Contextual Approach to Quantum Theory

Dick J. Hoekzema

Andrei Yu. Khrennikov

Andrei Yu. Khrennikov

We develop a contextual measurement model (CMM) that is used for the clarification of the quantum foundations. This model matches Bohr's views on the role of experimental contexts. CMM is based on a contextual probability theory that is connected with generalized probability theory. CMM covers measurements in classical, quantum and semi-classical physics. The CMM formalism is illustrated by a few examples. We consider the CMM framing of classical probability, the von Neumann measurement theory and the quantum instrument theory. CMM can also be applied outside of physics, e.g. in cognition, decision-making and psychology, the so-called quantum-like modelling.

J. M. Burgers

Songyi Liu, Yongjun Wang, Baoshan Wang +1 more

Fully revealing the mathmatical structure of quantum contextuality is a significant task, while some known contextuality theories are only applicable for rank-1 projectors. That is because they adopt the observable-based definitions. This paper overcomes the challenges faced by some known contextuality theories by establishing an event-based contextuality theory with exclusive partial Boolean algebra, which is used to describe the contextual systems with local consistency and exclusivity principle. Our theory provides a precise mathematical framework for quantum contextuality, which can handle the scenarios composed of general projectors, and introduces a more complete contextuality hierarchy. We conclude that the Kochen-Specker contextuality is equivalent to the state-independent strong contextuality for finite dimensional quantum systems. Therefore, when considering both the strength and proportion of contextual quantum states, Kochen-Specker contextuality is the strongest.

Andrei Yu. Khrennikov

In this chapter the contextual measurement model (CMM) is employed forprobabilistic structuring of classical and quantum physics. We start with CMM framing of classical probability theory (Kolmogorov 1933) servingas the basis of classical statistical physics and thermodynamics. Then weconsider the von Neumann quantum measurement theory with observablesgiven by Hermitian operators and the state update of the projective typeand represent it as CMM. The quantum instrument theory is a generalizationof the von Neumann theory permitting state updates of the non-projectivetype and it also can be represented as CMM. We also show connectionof the generalized probability theory with the space of probability measureswith CMM. Finally, linear space representation for contextual probabilityspace is constructed by using the construction going back to Mackey.