Quantum mechanics is a probabilistic theory of the universe suggestive of a mean value theory similar to thermodynamics prior to the introduction of the atomic theory. If QM will follow a similar path to thermodynamics, then a local deterministic theory must be developed which matches QM predictions. There have been four tough barriers to a local theory of light, of which Bell’s Theorem has been considered the ultimate barrier. The other three barriers are explaining spontaneous emission, the reflection of a small fraction of light at a dielectric interface and the splitting action of a polarizer on polarized light (Malus’ Law). The challenge is that in a local theory of light, everything must have a specific cause and effect. There can be nothing spontaneous or hidden. Local solutions to all four of these barriers are presented in this paper, integrating results from two previous papers and adding the solution paths to the third and fourth barriers as well, which are nearly identical. A previous paper [1] used results from Einstein’s famous 1917 paper on stimulated emission to provide a deterministic local model for spontaneous emission. A second paper [2] showed that QM predictions in tests of Bell’s theorem could be matched with a local model by modifying the definition of entanglement in a manner invisible to quantum mechanics. This paper summarizes and extends those two results and then presents a deterministic model of reflection from a dielectric interface and transmission of polarized light through a polarizer that both match quantum mechanics. As the framework of a local theory of light emerges, it is not surprising that we find corners of physics where small disagreements with quantum mechanics are predicted. A new Bell type test is described in this paper which can distinguish the local from the nonlocal theory, giving predictions that must disagree slightly but significantly with quantum mechanics. If such experiments are proven to disagree with quantum mechanics, then the door to a local theory of light will be opened.
Quantum mechanics is a probabilistic theory of the universe suggestive of a mean value theory similar to thermodynamics prior to the introduction of the atomic theory. If QM will follow a similar path to thermodynamics, then a local deterministic theory must be developed which matches QM predictions. There have been four tough barriers to a local theory of light, of which Bell’s Theorem has been considered the ultimate barrier. The other three barriers are explaining spontaneous emission, the reflection of a small fraction of light at a dielectric interface and the splitting action of a polarizer on polarized light (Malus’ Law). The challenge is that in a local theory of light, everything must have a specific cause and effect. There can be nothing spontaneous or hidden. Local solutions to all four of these barriers are presented in this paper, integrating results from two previous papers and adding the solution paths to the third and fourth barriers as well, which are nearly identical. A previous paper [1] used results from Einstein’s famous 1917 paper on stimulated emission to provide a deterministic local model for spontaneous emission. A second paper [2] showed that QM predictions in tests of Bell’s theorem could be matched with a local model by modifying the definition of entanglement in a manner invisible to quantum mechanics. This paper summarizes and extends those two results and then presents a deterministic model of reflection from a dielectric interface and transmission of polarized light through a polarizer that both match quantum mechanics. As the framework of a local theory of light emerges, it is not surprising that we find corners of physics where small disagreements with quantum mechanics are predicted. A new Bell type test is described in this paper which can distinguish the local from the nonlocal theory, giving predictions that must disagree slightly but significantly with quantum mechanics. If such experiments are proven to disagree with quantum mechanics, then the door to a local theory of light will be opened.
Bell’s theorem, first presented by John Bell in 1964, has been used for many years to prove that no classical theory can ever match verified quantum mechanical predictions for entangled particles. By relaxing the definition of entangled slightly, we have found a mathematical solution for two entangled photons that produces the familiar quantum mechanical counting statistics without requiring a non-local theory such as quantum mechanics. This solution neither is claimed to be unique nor represents an accurate model of photonic interactions. However, it is an existence proof that there are local models of photonic emission that can reproduce quantum statistics.
A previous paper demonstrated that two local, realistic models based on Markov Random Fields (MRF) across space time do replicate the correct, tested predictions of quantum mechanics for simple Bell Theorem experiments. This paper demonstrates a third such model, MRF3, which is more plausible physically, making contact with the physics of polarizers. It shows how to translate that type of model into an equivalent quantum mechanical model, which requires an augmentation to the usual measurement operator now used to represent polarizers in such experiments. The validity of that augmentation may be testable in experiments involving three or four photons, with relevance to quantum computing and communication.
In the Einstein-Bohr debate, Einstein considered quantum mechanics incomplete and disagreed with Born’s probabilistic interpretation of wave-functions. Observers in the axioms of quantum mechanics also bothered Einstein. Inspired by Einstein, Bell and his followers intended to complete quantum mechanics within the framework of local realism. Regrettably, the deterministic correlation between distant components of a separable system in Einstein’s local-realist description of the world is mistaken for non-locality in the world described by Bell’s theorem, leading to incorrect interpretations of experimental results obtained by testing Bell inequalities. This article introduces a new principle, the general principle of measurements, which is proved as a mathematical theorem and allows quantum mechanics to be completed within the framework of local realism while keeping the formal axiomatic definition of a general Hilbert space unchanged. The completed theory can provide the same probabilistic predictions of empirical results as those provided by the current theory. Using disjunction (“or”) as the logical relation between superposed orthonormal vectors, the completed theory precludes observers in the axioms of the current theory and inexplicable collapses of wave-functions, thus it is intuitively comprehensible and alleviates much difficulty in understanding quantum mechanics. Among various world views, Einstein’s local-realist world view is correct.
As we all know, Einstein disagreed with Born's probabilistic interpretation of wave-functions, which collapse abruptly once measurements are performed on the corresponding systems. In the Einstein-Bohr debate, Einstein considered quantum mechanics incomplete. Inspired by Einstein, Bell and his followers intended to complete quantum mechanics within the framework of local realism. Regrettably, deterministic correlations in Einstein's local-realist description of the world are mistaken for "nonlocal-interactions" (non-locality) in the world described by Bell's theorem, which leads to the questionable interpretation of the experimental results obtained by testing Bell inequalities. This article introduces a new principle, the general principle of measurements, which is proved as a mathematical theorem and allows quantum mechanics to be completed within the framework of local realism while keeping the axiomatic definition of a general Hilbert space essentially unchanged. Using disjunction ("or") as the logical relation between orthonormal vectors spanning a given Hilbert space, the completed quantum theory precludes inexplicable collapses of wave-functions and is intuitively comprehensible, thus alleviating much difficulty in understanding quantum mechanics. Among various world views, Einstein's local-realist world view is correct.
In the Einstein-Bohr debate, Einstein considered quantum mechanics incomplete and disagreed with Born's probabilistic interpretation of wave-functions. Observers in the axioms of the theory also bothered Einstein. Inspired by Einstein, Bell and his followers intended to complete quantum mechanics within the framework of local realism. Regrettably, the deterministic correlation between distant components of a separable system in Einstein's local-realist description of the world is mistaken for non-locality in the world described by Bell's theorem, which interprets the experimental results of testing Bell inequalities incorrectly. This article introduces a new principle, the general principle of measurements, which is proved as a mathematical theorem, allowing quantum mechanics to be completed within the framework of local realism while keeping the definition of a general Hilbert space unchanged. Using disjunction (``or'') as the logical relation between superposed orthonormal vectors, the completed quantum theory provides the same probabilistic predictions of empirical results as those provided by the current version of the theory, precludes inexplicable collapses of wave-functions, eliminates observers from the axioms of quantum mechanics, and is intuitively comprehensible, thus alleviating much difficulty experienced by many people in understanding the theory in its present form. Among various world views, Einstein's local-realist world view is correct.
As we all know, Einstein disagreed with Born's probabilistic interpretation of wave-functions, which collapse abruptly once measurements are performed on the corresponding systems. In the Einstein-Bohr debate, Einstein considered quantum mechanics incomplete. Inspired by Einstein, Bell and his followers intended to complete quantum mechanics within the framework of local realism. Regrettably, deterministic correlations in Einstein's local-realist description of the world are mistaken for "nonlocal-interactions" (non-locality) in the world described by Bell's theorem, which leads to the questionable interpretation of the experimental results obtained by testing Bell inequalities. This article introduces a new principle, the general principle of measurements, which is proved as a mathematical theorem and allows quantum mechanics to be completed within the framework of local realism while keeping the axiomatic definition of a general Hilbert space essentially unchanged. Using disjunction ("or") as the logical relation between orthonormal vectors spanning a given Hilbert space, the completed quantum theory precludes inexplicable collapses of wave-functions and is intuitively comprehensible, thus alleviating much difficulty in understanding quantum mechanics. Among various world views, Einstein's local-realist world view is correct.