Why is it impossible in quantum mechanics to describe two or more separated entities

Diederik Aerts

Dirk Aerts

Dirk Aerts

We prove that a theory that is different from a classical theory and has the property that orthogonal states of a physical system are compatible states (a property called orthomodularity in axiomatics) cannot describe two separated entities. Quantum mechanics has this property and as a consequence it is impossible to describe two separated entities in quantum mechanics. This is essentially due to the fact that quantum mechanics is too specific a theory. We indicate the direction for a generalization where the problem could be solved.

Diederik Aerts, Frank Valckenborgh

We consider the situation of a physical entity that is the compound entity consisting of two ‘separated ’ quantum entities. In earlier work it has been proved by one of the authors that such a physical entity cannot be described by standard quantum mechanics. More precisely, it was shown that two of the axioms of traditional quantum axiomatics are at the origin of the impossibility for standard quantum mechanics to describe this type of compound entity. One of these axioms is equivalent with the superposition principle, which means that separated quantum entities put the linearity of quantum mechanics at stake. We analyze the conceptual steps that are involved in this proof, and expose the necessary material of quantum axiomatics to be able to understand the argument. 1

Dirk Aerts

Diederik Aerts, FRANK VALCKENBORGH

We consider the situation of a physical entity that is the compound entity consisting of two 'separated' quantum entities. In earlier work it has been proven by one of the authors that such a physical entity cannot be described by standard quantum mechanics. More precisely, it was shown that two of the axioms of traditional quantum axiomatics are at the origin of the impossibility for standard quantum mechanics to describe this type of compound entity. One of these axioms is equivalent with the superposition principle, which means that separated quantum entities put the linearity of quantum mechanics at stake. We analyze the conceptual steps that are involved in this proof, and expose the necessary material of quantum axiomatics to be able to understand the argument