I will review the constraints that the no hidden variable theorems put on the interpretations of quantum mechanics and on the locality of the universe. I will also briefly explain how Bohm's theory gives a clear and objective meaning to the wave function and, at the same time, explains in the simplest possible way the most paradoxical aspects of quantum mechanics.
I will review the constraints that the no hidden variable theorems put on the interpretations of quantum mechanics and on the locality of the universe. I will also briefly explain how Bohm's theory gives a clear and objective meaning to the wave function and, at the same time, explains in the simplest possible way the most paradoxical aspects of quantum mechanics.
The wave function gives probabilities, but is it a real physical quantity, as in the ontic interpretation of quantum mechanics, or just a measure of human belief about a physical system, as in an epistemic interpretation? These questions are introduced by treating Schrödinger’s cat and Wigner’s friend. An important question is whether quantum mechanics applies to macroscopic objects, for example, cats. SQUID experiments have been performed that see quantum interference in very large objects, whereas with most macroscopic objects quantum interference disappears because of decoherence. Various views of the meaning of quantum mechanics are discussed: the Copenhagen interpretation, continuous spontaneous localization, Everett’s many-worlds interpretation, Bohm’s hidden-variable model, and quantum Bayesianism. The latter holds that the wave function represents one’s best belief about the state of a quantum system, rather than an actual physical property. This leads to discussions of recent theories and experiments explicitly designed to test wave function reality.
This is the introduction to the section on Quantum Mechanics in the centennial collection of noteworthy articles appearing in The Physical Review and Physical Review Letters through 1983, since it all began in 1893. The selections for this section are "Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Complete?" by Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen; Bohr's response, with the same title; Bohm's first hidden variables paper: "A Suggested Interpretation of the Quantum Theory in Terms of `Hidden' Variables. I"; Aharonov and Bohm's "Significance of Electromagnetic Potentials in the Quantum Theory"; and "Experimental Test of Bell's Inequalities Using Time-Varying Analyzers" by Aspect, Dalibard and Roger.
Quantum mechanics is an immensely successful theory, occupying a unique position in the history of science. It has solved mysteries ranging from macroscopic superconductivity to the microscopic theory of elementary particles and has provided deep insights into the nature of vacuum on the one hand and the description of the nucleon on the other. Whole new fields such as quantum optics and quantum electronics owe their very existence to this body of knowledge. However, despite the stunning successes of quantum mechanics, there is no general agreement on the conceptual foundations and interpretation of the subject. The theory provides unambiguous information about the outcome of a measurement of a physical object. However, many feel that it does not provide a satisfactory answer to the nature of the “reality” we should attribute to the physical objects between the acts of measurement. The conceptual difficulty comes about because the wave function |ψ〉 is usually given by a coherent superposition of various distinguishable experimental outcomes. If we denote the collection of states that represent the possible outcomes of an experiment by |ψ j 〉, then |ψ〉 = ∑ j c j |ψ j 〉 where c j = 〈ψ j |ψ〉. The probability of the outcome |ψ j 〉 is P j =|c j | 2 . In the process of measurement, the so called collapse of the wave function takes place and a single, definite state |ψ i 〉 of the physical object is chosen. The difficulty comes about in the interpretation of the mechanism by which this definite state is chosen from amongst all the possible outcomes.
We try to give a physical meaning to the wave function or quantum state of a system, apart from being a very efficient tool for predicting results of measurements on that system. In other words, we ask what does it mean for a system outside the laboratories to have a wave function? We first explain why two possible, and probably common, answers to that question do not really answer it. Then, we explain how the de Broglie – Bohm theory does give a satisfactory meaning to the quantum state outside the laboratories, while avoiding the problems faced by the other answers.
Heisenberg deduced the famous uncertainty principle which shows that there exist several conjugated quantities that can never be measured precisely at the same time. Further, Copenhagen interpretation gives a new perspective about quantum mechanics, which claims that particles do not have properties like position or momentum until people measure it. Hence, the famous EPR paradox was proposed to question the realism and locality of Quantum mechanics, which leads to the Hidden Variable explanation. However, this theorem was proved wrong by John Bell in 1964 with Bell Inequality. In addition, Hidden Variable Interpretation was developed by De Broglie and Bohm, they came up with the Bohmian Mechanics, which can be considered as Non-local Hidden Variable theorem. This interpretation gives physical meaning to waves. Unlike Copenhagen Interpretation, this theorem claims that particles do have a determined position. Some people may argue that it can be proved contradicted by using the Turing method (self-reference). Because if the algorithm represented by physics law described Hidden Mechanics to determine particles’ state, then the future is determined and predictable. Therefore, another algorithm can be established based on that, which will lead to “Liar Paradox”. This article will briefly introduce the uncertainty principle and some interpretations about quantum mechanics. Furthermore, this article will combine some ideas in Alan Turing’s Halting Problem to the universe of non-local hidden variables as a thought experiment, which involve self-reference, to give an interesting result of locality and determinism.
Since its inception Bohmian mechanics has been generally regarded as a hidden-variable theory aimed at providing an objective description of quantum phenomena. To date, this rather narrow conception of Bohm’s proposal has caused it more rejection than acceptance. Now, after 65 years of Bohmian mechanics, should still be such an interpretational aspect the prevailing appraisal? Why not favoring a more pragmatic view, as a legitimate picture of quantum mechanics, on equal footing in all respects with any other more conventional quantum picture? These questions are used here to introduce a discussion on an alternative way to deal with Bohmian mechanics at present, enhancing its aspect as an efficient and useful picture or formulation to tackle, explore, describe and explain quantum phenomena where phase and correlation ( entanglement ) are key elements. This discussion is presented through two complementary blocks. The first block is aimed at briefly revisiting the historical context that gave rise to the appearance of Bohmian mechanics, and how this approach or analogous ones have been used in different physical contexts. This discussion is used to emphasize a more pragmatic view to the detriment of the more conventional hidden-variable (ontological) approach that has been a leitmotif within the quantum foundations. The second block focuses on some particular formal aspects of Bohmian mechanics supporting the view presented here, with special emphasis on the physical meaning of the local phase field and the associated velocity field encoded within the wave function. As an illustration, a simple model of Young’s two-slit experiment is considered. The simplicity of this model allows to understand in an easy manner how the information conveyed by the Bohmian formulation relates to other more conventional concepts in quantum mechanics. This sort of pedagogical application is also aimed at showing the potential interest to introduce Bohmian mechanics in undergraduate quantum mechanics courses as a working tool rather than merely an alternative interpretation.