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-Uspekhi

On David Bohm’s ‘pilot-wave’ concept

Aleksandr V. Belinsky

Published Nov 23, 2018• 10 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract We consider the interpretation of quantum mechanics on the basis of the so-called ‘pilot-wave’ concept from the point of view of its adequacy in the light of both already-realized and possible and gedanken experiments, including those that involve photons. It is shown that this concept, despite undoubtedly being useful, can hardly ensure compliance of quantum-theory predictions with the postulate that particle coordinates and velocities objectively exist, while splitting the wave function into empty and nonempty wave packets seems to contradict to the results of feasible experiments and their interpretations.

DOI
10.3367/ufne.2018.11.038479

Related papers

Is David Bohm’s Quantum Mechanics Interpretation Irrefutable?

Aleksandr V. Belinsky

The theoretical bases of the so-called “pilot-wave” concept interpretation of quantum mechanics, as well as the performed and possible experiments to test its adequacy are considered.

Moscow University Physics Bulletin•Jul 1, 2018•5 citations

When quantum mechanics becomes less weird

Youssef El Fidali

Abstract For about a century, physicists have been debating over the behavior of particles on a microscopic scale. Although the principle of the wave-particle duality is accepted in the scientific community, many experiments with puzzling results are still challenging quantum mechanics until now, such as the double slit experiment, entanglement, interferences of a single electron, or delayed choice quantum eraser. In this article, we shall bring forth explanations for some of these experiments. Unlike standard quantum mechanics (SQM) built by Schr¨odinger1 and P.Dirac2 which considers that the wave function is an abstract mathematical tool, our model takes up the concept of the pilot wave once initiated by physicists De Broglie and D.Bohm,3 who suggested that the wave associated to a quantum object has a real existence and that it is not simply a wave of probability. We shall discuss how this old-new conception of reality renders quantum mechanics ultimately less mysterious than it seems.

•Mar 14, 2023•0 citations

The (un)detectability of trajectories in pilot-wave theory

Johannes Fankhauser

Abstract Pilot wave theory endows particles with de nite positions at all times governed by deterministic dynamics. However, individual particle trajectories are generically undetectable by experiment. This idea might seem to be contested in light of two proposals: (1) So-called ‘weak velocity measurements’, allegedly detecting Bohmian trajectories by weakly probing a quantum system without essentially disturbing it, and (2) the so-called ‘surrealistic’ trajectories experiment which supposedly establishes a conflict between the ‘actual’ position of a particle and its position derived from pilot wave theory. Although both attempts shed light on the nature of Bohmian particles, neither constitute empirical or theoretical evidence in favour or against pilot wave theory. Both instances admit a straightforward standard quantum mechanical interpretation compatible with the predictions of Bohmian theories. It is concluded that the puzzles arise from the absence of a coherent account of what quantum mechanical measurements signify.

arXiv:2503.07694•Apr 1, 2025•0 citations

On the falsification of the pilot-wave interpretation of quantum mechanics and the meaning of the Born rule

Jakub M. Ratajczak

Quantum mechanics has lacked a widely recognized interpretation since its birth. Many of these are still under consideration because interpretations are tough or impossible to disprove experimentally. We show how to distinguish experimentally ones assuming tiny, localized particles from those postulating realistic, non-local wave functions. It is possible thanks to a recently developed model of optical transmittance of ultra-diluted gas. This model considers the influence of each gas particle wave function on transmitted light. Its quantitative predictions are not indifferent to the interpretation of quantum mechanics. We also refer to the results of a recent experiment founded on this theory. They are in line with the predictions, which suggests the correctness of the model. Such results, if confirmed, rule out interpretations of the type of pilot-wave. In the paper, we briefly explain both the experiment and the model it is founded on. We also discuss the meaning of the Born rule.

arXiv:2008.12124•Aug 26, 2020•0 citations

On the falsification of the pilot-wave interpretation of quantum mechanics

Jakub M. Ratajczak

Quantum mechanics has lacked a widely recognized interpretation since its birth. Many interpretations are under consideration because they are difficult to disprove experimentally. In this paper, we show that the results of a recent experiment go against one of them: the pilot-wave interpretation. This is because the key assumption of this interpretation, particle locality, contradicts the assumption of wave function nonlocality on which the experiment is founded. This is a rare example of a quantum model and an experiment not indifferent to the interpretation of quantum mechanics.

•Aug 26, 2020•0 citations

The de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave interpretation of quantum theory

Ward Struyve

In this thesis we study the de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave interpretation of quantum theory. We consider the domain of non-relativistic quantum theory, relativistic quantum theory and quantum field theory, and in each domain we consider the possibility of formulating a pilot-wave interpretation. For non-relativistic quantum theory a pilot-wave interpretation in terms of particle beables can readily be formulated. But this interpretation can in general not straightforwardly be generalized to relativistic wave equations. The problems which prevent us from devising a pilot-wave interpretation for relativistic wave equations also plague the standard quantum mechanical interpretation, where these problems led to the conception of quantum field theory. Therefore most of our attention is focussed on the construction of a pilot-wave interpretation for quantum field theory. We thereby favour the field beable approach, developed amongst others by Bohm, Hiley, Holland, Kaloyerou and Valentini. Although the field beable approach can be successfully applied to bosonic quantum field theory, it seems not straightforward to do so for fermionic quantum field theory.

arXiv:quant-ph/0506243•Jun 28, 2005•15 citations
Abstract We consider the interpretation of quantum mechanics on the basis of the so-called ‘pilot-wave’ concept from the point of view of its adequacy in the light of both already-realized and possible and gedanken experiments, including those that involve photons. It is shown that this concept, despite undoubtedly being useful, can hardly ensure compliance of quantum-theory predictions with the postulate that particle coordinates and velocities objectively exist, while splitting the wave function into empty and nonempty wave packets seems to contradict to the results of feasible experiments and their interpretations.
Abstract For about a century, physicists have been debating over the behavior of particles on a microscopic scale. Although the principle of the wave-particle duality is accepted in the scientific community, many experiments with puzzling results are still challenging quantum mechanics until now, such as the double slit experiment, entanglement, interferences of a single electron, or delayed choice quantum eraser. In this article, we shall bring forth explanations for some of these experiments. Unlike standard quantum mechanics (SQM) built by Schr¨odinger1 and P.Dirac2 which considers that the wave function is an abstract mathematical tool, our model takes up the concept of the pilot wave once initiated by physicists De Broglie and D.Bohm,3 who suggested that the wave associated to a quantum object has a real existence and that it is not simply a wave of probability. We shall discuss how this old-new conception of reality renders quantum mechanics ultimately less mysterious than it seems.
Abstract Pilot wave theory endows particles with de nite positions at all times governed by deterministic dynamics. However, individual particle trajectories are generically undetectable by experiment. This idea might seem to be contested in light of two proposals: (1) So-called ‘weak velocity measurements’, allegedly detecting Bohmian trajectories by weakly probing a quantum system without essentially disturbing it, and (2) the so-called ‘surrealistic’ trajectories experiment which supposedly establishes a conflict between the ‘actual’ position of a particle and its position derived from pilot wave theory. Although both attempts shed light on the nature of Bohmian particles, neither constitute empirical or theoretical evidence in favour or against pilot wave theory. Both instances admit a straightforward standard quantum mechanical interpretation compatible with the predictions of Bohmian theories. It is concluded that the puzzles arise from the absence of a coherent account of what quantum mechanical measurements signify.
Quantum mechanics has lacked a widely recognized interpretation since its birth. Many of these are still under consideration because interpretations are tough or impossible to disprove experimentally. We show how to distinguish experimentally ones assuming tiny, localized particles from those postulating realistic, non-local wave functions. It is possible thanks to a recently developed model of optical transmittance of ultra-diluted gas. This model considers the influence of each gas particle wave function on transmitted light. Its quantitative predictions are not indifferent to the interpretation of quantum mechanics. We also refer to the results of a recent experiment founded on this theory. They are in line with the predictions, which suggests the correctness of the model. Such results, if confirmed, rule out interpretations of the type of pilot-wave. In the paper, we briefly explain both the experiment and the model it is founded on. We also discuss the meaning of the Born rule.
Quantum mechanics has lacked a widely recognized interpretation since its birth. Many interpretations are under consideration because they are difficult to disprove experimentally. In this paper, we show that the results of a recent experiment go against one of them: the pilot-wave interpretation. This is because the key assumption of this interpretation, particle locality, contradicts the assumption of wave function nonlocality on which the experiment is founded. This is a rare example of a quantum model and an experiment not indifferent to the interpretation of quantum mechanics.
In this thesis we study the de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave interpretation of quantum theory. We consider the domain of non-relativistic quantum theory, relativistic quantum theory and quantum field theory, and in each domain we consider the possibility of formulating a pilot-wave interpretation. For non-relativistic quantum theory a pilot-wave interpretation in terms of particle beables can readily be formulated. But this interpretation can in general not straightforwardly be generalized to relativistic wave equations. The problems which prevent us from devising a pilot-wave interpretation for relativistic wave equations also plague the standard quantum mechanical interpretation, where these problems led to the conception of quantum field theory. Therefore most of our attention is focussed on the construction of a pilot-wave interpretation for quantum field theory. We thereby favour the field beable approach, developed amongst others by Bohm, Hiley, Holland, Kaloyerou and Valentini. Although the field beable approach can be successfully applied to bosonic quantum field theory, it seems not straightforward to do so for fermionic quantum field theory.