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

Communications in Theoretical Physics

Quantum Measurement and Extended Feynman Path Integral

Wei Wen, Yan-Kui Bai

Published Jun 1, 2012• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum measurement problem has existed many years and inspired a large of literature in both physics and philosophy, but there is still no conclusion and consensus on it. We show it can be subsumed into the quantum theory if we extend the Feynman path integral by considering the relativistic effect of Feynman paths. According to this extended theory, we deduce not only the Klein-Gordon equation, but also the wave-function-collapse equation. It is shown that the stochastic and instantaneous collapse of the quantum measurement is due to the “potential noise" of the apparatus or environment and “inner correlation" of wave function respectively. Therefore, the definite-status of the macroscopic matter is due to itself and this does not disobey the quantum mechanics. This work will give a new recognition for the measurement problem.

DOI
10.1088/0253-6102/57/6/07

Related papers

Path integral and wave function collapse

Wei Wen

Quantum measurement problem is still unconsensus since it has existed many years and inspired a large of literature in physics and philosophy. We show it can be subsumed into the quantum theory if we extend the Feynman path integral by considering the relativistic effect of Feynman paths. According to this extended theory, we deduce not only the Klein-Gordon equation, but also the wave-function-collapse equation. It is showing that the stochastic and instantaneous collapse of the quantum measurement is due to the "potential noise" of the apparatus or environment and "inner correlation" of wave function respectively. Therefore, the definite-status of the macroscopic matter is due to itself and this does not disobey the quantum mechanics. This work will give a new recognition for the measurement problem.

arXiv:1008.2413•Aug 14, 2010•0 citations

Relativistic Path-Integral Origin of the Dirac Equation, Quantum Collapse, Decoherence and Non-Hermitian Phenomena

Wen, Wei

Relativity and quantum mechanics are two cornerstones of modern physics, yet their unification within a single-particle path integral and a dynamical explanation of quantum measurement remain unresolved. Historically, these two problems have been treated as separate, but here we show they are intimately linked. We construct a self-consistent relativistic path integral that yields the Dirac and other standard wave equations under differetialable potentials. More importantly, we find that this propagator contains a latent, nonlocal correlation that is activated by realistic electromagnetic noise. This correlation unifies unitary evolution and wave-function collapse into a single dynamical mechanism: while differentiable potentials preserve unitary driving, nondifferentiable noise activates a bounded-martingale stochastic process that induces collapse. We show that the characteristics of quantum measurement are naturally derived from this stochastic dynamical process, thereby turning the axioms of quantum measurement from postulates into dynamical consequences. Furthermore, averaging this stochastic evolution over the noise record recovers the Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad (GKSL) master equation, providing a first-principles derivation of decoherence free from the method of Born-Markov approximation. Extending this approach to composite systems establishes a stochastic foundation for effective non-Hermitian descriptions while preserving relativistic causality. Finally, because the noise spectrum governs the collapse process, engineering ``colored'' noise can actively accelerate or steer state reduction, suggesting new routes toward fast qubit reset and enhanced quantum control.

arXiv:2509.19377•Sep 20, 2025•0 citations

Continuous Quantum Measurements and Path Integrals

Michael B. Mensky

Advances in technology are taking the accuracy of macroscopic as well as microscopic measurements close to the quantum limit, for example, in the attempts to detect gravitational waves. Interest in continuous quantum measurements has therefore grown considerably in recent years. Continuous Quantum Measurements and Path Integrals examines these measurements using Feynman path integrals. The path integral theory is developed to provide formulae for concrete physical effects. The main conclusion drawn from the theory is that an uncertainty principle exists for processes, in addition to the familiar one for states. This implies that a continuous measurement has an optimal accuracy-a balance between inefficient error and large quantum fluctuations (quantum noise). A well-known expert in the field, the author concentrates on the physical and conceptual side of the subject rather than the mathematical.

CRC Press eBooks•Oct 19, 2017•68 citations

Stochastic Quantum Potential Noise and Quantum Measurement

Wei Wen

Quantum measurement is the greatest problem in quantum theory. In fact, different views for the quantum measurement cause different schools of thought in quantum theory. The quandaries of quantum measurement are mainly concentrated in “stochastic measurement space”, “instantaneous measurement process” and “basis-preferred measurement space.” These quandaries are incompatible with classical physical laws and discussed many years but still unsolved. In this chapter, we introduce a new theory that provided a new scope to interpret the quantum measurement. This theory tells us the quandaries of quantum measurement are due to the nonlocal correlation and stochastic quantum potential noise. The quantum collapse had been completed by the noised world before we looked, and the moon is here independent of our observations.

InTech eBooks•May 30, 2018•0 citations

Collapse of the Wave Function

Dorje C. Brody, Lane P. Hughston

This is the first single volume about the collapse theories of quantum mechanics, which is becoming a very active field of research in both physics and philosophy. In standard quantum mechanics, it is postulated that when the wave function of a quantum system is measured, it no longer follows the Schrödinger equation, but instantaneously and randomly collapses to one of the wave functions that correspond to definite measurement results. However, why and how a definite measurement result appears is unknown. A promising solution to this problem are collapse theories in which the collapse of the wave function is spontaneous and dynamical. Chapters written by distinguished physicists and philosophers of physics discuss the origin and implications of wave-function collapse, the controversies around collapse models and their ontologies, and new arguments for the reality of wave function collapse. This is an invaluable resource for students and researchers interested in the philosophy of physics and foundations of quantum mechanics.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Apr 20, 2018•12 citations

Scheme of a Derivation of Collapse from Quantum Dynamics

Roland L. Omnes

Two categories of results regarding quantum measurements are derived in this work and applied to the problem of collapse. The first category is concerned with local and transient features of the entanglement between a macroscopic measuring system and a measured one. These properties result directly from the Schrödinger equation. They cannot be formulated in terms of observables, do not affect the wave functions themselves but express their history in an irreversible way. They carry a specific new kind of local probabilities, which evolve with a finite velocity under nonlinear wave equations. The second category of results extends these local properties to the case of a macroscopic system and its environment. Fluctuations in their interaction are predicted then and generate a specific incoherence in the quantum state of the system. These two kinds of effects act together when a macroscopic measuring system interacts with a measured system and with an environment. Their combination yields then an explicit and effective mechanism of collapse, with a random behavior resulting from random incoherence. Born's basic probability rule for the results of measurements turns out then simply a consequence of quantum dynamics. Some conjectures still enter into the derivation of these effects, which one may recognize to look hardly credible at first sight. They fit however so well together that one proposes a more thorough investigation of their approach as a promising strategy for a self-contained explanation of collapse.

arXiv:1601.01214•Jan 6, 2016•0 citations
Quantum measurement problem has existed many years and inspired a large of literature in both physics and philosophy, but there is still no conclusion and consensus on it. We show it can be subsumed into the quantum theory if we extend the Feynman path integral by considering the relativistic effect of Feynman paths. According to this extended theory, we deduce not only the Klein-Gordon equation, but also the wave-function-collapse equation. It is shown that the stochastic and instantaneous collapse of the quantum measurement is due to the “potential noise" of the apparatus or environment and “inner correlation" of wave function respectively. Therefore, the definite-status of the macroscopic matter is due to itself and this does not disobey the quantum mechanics. This work will give a new recognition for the measurement problem.
Quantum measurement problem is still unconsensus since it has existed many years and inspired a large of literature in physics and philosophy. We show it can be subsumed into the quantum theory if we extend the Feynman path integral by considering the relativistic effect of Feynman paths. According to this extended theory, we deduce not only the Klein-Gordon equation, but also the wave-function-collapse equation. It is showing that the stochastic and instantaneous collapse of the quantum measurement is due to the "potential noise" of the apparatus or environment and "inner correlation" of wave function respectively. Therefore, the definite-status of the macroscopic matter is due to itself and this does not disobey the quantum mechanics. This work will give a new recognition for the measurement problem.
Relativity and quantum mechanics are two cornerstones of modern physics, yet their unification within a single-particle path integral and a dynamical explanation of quantum measurement remain unresolved. Historically, these two problems have been treated as separate, but here we show they are intimately linked. We construct a self-consistent relativistic path integral that yields the Dirac and other standard wave equations under differetialable potentials. More importantly, we find that this propagator contains a latent, nonlocal correlation that is activated by realistic electromagnetic noise. This correlation unifies unitary evolution and wave-function collapse into a single dynamical mechanism: while differentiable potentials preserve unitary driving, nondifferentiable noise activates a bounded-martingale stochastic process that induces collapse. We show that the characteristics of quantum measurement are naturally derived from this stochastic dynamical process, thereby turning the axioms of quantum measurement from postulates into dynamical consequences. Furthermore, averaging this stochastic evolution over the noise record recovers the Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad (GKSL) master equation, providing a first-principles derivation of decoherence free from the method of Born-Markov approximation. Extending this approach to composite systems establishes a stochastic foundation for effective non-Hermitian descriptions while preserving relativistic causality. Finally, because the noise spectrum governs the collapse process, engineering ``colored'' noise can actively accelerate or steer state reduction, suggesting new routes toward fast qubit reset and enhanced quantum control.
Advances in technology are taking the accuracy of macroscopic as well as microscopic measurements close to the quantum limit, for example, in the attempts to detect gravitational waves. Interest in continuous quantum measurements has therefore grown considerably in recent years. Continuous Quantum Measurements and Path Integrals examines these measurements using Feynman path integrals. The path integral theory is developed to provide formulae for concrete physical effects. The main conclusion drawn from the theory is that an uncertainty principle exists for processes, in addition to the familiar one for states. This implies that a continuous measurement has an optimal accuracy-a balance between inefficient error and large quantum fluctuations (quantum noise). A well-known expert in the field, the author concentrates on the physical and conceptual side of the subject rather than the mathematical.
Quantum measurement is the greatest problem in quantum theory. In fact, different views for the quantum measurement cause different schools of thought in quantum theory. The quandaries of quantum measurement are mainly concentrated in “stochastic measurement space”, “instantaneous measurement process” and “basis-preferred measurement space.” These quandaries are incompatible with classical physical laws and discussed many years but still unsolved. In this chapter, we introduce a new theory that provided a new scope to interpret the quantum measurement. This theory tells us the quandaries of quantum measurement are due to the nonlocal correlation and stochastic quantum potential noise. The quantum collapse had been completed by the noised world before we looked, and the moon is here independent of our observations.
This is the first single volume about the collapse theories of quantum mechanics, which is becoming a very active field of research in both physics and philosophy. In standard quantum mechanics, it is postulated that when the wave function of a quantum system is measured, it no longer follows the Schrödinger equation, but instantaneously and randomly collapses to one of the wave functions that correspond to definite measurement results. However, why and how a definite measurement result appears is unknown. A promising solution to this problem are collapse theories in which the collapse of the wave function is spontaneous and dynamical. Chapters written by distinguished physicists and philosophers of physics discuss the origin and implications of wave-function collapse, the controversies around collapse models and their ontologies, and new arguments for the reality of wave function collapse. This is an invaluable resource for students and researchers interested in the philosophy of physics and foundations of quantum mechanics.
Two categories of results regarding quantum measurements are derived in this work and applied to the problem of collapse. The first category is concerned with local and transient features of the entanglement between a macroscopic measuring system and a measured one. These properties result directly from the Schrödinger equation. They cannot be formulated in terms of observables, do not affect the wave functions themselves but express their history in an irreversible way. They carry a specific new kind of local probabilities, which evolve with a finite velocity under nonlinear wave equations. The second category of results extends these local properties to the case of a macroscopic system and its environment. Fluctuations in their interaction are predicted then and generate a specific incoherence in the quantum state of the system. These two kinds of effects act together when a macroscopic measuring system interacts with a measured system and with an environment. Their combination yields then an explicit and effective mechanism of collapse, with a random behavior resulting from random incoherence. Born's basic probability rule for the results of measurements turns out then simply a consequence of quantum dynamics. Some conjectures still enter into the derivation of these effects, which one may recognize to look hardly credible at first sight. They fit however so well together that one proposes a more thorough investigation of their approach as a promising strategy for a self-contained explanation of collapse.