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Physical Review Letters

Proposed Experiment to Test Local Hidden-Variable Theories

John F. Clauser, Michael Horne, Abner Shimony, Richard A. Holt

Published Oct 13, 1969• 7,573 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A theorem of Bell, proving that certain predictions of quantum mechanics are inconsistent with the entire family of local hidden-variable theories, is generalized so as to apply to realizable experiments. A proposed extension of the experiment of Kocher and Commins, on the polarization correlation of a pair of optical photons, will provide a decisive test between quantum mechanics and local hidden-variable theories.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.23.880

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A theorem of Bell, proving that certain predictions of quantum mechanics are inconsistent with the entire family of local hidden-variable theories, is generalized so as to apply to realizable experiments. A proposed extension of the experiment of Kocher and Commins, on the polarization correlation of a pair of optical photons, will provide a decisive test between quantum mechanics and local hidden-variable theories.
A local hidden-variable model is exhibited for the experiments by Aspect, Grangier, and Roger [Phys. Rev. Lett. 47, 460 (1981); 49, 91 (1982)] and Aspect, Dalibard, and Roger [Phys. Rev. Lett. 49, 1804 (1982)] measuring polarization correlation of optical-photon pairs. The model agrees with quantum-mechanical predictions for all measurable quantities even with ideal polarizers and detectors, and emphasizes the need of a high degree of directional correlation, besides the correlation of spin (or polarization or other quantities), in any test of locality. It is proved that homogeneous inequalities, involving only coincidence detection rates, cannot discriminate between quantum mechanics and local theories, which invalidates all previously used empirical tests. The role of supplementary assumptions, like the so-called no enhancement, for the derivation of Bell's inequalities is discussed. Finally it is conjectured that quantum mechanics might be compatible with local realism, if we assume that not all self-adjoint operators represent observables and not all density operators represent states.
A family of theories called "deterministic local hidden variable theories" (DLHV) is characterized and their consequences are investigated for an experimentally realistic situation. An experiment on the polarization correlation of optical photon pairs emitted in certain atomic cascades is proposed as a test of the family of DLHV theories. The model-independent hidden variable predictions applicable to the realistic experimental arrangement are obtained by a generalization of a previous theorem of Bell. Quantum mechanical predictions for the same experimental situation are calculated for two cases: a J = 0 + J = 1 + J = 0 and a J = 1 + J = 1 + J = 0 electric dipole cascade. For both cascades, it is shown that the quantum mechanical and the DLHV predictions are in sufficient disagreement for an actual experimental test to be possible. Restrictions on detector solid angle and polarizer efficiency, necessary to obtain a decisive experiment, are explicitly given. The Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen argument for the existence of a DLHV theory is reviewed.
Quantum mechanics makes surprising predictions that defy our classical understanding of the world.Experiments done on entangled particles-particles with linked properties-prove that actions on one particle can affect the other one no matter the distance.In response, physicists came up with local hidden variable theories in an attempt to understand this quantum phenomena through a classical lens.John Bell formulated a way to test whether nature is dictated by local hidden variable theories or quantum mechanics, and since then it has been the goal of numerous physicists to experimentally test the theorem and improve upon the results.This paper describes the history of these experiments, their pros and cons, their advancements, and the potential applications that they will enable.
Quantum entaglement is one of hot subjects of fundamental physics in recent years. Bell-Kochen-Specker theory, which shows the inconsistency between the theory of hidden variables and quantum mechanics, implies the global correlation of quantum systems. We in present paper analyse the entaglement state of a pair of polarized photons created by annihilation of the electron-positron pair and explain explicitly the inconsistency between background independent theory of hidden variables and quantum mechanics.