Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

A Geometrical Model of Fermion Spin Correlations

Robert A. Close

Published Jan 1, 2012• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Bell's Theorem places limits on correlations between local spin measurements of entangled particles whose properties are described by hidden variables established prior to measurement. Bell's derivation assumes that the density of states, or sampling rate, is independent of the orientation of the measuring device. However, points on a rotating sphere are sampled at different rates at different positions, making Bell's Theorem inapplicable. We model spin one-half fermions as having a spherical distribution of observables with azimuthal symmetry, and assume that a Stern-Gerlach device uniformly samples points on a spherical surface. Application of Bayes' Theorem yields the joint density of states for two device orientations. Numerical calculations based on this model yield the fermion spin correlations observed in Stern-Gerlach experiments. c

Related papers

Disentanglement of a Singlet Spin State in a Coincidence Stern-Gerlach Device

Per-Olof Westlund, Håkan Wennerström

We analyze the spin coincidence experiment considered by Bell in the derivation of Bells theorem. We solve the equation of motion for the spin system with a spin Hamiltonian, Hz, where the magnetic field is only in the z-direction. For the specific case of the coincidence experiment where the two magnets have the same orientation the Hamiltonian Hz commutes with the total spin Iz, which thus emerges as a constant of the motion. Bells argument is then that an observation of spin up at one magnet A necessarily implies spin down at the other B. For an isolated spin system A-B with classical translational degrees of freedom and an initial spin singlet state there is no force on the spin particles A and B. The spins are fully entangled but none of the spin particles A or B are deflected by the Stern-Gerlach magnets. This result is not compatible with Bells assumption that spin 1/2 particles are deected in a Stern-Gerlach device. Assuming a more realistic Hamiltonian Hz + Hx including a gradient in x direction the total Iz is not conserved and fully entanglement is not expected in this case. The conclusion is that Bells theorem is not applicable to spin coincidence measurement originally discussed by Bell.

Journal of Modern Physics•Jan 1, 2019•1 citation

The Bell Theorem Revisited: Geometric Phases in Gauge Theories

David H. Oaknin

The Bell's theorem stands as an insuperable roadblock in the path to a very desired intuitive solution of the EPR paradox and, hence, it lies at the core of the current lack of a clear interpretation of the quantum formalism. The theorem states through an experimentally testable inequality that the predictions of quantum mechanics for the Bell's polarization states of two entangled particles cannot be reproduced by any statistical model of hidden variables that shares certain intuitive features. In this paper, we show, however, that the proof of the Bell's theorem involves a subtle, though crucial, assumption that is not required by fundamental physical principles and, hence, it is not necessarily fulfilled in the experimental setup that tests the inequality. Indeed, this assumption can neither be properly implemented within the standard framework of quantum mechanics. Namely, the proof of the theorem assumes that there exists a preferred absolute frame of reference, supposedly provided by the lab, which enables to compare the orientation of the polarization measurement devices for successive realizations of the experiment and, hence, to define jointly their response functions over the space of hypothetical hidden configurations for all their possible alternative settings. We notice, however, that only the relative orientation between the two measurement devices in every single realization of the experiment is a properly defined physical degree of freedom, while their global rigid orientation is a spurious gauge degree of freedom. Hence, the preferred frame of reference required by the proof of the Bell's theorem does not necessarily exist. In fact, it cannot exist in models in which the gauge symmetry of the experimental setup under global rigid rotations of the two detectors is spontaneously broken by the hidden configurations of the pair of entangled particles and a non-zero geometric phase appears under some cyclic gauge symmetry transformations. Following this observation, we build an explicitly local model of hidden variables that reproduces the predictions of quantum mechanics for the Bell's states.

arXiv:1912.06349•Frontiers in Physics•May 12, 2020•17 citations

On Stern–Gerlach coincidence measurements and their application to Bell's theorem

Håkan Wennerström, Per-Olof Westlund

We analyze a coincidence Stern-Gerlach measurement often discussed in connection with the derivation and illustration of Bell's theorem. The treatment is based on our recent analysis of the original Stern-Gerlach experiment (PCCP, 14, 1677‐1684 (2012)), where it is concluded that it is necessary to include a spin relaxation process to account for the experimental observations. We consider two limiting cases of a coincidence measurement using both an analytical and a numerical description. In on limit relaxation effects are neglected. In this case the correlation between the two spins present in the initial state is conserved during the passage through the magnets. However, at exit the z coordinate along the magnetic field gradient is randomly distributed between the two extreme values. In the other limit T2 relaxation is assumed to be fast relative to the time of flight through the magnet. In this case the z coordinate takes one of two possible values as observed in the original Stern‐Gerlach experiment. Due to the presence of a relaxation process involving transfer of angular momentum between particle and magnet the initially entangled spin state changes character leading to a loss of correlation between the two spins. In the original derivations of Bell's theorem based on a coincidence Stern‐Gerlach setup one assumes both a perfect correlation between the spins and only two possible values for the z‐coordinate on exit. According to the present calculations one can satisfy either of these conditions but not both simultaneously.

Physics Essays•Jun 1, 2013•6 citations

Local Measurements and Entangled States

Fariel Shafee

Abstract. In conformity with our previous work on the measurement process in quantum mechanics in terms of first passage random walks in Hilbert space through interactions with the measuring devices, we here consider the problem of measurement of entangled states at spatially separated measuring devices. We find that Bell’s inequality need not be an obstacle if the set of hidden variables include local ones, and we present a simple model that includes specific probability distributions of the source and local hidden variables, giving the quantum mechanical result for the expectation value of the spin-spin correlation for arbitrary orientations of the frames of measurement, which is known to violate Bell’s relation for chosen angles of orientation. Local measurements and entangled states 2 1.

arXiv:quant-ph/0512147•Dec 18, 2005•3 citations

A Geometrical Approach to Bell's Theorem

David Parry Rubincam

Bell's theorem can be proved through simple geometrical reasoning, without the need for the Psi function, probability distributions, or calculus. The proof is based on N. David Mermin's explication of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm experiment, which involves Stern-Gerlach detectors which flash red or green lights when detecting spin-up or spin-down. The statistics of local hidden variable theories for this experiment can be arranged in colored strips from which simple inequalities can be deduced. These inequalities lead to a demonstration of Bell's theorem. Moreover, all local hidden variable theories can be graphed in such a way as to enclose their statistics in a pyramid, with the quantum-mechanical result lying a finite distance beneath the base of the pyramid.

•Mar 31, 2000•0 citations

Stern–Gerlach, EPRB and Bell Inequalities: An Analysis Using the Quantum Hamilton Equations of Stochastic Mechanics

Michael Beyer, Wolfgang Paul

Abstract The discussion of the recently derived quantum Hamilton equations for a spinning particle is extended to spin measurement in a Stern–Gerlach experiment. We show that this theory predicts a continuously changing orientation of the particles magnetic moment over the course of its motion across the Stern–Gerlach apparatus. The final measurement results agree with experiment and with predictions of the Pauli equation. Furthermore, the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen–Bohm thought experiment is investigated, and the violation of Bells’s inequalities is reproduced within this stochastic mechanics approach. The origin of the violation of Bell’s inequalities is traced to the the non-local nature of the velocity fields for an entangled state in the stochastic formalism, which is a result of a non-separable probability distribution of the considered particles.

Foundations of Physics•Mar 14, 2024•1 citation
Bell's Theorem places limits on correlations between local spin measurements of entangled particles whose properties are described by hidden variables established prior to measurement. Bell's derivation assumes that the density of states, or sampling rate, is independent of the orientation of the measuring device. However, points on a rotating sphere are sampled at different rates at different positions, making Bell's Theorem inapplicable. We model spin one-half fermions as having a spherical distribution of observables with azimuthal symmetry, and assume that a Stern-Gerlach device uniformly samples points on a spherical surface. Application of Bayes' Theorem yields the joint density of states for two device orientations. Numerical calculations based on this model yield the fermion spin correlations observed in Stern-Gerlach experiments. c
We analyze the spin coincidence experiment considered by Bell in the derivation of Bells theorem. We solve the equation of motion for the spin system with a spin Hamiltonian, Hz, where the magnetic field is only in the z-direction. For the specific case of the coincidence experiment where the two magnets have the same orientation the Hamiltonian Hz commutes with the total spin Iz, which thus emerges as a constant of the motion. Bells argument is then that an observation of spin up at one magnet A necessarily implies spin down at the other B. For an isolated spin system A-B with classical translational degrees of freedom and an initial spin singlet state there is no force on the spin particles A and B. The spins are fully entangled but none of the spin particles A or B are deflected by the Stern-Gerlach magnets. This result is not compatible with Bells assumption that spin 1/2 particles are deected in a Stern-Gerlach device. Assuming a more realistic Hamiltonian Hz + Hx including a gradient in x direction the total Iz is not conserved and fully entanglement is not expected in this case. The conclusion is that Bells theorem is not applicable to spin coincidence measurement originally discussed by Bell.
The Bell's theorem stands as an insuperable roadblock in the path to a very desired intuitive solution of the EPR paradox and, hence, it lies at the core of the current lack of a clear interpretation of the quantum formalism. The theorem states through an experimentally testable inequality that the predictions of quantum mechanics for the Bell's polarization states of two entangled particles cannot be reproduced by any statistical model of hidden variables that shares certain intuitive features. In this paper, we show, however, that the proof of the Bell's theorem involves a subtle, though crucial, assumption that is not required by fundamental physical principles and, hence, it is not necessarily fulfilled in the experimental setup that tests the inequality. Indeed, this assumption can neither be properly implemented within the standard framework of quantum mechanics. Namely, the proof of the theorem assumes that there exists a preferred absolute frame of reference, supposedly provided by the lab, which enables to compare the orientation of the polarization measurement devices for successive realizations of the experiment and, hence, to define jointly their response functions over the space of hypothetical hidden configurations for all their possible alternative settings. We notice, however, that only the relative orientation between the two measurement devices in every single realization of the experiment is a properly defined physical degree of freedom, while their global rigid orientation is a spurious gauge degree of freedom. Hence, the preferred frame of reference required by the proof of the Bell's theorem does not necessarily exist. In fact, it cannot exist in models in which the gauge symmetry of the experimental setup under global rigid rotations of the two detectors is spontaneously broken by the hidden configurations of the pair of entangled particles and a non-zero geometric phase appears under some cyclic gauge symmetry transformations. Following this observation, we build an explicitly local model of hidden variables that reproduces the predictions of quantum mechanics for the Bell's states.
We analyze a coincidence Stern-Gerlach measurement often discussed in connection with the derivation and illustration of Bell's theorem. The treatment is based on our recent analysis of the original Stern-Gerlach experiment (PCCP, 14, 1677‐1684 (2012)), where it is concluded that it is necessary to include a spin relaxation process to account for the experimental observations. We consider two limiting cases of a coincidence measurement using both an analytical and a numerical description. In on limit relaxation effects are neglected. In this case the correlation between the two spins present in the initial state is conserved during the passage through the magnets. However, at exit the z coordinate along the magnetic field gradient is randomly distributed between the two extreme values. In the other limit T2 relaxation is assumed to be fast relative to the time of flight through the magnet. In this case the z coordinate takes one of two possible values as observed in the original Stern‐Gerlach experiment. Due to the presence of a relaxation process involving transfer of angular momentum between particle and magnet the initially entangled spin state changes character leading to a loss of correlation between the two spins. In the original derivations of Bell's theorem based on a coincidence Stern‐Gerlach setup one assumes both a perfect correlation between the spins and only two possible values for the z‐coordinate on exit. According to the present calculations one can satisfy either of these conditions but not both simultaneously.
Abstract. In conformity with our previous work on the measurement process in quantum mechanics in terms of first passage random walks in Hilbert space through interactions with the measuring devices, we here consider the problem of measurement of entangled states at spatially separated measuring devices. We find that Bell’s inequality need not be an obstacle if the set of hidden variables include local ones, and we present a simple model that includes specific probability distributions of the source and local hidden variables, giving the quantum mechanical result for the expectation value of the spin-spin correlation for arbitrary orientations of the frames of measurement, which is known to violate Bell’s relation for chosen angles of orientation. Local measurements and entangled states 2 1.
Bell's theorem can be proved through simple geometrical reasoning, without the need for the Psi function, probability distributions, or calculus. The proof is based on N. David Mermin's explication of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm experiment, which involves Stern-Gerlach detectors which flash red or green lights when detecting spin-up or spin-down. The statistics of local hidden variable theories for this experiment can be arranged in colored strips from which simple inequalities can be deduced. These inequalities lead to a demonstration of Bell's theorem. Moreover, all local hidden variable theories can be graphed in such a way as to enclose their statistics in a pyramid, with the quantum-mechanical result lying a finite distance beneath the base of the pyramid.
Abstract The discussion of the recently derived quantum Hamilton equations for a spinning particle is extended to spin measurement in a Stern–Gerlach experiment. We show that this theory predicts a continuously changing orientation of the particles magnetic moment over the course of its motion across the Stern–Gerlach apparatus. The final measurement results agree with experiment and with predictions of the Pauli equation. Furthermore, the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen–Bohm thought experiment is investigated, and the violation of Bells’s inequalities is reproduced within this stochastic mechanics approach. The origin of the violation of Bell’s inequalities is traced to the the non-local nature of the velocity fields for an entangled state in the stochastic formalism, which is a result of a non-separable probability distribution of the considered particles.