Challenging Mermin's perspective that ``correlations have physical reality; that which they correlate does not'' we argue that correlations and correlata are not fundamentally distinct. These are dual concepts depending on the tensor product decomposition defining subsystems. Since the same quantum states may be either entangled or separable, but with respect to alternative tensor product structures, a spatial correlation in one context can become a temporal correlatum in another, and vice versa. In consequence, 2-qubit states invariant under $V\otimes V$ can be either entangled or unentangled, in conflict with the well known uniqueness theorem about the singlet state, a fact with possible implications for the quantum measurement theory.Challenging Mermin's perspective that ``correlations have physical reality; that which they correlate does not'' we argue that correlations and correlata are not fundamentally distinct. These are dual concepts depending on the tensor product decomposition defining subsystems. Since the same quantum states may be either entangled or separable, but with respect to alternative tensor product structures, a spatial correlation in one context can become a temporal correlatum in another, and vice versa. In consequence, 2-qubit states invariant under $V\otimes V$ can be either entangled or unentangled, in conflict with the well known uniqueness theorem about the singlet state, a fact with possible implications for the quantum measurement theory.

arXiv:2311.13879Nov 23, 20230 citations

Epistemology and Probability

Arkady Plotnitsky

Springer eBooksOct 19, 200928 citations

Some problems in the interpretation of quantum mechanics

Philip R. Wallace

A number of books have appeared purporting to explain quantum mechanics to the general public. These books have put considerable emphasis on so-called quantum 'paradoxes', using them to portray the quantum theory as mysterious or 'spooky'. The author discusses these 'paradoxes' from a different viewpoint with the aim of demystifying the theory. Emphasis is shifted from an epistemological viewpoint (as exemplified by the 'probability interpretation') to an ontological one (the description of matter by physical fields). Difficulties in reconciling the probability interpretation with relativity are noted, and the importance of phase coherence, which is inadequately treated in the probability interpretation, is emphasised. In the light of such as approach, the 'paradoxes' are resolved.A number of books have appeared purporting to explain quantum mechanics to the general public. These books have put considerable emphasis on so-called quantum 'paradoxes', using them to portray the quantum theory as mysterious or 'spooky'. The author discusses these 'paradoxes' from a different viewpoint with the aim of demystifying the theory. Emphasis is shifted from an epistemological viewpoint (as exemplified by the 'probability interpretation') to an ontological one (the description of matter by physical fields). Difficulties in reconciling the probability interpretation with relativity are noted, and the importance of phase coherence, which is inadequately treated in the probability interpretation, is emphasised. In the light of such as approach, the 'paradoxes' are resolved.

European Journal of PhysicsJul 1, 19900 citations

V\otimes V

can be either entangled or unentangled, in conflict with the well known uniqueness theorem about the singlet state, a fact with possible implications for the quantum measurement theory.