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Understanding Popper's Experiment

Qureshi, T

Published Jan 1, 2004• 13 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

An experiment, proposed by Karl Popper, is considered by many, to be a crucial test of quantum mechanics. While many loop holes have been pointed out in the original proposal, it turned out that they are not crucial to the test. We point out what is fundamentally wrong with the proposal. Using just the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics, we demonstrate that Popper's basic premise was faulty.

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Popper's test of quantum mechanics and two-photon "ghost" diffraction

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A test on quantum mechanics proposed long ago by Karl Popper is reconsidered with further detail and new insight. An ambiguity in the proposal, which turns out to be essential in order to make the test conclusive, is identified and taken into account for the first time. Its implications for recently performed photon experiments [such as in D. V. Strekalov \textit{et al.}, Phys. Rev.\ Lett. {\bf 74}, 3600 (1995)] are briefly analyzed.

arXiv:quant-ph/0507040•Jul 4, 2005•0 citations
An experiment, proposed by Karl Popper, is considered by many, to be a crucial test of quantum mechanics. While many loop holes have been pointed out in the original proposal, it turned out that they are not crucial to the test. We point out what is fundamentally wrong with the proposal. Using just the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics, we demonstrate that Popper's basic premise was faulty.
A thought experiment, proposed by Karl Popper, which has been experimentally realized recently, is critically examined. A basic flaw in Popper's argument which has also been prevailing in subsequent debates, is pointed out. It is shown that Popper's experiment can be understood easily within the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. An alternate experiment, based on discrete variables, is proposed, which constitutes Popper's test in a clearer way. It refutes the argument of absence of nonlocality in quantum mechanics.
A thought experiment, proposed by Karl Popper, which has been experimentally realized recently, is critically examined. A basic flaw in Popper's argument which has also been prevailing in subsequent debates, is pointed out. It is shown that Popper's experiment can be understood easily within the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. An alternate experiment, based on discrete variables, is proposed, which constitutes Popper's test in a clearer way. It refutes the argument of absence of nonlocality in quantum mechanics.
Karl Popper had proposed an experiment to test the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics. The proposal survived for many year in the midst of no clear consensus on what results it would yield. The experiment was realized by Kim and Shih in 1999, and the apparently surprising result led to lot of debate. We review Popper's proposal and its realization in the light of current era when entanglement has been well studied, both theoretically and experimentally. We show that the "ghost-diffraction" experiment, carried out in a different context, conclusively resolves the controversy surrounding Popper's experiment. Quanta 2012; 1: 19–32.
Popper's original thought experiment probed some fundamental and subtle rules of quantum mechanics. He claimed that quantum mechanics was incomplete and devised an experiment to prove it. Two experiments have directly and indirectly tested Popper's hypothesis, and they provide some evidence that Popper's prediction may have been correct. The equations governing these two experiments and Popper's thought experiment will be derived from basic quantum principles. The experimental constants will be inputted and it will show that the two experiments reinforce each other and agree completely with quantum theory.