bell scenarios, relativistic causality principles like no superluminal signalling are often assumed to follow from the standard no-signalling constraints on correlations. We explore the connections between a range of relativistic principles, including no superluminal signalling and no causal loops, and constraints on correlations that can arise with arbitrary interventions, within multi-party Bell scenarios. This includes standard no-signalling conditions and proposed relaxations allowing phenomena like jamming, where it was suggested that superluminal signalling and causal loops remain impossible. Using our recent framework combining relativistic principles with causal modelling, we show that any theory (classical or non-classical) allowing jamming must rely on causal fine-tuning and superluminal causal influences. Additionally, we show that jamming theories can lead to superluminal signalling in certain situations, highlighting limitations for their physicality. However, we identify cases where jamming correlations avoid superluminal signalling under general interventions, demonstrating that standard no-signalling constraints are not necessary for this purpose. We also show that these constraints are insufficient to rule out superluminal signalling and are neither necessary nor sufficient for ensuring no causal loops under general interventions. Finally, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for ruling out superluminal signalling and operationally detectable causal loops, solidifying our understanding of relativistic causality principles in information processing tasks in space-time.
A central goal in the foundations of physics is to understand the structure of physical theories, such as quantum theory, from physical principles. This is often explored by considering various information-theoretic principles. Here, we initiate a similar approach considering relativistic causality principles. No superluminal causation (NSC) and no superluminal signaling (NSS) are distinct relativistic principles, requiring respectively that causal influence/the ability of agents to signal are within the future lightcone. After formalizing their distinction, we investigate how well theories constrained by NSC and NSS perform in a task that involves generating nonclassical correlations. We find a spacetime configuration in which this task cannot be achieved in any theory (classical, quantum, or postquantum) satisfying NSC. However, we show that theories violating NSC but satisfying NSS can perfectly achieve the task. We give a protocol that would, in a world allowing superluminal causation, enable its operational certification without violating NSS, in general spacetimes. In the case of (1 + 1)-dimensional Minkowski spacetime, the task remains achievable in a configuration where measurement outcomes occur arbitrarily earlier in time than the settings, allowing a form of certifiable retrocausality without violating NSS. We illustrate our results by linking two different types of nonclassical postquantum resources: PR boxes and jamming. Our work offers insights into the role of different relativistic causality principles in fundamental physics and paves the way for characterizing the information-theoretic structure of theories obeying such principles.
Abstract P T -symmetric quantum mechanics, the extension of conventional quantum mechanics to the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian invariant under the combined parity ( P ) and time reversal ( T ) symmetry, has been successfully applied to a variety of fields—such as solid state physics, mathematical physics, optics, quantum field theory. Recently, the extension of P T -symmetrical theory to entangled quantum systems has been challenged, in that P T formulation within the conventional Hilbert space violates the no-signaling principle. Here, we revisit the derivation of non-signaling principle in the framework of C P T inner product prescription. Our results preserve the no-signaling principle for a two-qubit system, reaffirm the invariance of the entanglement, and reproduce the Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt (CHSH) inequality. We conclude that P T -symmetric quantum mechanics satisfies the requirements for a fundamental theory and provides a consistent description of quantum systems.
Abstract Violation of the no-signaling principle may occur in PT -symmetric evolutions, that is, evolutions that stem from Hamiltonians that are symmetric with respect to parity and time-reversal, of bipartite entangled states. The violation can be avoided by using a non-conventional inner product. We show that even within the formalism that utilizes the conventional inner product between physical state vectors in a separable Hilbert space, it is possible to obtain instances of local preservation of the no-signaling principle for evolutions corresponding to PT -symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with real eigenvalues, of multiparty entangled states, whose bipartite versions still violate the principle. The phenomenon can be witnessed already by using the Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger state. Interestingly, the generalized W states do not support such a local preservation of no-signaling.
Causality is fundamental to science, but it appears in several different forms. One is relativistic causality, which is tied to a spacetime structure and forbids signaling outside the future. A second is an operational notion of causation that considers the flow of information between physical systems and interventions on them. In [V. Vilasini and R. Colbeck, General framework for cyclic and fine-tuned causal models and their compatibility with space-time, Phys. Rev. A 106, 032204 (2022).PLRAAN2469-992610.1103/PhysRevA.106.032204], we propose a framework for characterizing when a causal model can coexist with relativistic principles such as no superluminal signaling, while allowing for cyclic and nonclassical causal influences and the possibility of causation without signaling. In a theory without superluminal causation, both superluminal signaling and causal loops are not possible in Minkowski spacetime. Here we demonstrate that if we only forbid superluminal signaling, superluminal causation remains possible and show the mathematical possibility of causal loops that can be embedded in a Minkowski spacetime without leading to superluminal signaling. The existence of such loops in the given spacetime could in principle be operationally verified using interventions. This establishes that the physical principle of no superluminal signaling is not by itself sufficient to rule out causal loops between Minkowski spacetime events. Interestingly, the conditions required to rule out causal loops in a spacetime depend on the dimension. Whether such loops are possible in three spatial dimensions remains an important open question.
Quantum mechanics exhibits nonlocal correlations, most clearly demonstrated by entanglement and the violation of Bell inequalities. These phenomena are often described as implying “faster-than-light influences,” creating an apparent contradiction with special relativity. This paper shows that no such contradiction exists once a clear distinction is made between propagating causal influence and global constraint resolution. In a harmonic, structure-first framework, entangled systems constitute single coherent structures extended across space. Measurement imposes a local boundary condition that globally refines the allowed state of the system without transmitting energy, signals, or information. Relativistic causality remains intact because no controllable superluminal communication is possible. Quantum nonlocality reflects structural nonseparability, not superluminal dynamics.