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Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General

The Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory, the Einstein-Podolski-Rosen paradox, and stochastic electrodynamics

Kuni Imaeda, Mari Imaeda

Published Apr 1, 1982• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The classical Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory with a postulate of Lorentz-invariant zero-point electromagnetic radiation is proposed to explain quantum phenomena in a similar manner to that of stochastic electrodynamics. For this purpose, Cramer's model of a 'Minimum emitter-absorber transaction' is extended to the case where zero-point radiation exists, in the context of the classical Wheeler-Feynman theory. The Einstein-Podolski-Rosen paradox and the quantum levels of a charged simple harmonic oscillator are derived from the theory. It is shown that the condition for a transaction plays an essential role, such as in the radiative balance of a simple harmonic oscillator.

DOI
10.1088/0305-4470/15/4/026

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The classical Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory with a postulate of Lorentz-invariant zero-point electromagnetic radiation is proposed to explain quantum phenomena in a similar manner to that of stochastic electrodynamics. For this purpose, Cramer's model of a 'Minimum emitter-absorber transaction' is extended to the case where zero-point radiation exists, in the context of the classical Wheeler-Feynman theory. The Einstein-Podolski-Rosen paradox and the quantum levels of a charged simple harmonic oscillator are derived from the theory. It is shown that the condition for a transaction plays an essential role, such as in the radiative balance of a simple harmonic oscillator.
A generalized form of Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory is used to explain the quantum-mechanical paradox proposed by Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR). The advanced solutions of the electromagnetic wave equation and of relativistic quantum-mechanical wave equations are shown to play the role of "verifier" in quantum-mechanical "transactions," providing microscopic communication paths between detectors across spacelike intervals in violation of the EPR locality postulate. The principle of causality is discussed in the context of this approach, and possibilities for experimental tests of the theory are examined.
A quantised version of Wheeler-Feynman time symmetric absorber theory sheds new light on an old problem at present experiencing a revival of interest. Some photon correlation experiments, when interpreted in terms of quantum electrodynamics, lead to conceptual difficulties of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen type. The results imply that one has to abandon either the concept of strict causality, which would make conventional quantum electrodynamics self-inconsistent, or the concept of an objective reality independent of the observer, which has far-reaching philosophical consequences. In terms of absorber theory, on the other thand, there is no need to abandon objective reality and, in fact, such an experiment is directly interpretable as an example of the manifestation of the future on the past, which is the important distinguishing feature of absorber theory.
This paper discusses the nature of the boundary condition applying to the direct-action theory of fields, also known as the 'absorber' theory, first developed in a classical version by Wheeler and Feynman. The traditional understanding of these authors and others who followed is that the direct-action theory requires that 'all emitted radiation be absorbed,' or that 'the universe is a perfect (or complete) of absorber of radiation,' implying the need for a specific sort of cosmological boundary condition that may or may not obtain in our universe. It is pointed out that this interpretation requires critical scrutiny even at the classical level, and in any case does not apply to the fully quantum form of the direct-action theory (QDAT), which involves discrete energy transfers by way of photons. In the latter case, the absorption boundary condition describes a specific interactive relationship between emitters and absorbers that is independent of cosmological boundary conditions. Thus, the quantum direct-action theory does not require any special cosmological boundary condition in order for it describe the physical world.
This essay intends to present a novel approach to the concept of "transaction" in quantum physics. Breaking with Cramer's original theory, the transaction is not connected to the simultaneously retarded and advanced spacetime propagation of classical fields, as in the spirit of Wheeler-Feynman electrodynamics. Instead, the transaction is seen as an archetypal structure intrinsic within the quantum formalism. The present approach is advantageous in that, while preserving the essential point of Cramer's theory, is also fully consistent with the standard quantum formalism. In particular, it has the advantage of avoiding the introduction of elements which are completely extraneous to quantum formalism (such as the propagation of real physical waves in four-dimensional spacetime, the phase difference between offer and confirmation waves which is necessary for the elimination of "tails", the echoing mechanism, etc.)