We examine the issue of the Heisenberg-von Neumann cut in light of recent interpretations of quantum eraser experiments which indicate the possibility of a universal Observer outside space-time at an information level of existence. The delayed-choice aspects of observation, measurement, the role of the observer, and information in the quantum framework of the universe are discussed. While traditional double-slit experiments are usually interpreted as indicating that the collapse of the wave function involves choices by an individual observer in space-time, the extension to quantum eraser experiments brings in some additional subtle aspects relating to the role of observation and what constitutes an observer. Access to, and the interpretation of, information outside space and time may be involved. This directly ties to the question of where the Heisenberg-von Neumann cut is located and what its nature is. Our model is an interpretation which we term the Enhanced Orthodox Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. It does not contradict the standard orthodox interpretation, but we believe it extends it by approaching von Neumann’s work in a new way. The Enhanced Orthodox Interpretation accepts the presence of a universal Observer, retaining the importance of observation augmented by the role of information. There is a possibility that individual observers making choices in space and time are actually aspects of the universal Observer, a state masked by assumptions about individual human minds that may need further development and re-examination.
We examine the issue of the Heisenberg-von Neumann cut in light of recent interpretations of quantum eraser experiments which indicate the possibility of a universal Observer outside space-time at an information level of existence. The delayed-choice aspects of observation, measurement, the role of the observer, and information in the quantum framework of the universe are discussed. While traditional double-slit experiments are usually interpreted as indicating that the collapse of the wave function involves choices by an individual observer in space-time, the extension to quantum eraser experiments brings in some additional subtle aspects relating to the role of observation and what constitutes an observer. Access to, and the interpretation of, information outside space and time may be involved. This directly ties to the question of where the Heisenberg-von Neumann cut is located and what its nature is. Our model is an interpretation which we term the Enhanced Orthodox Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. It does not contradict the standard orthodox interpretation, but we believe it extends it by approaching von Neumann’s work in a new way. The Enhanced Orthodox Interpretation accepts the presence of a universal Observer, retaining the importance of observation augmented by the role of information. There is a possibility that individual observers making choices in space and time are actually aspects of the universal Observer, a state masked by assumptions about individual human minds that may need further development and re-examination.
The Orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics, which followed the Copenhagen Interpretation but was enhanced by primarily Werner Heisenberg and John von Neumann into a fully developed theory, brought in, among others, the role of measurement, available choices and response of the quantum system.It is, more consistent and clear than other interpretations of quantum mechanics as it provides account of the interactions of observers with the external world.As such, the Orthodox interpretation does a lot more than just account for physical interactions in the atomic world, which was the original goal of quantum mechanics in the early part of the twentieth century.In this article we present several issues that may have been answered or need further development, such as measurement and observation, what is Nature and who the observer is.Extending Orthodox quantum mechanics, leading to universal non-dual Awareness may provide a consistent and integrated view of reality and is consistent with advances in mathematical theory.An issue of paramount importance is what are the philosophical underpinnings or ontological view of the quantum nature of the universe and the role of human minds, observations and choices.
We briefly review the Copenhagen Interpretation. The original Copenhagen Interpretation of approximately a century ago was enriched with the work of von Neumann and is now referred to as the Orthodox view. The issue of evolution of a quantum system in light of measuring process in this Orthodox interpretation has been extensively developed and a comprehensive thought system of understanding has been written by Stapp. In our view, an enhancement of the work to date allows for a novel understanding of the role of observation in quantum systems.
Abstract After the excellent agreement between the theory and experimental observations was established, many workers, partly in response to EPR, returned to consider the physical meaning of the theory. Several workers, e.g., London and Bauer, Wigner, and von Neumann, believed conscious observers played a key role. The failure to observe superposition states at the macroscopic level meant that superpositions had to be destroyed (collapse) at some level. This was called the Heisenberg or von Neumann cut and played a role in the interpretation. In more modern times David Bohm resuscitated de Broglie’s pilot wave theory and Hugh Everett proposed the “many worlds interpretation.” Other modern interpretation attempts include the theory of decoherence, promoted by Zurek, and spontaneous collapse theories. These discussions should be conducted in the framework of second quantization, the most refined form of the theory, which provides a solution to the 3N dimensional problem and insights into wave-particle duality.
An interpretation of quantum mechanics is presented in which there is one hidden variable. While this number of hidden variables is insufficient to explain Bell nonlocality, it can help solve the measurement problem. It also provides an explanation of the delayed choice quantum eraser experiment that is more intuitive than current explanations. In addition, a theory of nonlocality emerges directly from its assumptions. The key idea is that from the perspective of an outside observer, not correlated with an observed system, we treat all interactions within the system as unitary. However, from the perspective of an “observer” inside the system, we treat all new entanglements as “micro-measurements” and as a projection onto some basis of measurement. One particle can “measure” another. Thus, particles will have a defined value on one measurement basis from an inside perspective. This means that the wave function, from the outside view, will at times describe an objective uncertainty, at other times a subjective uncertainty and at yet other times a combination of both. The standard wave function describes the total uncertainty, the minimal uncertainty that is present for any observer outside of the system, while for an “observer” inside the system, only the objective part of the uncertainty remains, and this can be described by an inner wave function. The hidden variable is invisible to the outside observer.
An interpretation of quantum mechanics is presented in which there is one hidden variable. While this number of hidden variables is insufficient to explain Bell nonlocality, it can help solve the measurement problem. It also provides an explanation of the delayed choice quantum eraser experiment that is more intuitive than current explanations. In addition, a theory of nonlocality emerges directly from its assumptions. The key idea is that from the perspective of an outside observer, not correlated with an observed system, we treat all interactions within the system as unitary. However, from the perspective of an “observer” inside the system, we treat all new entanglements as “micro-measurements” and as a projection onto some basis of measurement. One particle can “measure” another. Thus, particles will have a defined value on one measurement basis from an inside perspective. This means that the wave function, from the outside view, will at times describe an objective uncertainty, at other times a subjective uncertainty and at yet other times a combination of both. The standard wave function describes the total uncertainty, the minimal uncertainty that is present for any observer outside of the system, while for an “observer” inside the system, only the objective part of the uncertainty remains, and this can be described by an inner wave function. The hidden variable is invisible to the outside observer.
An interpretation of quantum mechanics is presented in which there is one hidden variable. While this number of hidden variables is insufficient to explain Bell nonlocality it can help solve the measurement problem. It also provides an explanation of the delayed choice quantum eraser experiment that does not involve retroactive erasure of “which way” information and is more intuitive than current explanations. In addition, it offers a solution to the new Wigner’s friend paradox. The key idea is that from the perspective of an outside observer, not entangled with an observed system, we treat all interactions within the system as unitary. However, from the perspective of an “observer” inside the system, entangled with the system, we treat all new entanglements as “micro-observations” and as a projection onto some basis of measurement. One particle can “observe” another. Thus, particles will have a defined value on one measurement basis from the inside perspective. This means that the wave function, from the outside view, will at times describe an objective uncertainty, at other times a subjective uncertainty and at yet other times a combination of both. The wave function describes the total uncertainty, the minimal uncertainty that is present for any observer outside of the system, while for an observer inside the system, only the objective part of the uncertainty remains. The hidden variable is invisible to the outside observer.