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

Physics Essays

Shut yourself up below decks…

Bruno Cocciaro

Published Dec 30, 2013• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The principle of relativity, as originally expressed by Galileo, points out that the area of competence of the principle itself is that of isolated systems as well as inertial reference frames. The principle does not claim that it is always possible to isolate any physical system; indeed it leaves it open to the possibility of the existence of phenomena concerning nonisolable physical systems, e.g., phenomena regulated by some nondraggable ether. After the Aspect experiment realist and local models have been proposed specifically based on the hypothesis that entangled systems are not isolated. It is hypothesized that the correlations which allow the violation of Bell's inequality are due to exchanges of superluminal signals between the various parts of the system, and those signals do not generate causal paradoxes because their propagation is regulated by a nondraggable ether. In the present paper the perfect compatibility of such models with the relativity theory is strongly advocated. A criterion is finally proposed to determine the causal ordering between events since, when there are superluminal signals, that ordering can no longer be associated to the time ordering induced by the standard synchronization.

DOI
10.4006/0836-1398-26.4.531

Related papers

Riserratevi sotto coverta ...

Bruno Cocciaro

The principle of relativity, as originally expressed by Galileo, points out that the area of competence of the principle itself is that of isolated systems as well as inertial reference frames. The principle does not claim that it is always possible to isolate any physical system, indeed it leaves it open to the possibility of the existence of phenomena concerning non isolable physical systems, e.g. phenomena regulated by some non draggable ether. After the Aspect experiment realist and local models have been proposed specifically based on the hypothesis that entangled systems are not isolated. It is hypothesized that the correlations which allow the violation of Bell's inequality are due to exchanges of superluminal signals between the various parts of the system and those signals do not generate causal paradoxes because their propagation is regulated by a non draggable ether. In the present paper the perfect compatibility of such models with the relativity theory is strongly advocated. A criterion is finally proposed to determine the causal ordering between events since, when there are superluminal signals, that ordering can no longer be associated to the time ordering induced by the standard synchronization.

arXiv:1209.3685•Sep 13, 2012•0 citations

The principle of relativity, superluminality and EPR experiments. "Riserratevi sotto coverta ..."

Bruno Cocciaro

The principle of relativity claims the invariance of the results for experiments carried out in inertial reference frames if the system under examination is not in interaction with the outside world. In this paper it is analysed a model suggested by J. S. Bell, and later developed by P. H. Eberhard, D. Bohm and B. Hiley on the basis of which the EPR correlations would be due to superluminal exchanges between the various parts of the entangled system under examination. In the model the existence of a privileged reference frame ( PF ) for the propagation of superluminal signals is hypothesized so that these superluminal signals may not give rise to causal paradoxes. According to this model, in an EPR experiment, the entangled system interacts with the outer world since the result of the experiment depends on an entity (the reference frame PF ) that is not prepared by the experimenter. The existence of this privileged reference frame makes the model non invariant for Lorentz transformations. In this paper, in opposition to what claimed by the authors mentioned above, the perfect compatibility of the model with the theory of relativity is strongly maintained since, as already said, the principle of relativity does not require that the results of experiments carried out on systems interacting with the outside world should be invariant.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Jul 3, 2015•3 citations

Quantum Entanglement and Special Relativity: A Possible Solution to the Paradox?

Yoram Kirsh

Demonstrations of quantum entanglement which confirm the violation of Bell's inequality indicate that under certain conditions action at a distance is possible. This consequence seems to contradict the relativistic principle of causality, which asserts that an effect never precedes its cause, in any reference frame. By analyzing a numerical example of Bell's experiment with entangled pairs of photons, we show how observers in two inertial reference frames can disagree about the causality relation between two events. One observer claims that event 1 is the cause of event 2, while the other claims that event 1 is the result of event 2. The solution we suggest to the paradox is that in entangled systems, one can find pairs of "entangled events" which have symmetrical causality relations. Each of the events can serve as a cause or as an effect, depending on the frame of reference in which they are observed.

arXiv:1811.00378•Oct 29, 2018•0 citations

LOCAL CAUSALITY AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF QUANTUM MECHANICS

Robert S. Goldstein

Quantum mechanics implies the existence of correlations which cannot be described by any local theory. These nonlocal correlations possibly suggest the existence of particles traveling faster than light (tachyons). But the potential paradoxes associated with their existence imply that, even i f these tachyons do exist, it should not be possible to control them in a manner necessary for human superluminal (faster than light) communication. Indeed, the unitary nature of the time development operator precludes the possibility of using non-local correlations to communicate superluminally within the quantum formalism. A simplified model which preserves unitary time development i s shown to be useful in studying 'thought experiments' which appear init ially to allow for superluminal communication. The consistency of quantum mechanics is questioned when measurements of retarded fields are considered. I f certain idealized measurements are possible in principle, then the quantum formalism appears inconsistent. I f the measurements are not possible in principle, then 'state reduct ion' (non-unitary time evolution of the state operator) in a pragmatic sense can be said to have occurred. The suggestion that tachyons be used to explain the non-local correlations i s abandoned in favor of another model whose philosophy is supported by the tenets of relativity theory. Such a model may imply the existence of a more general quantum theory where a quantum system itself can be taken as a (generalized) frame of reference.

•Jan 1, 1987•0 citations

Perspective Chapter: On the Contradiction between Special Relativity and Quantum Entanglement

Yoram Kirsh

Demonstrations of quantum entanglement (QE), which confirm the violation of Bell’s inequality, indicate that under certain conditions action at a distance is possible. This consequence seems to contradict the relativistic principle of causality, which asserts that an effect never precedes its cause, in any reference frame. By analyzing a numerical example of Bell’s experiment with entangled pairs of photons, we show how observers in two inertial reference frames can disagree about the causality relation between two events. One observer claims that event 1 is the cause of event 2, while the other claims that event 1 is the result of event 2. The solution we suggest to the paradox is that in entangled systems, one can find pairs of “entangled events” which have symmetrical causality relations. Each of the events can serve as a cause or as an effect, depending on the frame of reference in which they are observed.

IntechOpen eBooks•Jul 31, 2023•0 citations

The standard no-signalling constraints in Bell scenarios are neither sufficient nor necessary for preventing superluminal signalling with general interventions

V. Vilasini, Roger Colbeck

Non-classical correlations resulting from entangled quantum systems have sparked debates about the compatibility of quantum theory and relativity, and about the right way to think about causation. Key to a causal theory is that superluminal signalling is forbidden, which holds in quantum theory. In Bell scenarios, relativistic causality principles like no superluminal signalling are often assumed to follow from the standard no-signalling constraints on correlations. We explore the connections between a range of relativistic principles, including no superluminal signalling and no causal loops, and constraints on correlations that can arise with arbitrary interventions, within multi-party Bell scenarios. This includes standard no-signalling conditions and proposed relaxations allowing phenomena like jamming, where it was suggested that superluminal signalling and causal loops remain impossible. Using our recent framework combining relativistic principles with causal modelling, we show that any theory (classical or non-classical) allowing jamming must rely on causal fine-tuning and superluminal causal influences. Additionally, we show that jamming theories can lead to superluminal signalling in certain situations, highlighting limitations for their physicality. However, we identify cases where jamming correlations avoid superluminal signalling under general interventions, demonstrating that standard no-signalling constraints are not necessary for this purpose. We also show that these constraints are insufficient to rule out superluminal signalling and are neither necessary nor sufficient for ensuring no causal loops under general interventions. Finally, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for ruling out superluminal signalling and operationally detectable causal loops, solidifying our understanding of relativistic causality principles in information processing tasks in space-time.

arXiv:2311.18465•Nov 30, 2023•0 citations
The principle of relativity, as originally expressed by Galileo, points out that the area of competence of the principle itself is that of isolated systems as well as inertial reference frames. The principle does not claim that it is always possible to isolate any physical system; indeed it leaves it open to the possibility of the existence of phenomena concerning nonisolable physical systems, e.g., phenomena regulated by some nondraggable ether. After the Aspect experiment realist and local models have been proposed specifically based on the hypothesis that entangled systems are not isolated. It is hypothesized that the correlations which allow the violation of Bell's inequality are due to exchanges of superluminal signals between the various parts of the system, and those signals do not generate causal paradoxes because their propagation is regulated by a nondraggable ether. In the present paper the perfect compatibility of such models with the relativity theory is strongly advocated. A criterion is finally proposed to determine the causal ordering between events since, when there are superluminal signals, that ordering can no longer be associated to the time ordering induced by the standard synchronization.
The principle of relativity, as originally expressed by Galileo, points out that the area of competence of the principle itself is that of isolated systems as well as inertial reference frames. The principle does not claim that it is always possible to isolate any physical system, indeed it leaves it open to the possibility of the existence of phenomena concerning non isolable physical systems, e.g. phenomena regulated by some non draggable ether. After the Aspect experiment realist and local models have been proposed specifically based on the hypothesis that entangled systems are not isolated. It is hypothesized that the correlations which allow the violation of Bell's inequality are due to exchanges of superluminal signals between the various parts of the system and those signals do not generate causal paradoxes because their propagation is regulated by a non draggable ether. In the present paper the perfect compatibility of such models with the relativity theory is strongly advocated. A criterion is finally proposed to determine the causal ordering between events since, when there are superluminal signals, that ordering can no longer be associated to the time ordering induced by the standard synchronization.
The principle of relativity claims the invariance of the results for experiments carried out in inertial reference frames if the system under examination is not in interaction with the outside world. In this paper it is analysed a model suggested by J. S. Bell, and later developed by P. H. Eberhard, D. Bohm and B. Hiley on the basis of which the EPR correlations would be due to superluminal exchanges between the various parts of the entangled system under examination. In the model the existence of a privileged reference frame ( PF ) for the propagation of superluminal signals is hypothesized so that these superluminal signals may not give rise to causal paradoxes. According to this model, in an EPR experiment, the entangled system interacts with the outer world since the result of the experiment depends on an entity (the reference frame PF ) that is not prepared by the experimenter. The existence of this privileged reference frame makes the model non invariant for Lorentz transformations. In this paper, in opposition to what claimed by the authors mentioned above, the perfect compatibility of the model with the theory of relativity is strongly maintained since, as already said, the principle of relativity does not require that the results of experiments carried out on systems interacting with the outside world should be invariant.
Demonstrations of quantum entanglement which confirm the violation of Bell's inequality indicate that under certain conditions action at a distance is possible. This consequence seems to contradict the relativistic principle of causality, which asserts that an effect never precedes its cause, in any reference frame. By analyzing a numerical example of Bell's experiment with entangled pairs of photons, we show how observers in two inertial reference frames can disagree about the causality relation between two events. One observer claims that event 1 is the cause of event 2, while the other claims that event 1 is the result of event 2. The solution we suggest to the paradox is that in entangled systems, one can find pairs of "entangled events" which have symmetrical causality relations. Each of the events can serve as a cause or as an effect, depending on the frame of reference in which they are observed.
Quantum mechanics implies the existence of correlations which cannot be described by any local theory. These nonlocal correlations possibly suggest the existence of particles traveling faster than light (tachyons). But the potential paradoxes associated with their existence imply that, even i f these tachyons do exist, it should not be possible to control them in a manner necessary for human superluminal (faster than light) communication. Indeed, the unitary nature of the time development operator precludes the possibility of using non-local correlations to communicate superluminally within the quantum formalism. A simplified model which preserves unitary time development i s shown to be useful in studying 'thought experiments' which appear init ially to allow for superluminal communication. The consistency of quantum mechanics is questioned when measurements of retarded fields are considered. I f certain idealized measurements are possible in principle, then the quantum formalism appears inconsistent. I f the measurements are not possible in principle, then 'state reduct ion' (non-unitary time evolution of the state operator) in a pragmatic sense can be said to have occurred. The suggestion that tachyons be used to explain the non-local correlations i s abandoned in favor of another model whose philosophy is supported by the tenets of relativity theory. Such a model may imply the existence of a more general quantum theory where a quantum system itself can be taken as a (generalized) frame of reference.
Demonstrations of quantum entanglement (QE), which confirm the violation of Bell’s inequality, indicate that under certain conditions action at a distance is possible. This consequence seems to contradict the relativistic principle of causality, which asserts that an effect never precedes its cause, in any reference frame. By analyzing a numerical example of Bell’s experiment with entangled pairs of photons, we show how observers in two inertial reference frames can disagree about the causality relation between two events. One observer claims that event 1 is the cause of event 2, while the other claims that event 1 is the result of event 2. The solution we suggest to the paradox is that in entangled systems, one can find pairs of “entangled events” which have symmetrical causality relations. Each of the events can serve as a cause or as an effect, depending on the frame of reference in which they are observed.
Non-classical correlations resulting from entangled quantum systems have sparked debates about the compatibility of quantum theory and relativity, and about the right way to think about causation. Key to a causal theory is that superluminal signalling is forbidden, which holds in quantum theory. In Bell scenarios, relativistic causality principles like no superluminal signalling are often assumed to follow from the standard no-signalling constraints on correlations. We explore the connections between a range of relativistic principles, including no superluminal signalling and no causal loops, and constraints on correlations that can arise with arbitrary interventions, within multi-party Bell scenarios. This includes standard no-signalling conditions and proposed relaxations allowing phenomena like jamming, where it was suggested that superluminal signalling and causal loops remain impossible. Using our recent framework combining relativistic principles with causal modelling, we show that any theory (classical or non-classical) allowing jamming must rely on causal fine-tuning and superluminal causal influences. Additionally, we show that jamming theories can lead to superluminal signalling in certain situations, highlighting limitations for their physicality. However, we identify cases where jamming correlations avoid superluminal signalling under general interventions, demonstrating that standard no-signalling constraints are not necessary for this purpose. We also show that these constraints are insufficient to rule out superluminal signalling and are neither necessary nor sufficient for ensuring no causal loops under general interventions. Finally, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for ruling out superluminal signalling and operationally detectable causal loops, solidifying our understanding of relativistic causality principles in information processing tasks in space-time.