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

Physical Review Fluids

Static Bell test in pilot-wave hydrodynamics

Konstantinos Papatryfonos, Louis Vervoort, André Nachbin, Matthieu Labousse, John W. M. Bush

Published Aug 1, 2024• 14 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The experimental violation of Bell's Theorem in quantum systems is generally taken as proof of the impossibility of local hidden variable theories, as would provide a rational dynamical underpinning for quantum mechanics. We here present a platform for executing Bell tests in pilot-wave hydrodynamics, a system known to capture many features of the quantum realm. We execute a static test in a bipartite tunneling system, and rationalize the emergent violations in terms of the wave-mediated coupling between the two subsystems.

DOI
10.1103/physrevfluids.9.084001

Related papers

A platform for investigating Bell correlations in pilot-wave hydrodynamics

Konstantinos Papatryfonos, Louis Vervoort, André Nachbin +2 more

Since its discovery in 2005, the hydrodynamic pilot-wave system has provided a concrete macroscopic realization of wave-particle duality and concomitant classical analogs of a growing list of quantum effects. The question naturally arises as to whether this system might support statistical states that violate Bell's inequality, and so yield a classical analog of quantum entanglement. We here introduce a new platform for addressing this question, a numerical model of coupled bipartite tunneling in the hydrodynamic pilot-wave system. We demonstrate that, under certain conditions, the Bell inequality is violated in a static Bell test owing to correlations induced by the wave-mediated coupling between the two subsystems. The establishment of non-factorizable states with two spatially separated classical particles introduces the possibility of novel forms of quantum-inspired classical computing.

arXiv:2208.08940•Aug 18, 2022•2 citations

Superradiance and static Bell tests in pilot-wave hydrodynamics

Konstantinos Papatryfonos, Louis Vervoort, M. Ruelle +5 more

Since its discovery in 2005, the hydrodynamic pilot-wave system has emerged as a classical platform for exploring aspects of wave–particle duality. In these systems, bouncing droplets or droplets emitted from hydrodynamic cavities propagate on a vertically vibrating fluid bath. These droplets, guided by their self-generated wave fields, continue to provide a macroscopic setting in which several features commonly associated with quantum theory may be examined from a classical perspective. Recent work has extended this program beyond single-particle analogies toward cooperative emission, bipartite tunneling, and static Bell-type correlation functions, with particular emphasis on the roles of memory, wave-mediated coupling, and contextuality.

•Jun 9, 2026•0 citations

Proposed experiments for detecting contextual hidden variables

Konstantinos Papatryfonos, Louis Vervoort

We propose two quantum experiments - modified Bell tests - that could detect contextual hidden variables underlying quantum mechanics. The experiments are inspired by hydrodynamic pilot-wave systems that mimic a wide range of quantum effects and exhibit a classical analog of contextuality. To justify the experiments, we show that contextual hidden variables are 'physics as usual' if a unification between quantum mechanics and general relativity is possible. Accordingly, contextual theories can bypass Bell's theorem in a way that is both local and non-conspiratorial. We end with a note on the relevance of exploratory experiments in the foundations of quantum physics.

arXiv:2506.02637•Jun 3, 2025•0 citations

Proposed experiments for detecting contextual hidden variables

Konstantinos Papatryfonos, Louis Vervoort

Abstract We propose two quantum experiments – modified Bell tests – that could detect contextual hidden variables underlying quantum mechanics. The experiments are inspired by hydrodynamic pilot-wave systems that mimic a wide range of quantum effects and exhibit a classical analog of contextuality. To justify the experiments, we show that contextual hidden variables are inevitable and ‘physics as usual’ if a unification between quantum mechanics and general relativity is possible. Accordingly, contextual theories can bypass Bell’s theorem in a way that is both local and non-conspiratorial. We end with a note on the relevance of exploratory experiments in the foundations of quantum physics.

•Jun 16, 2025•0 citations

Perspectives on pilot-wave hydrodynamics

John W. M. Bush, Valeri Frumkin, Pedro J. Sáenz

We present a number of fresh perspectives on pilot-wave hydrodynamics, the field initiated in 2005 by Couder and Fort's discovery that millimetric droplets self-propelling along the surface of a vibrating bath can capture certain features of quantum systems. A recurring theme will be that pilot-wave hydrodynamics furnishes a classical framework for reproducing many quantum phenomena and allows one to rationalize such phenomena mechanistically, from a local realist perspective, obviating the need to appeal to quantum nonlocality. The distinction is drawn between hydrodynamic pilot-wave theory and its quantum counterparts, Bohmian mechanics, the Bohm–Vigier stochastic pilot-wave theory, and de Broglie's theory of the double-solution. Each of these quantum predecessors provide a valuable touchstone as we take the physical picture engendered in the walking droplets and extend it into the quantum realm via theoretical modeling. Emphasis is given to recent developments in the field, both experimental and conceptual, and to forecasting potentially fruitful new directions.

Applied Physics Letters•Jul 15, 2024•14 citations

Pilot-Wave Hydrodynamics

John W. M. Bush

Yves Couder, Emmanuel Fort, and coworkers recently discovered that a millimetric droplet sustained on the surface of a vibrating fluid bath may self-propel through a resonant interaction with its own wave field. This article reviews experimental evidence indicating that the walking droplets exhibit certain features previously thought to be exclusive to the microscopic, quantum realm. It then reviews theoretical descriptions of this hydrodynamic pilot-wave system that yield insight into the origins of its quantum-like behavior. Quantization arises from the dynamic constraint imposed on the droplet by its pilot-wave field, and multimodal statistics appear to be a feature of chaotic pilot-wave dynamics. I attempt to assess the potential and limitations of this hydrodynamic system as a quantum analog. This fluid system is compared to quantum pilot-wave theories, shown to be markedly different from Bohmian mechanics and more closely related to de Broglie's original conception of quantum dynamics, his double-solution theory, and its relatively recent extensions through researchers in stochastic electrodynamics.

Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics•Sep 24, 2014•311 citations
The experimental violation of Bell's Theorem in quantum systems is generally taken as proof of the impossibility of local hidden variable theories, as would provide a rational dynamical underpinning for quantum mechanics. We here present a platform for executing Bell tests in pilot-wave hydrodynamics, a system known to capture many features of the quantum realm. We execute a static test in a bipartite tunneling system, and rationalize the emergent violations in terms of the wave-mediated coupling between the two subsystems.
Since its discovery in 2005, the hydrodynamic pilot-wave system has provided a concrete macroscopic realization of wave-particle duality and concomitant classical analogs of a growing list of quantum effects. The question naturally arises as to whether this system might support statistical states that violate Bell's inequality, and so yield a classical analog of quantum entanglement. We here introduce a new platform for addressing this question, a numerical model of coupled bipartite tunneling in the hydrodynamic pilot-wave system. We demonstrate that, under certain conditions, the Bell inequality is violated in a static Bell test owing to correlations induced by the wave-mediated coupling between the two subsystems. The establishment of non-factorizable states with two spatially separated classical particles introduces the possibility of novel forms of quantum-inspired classical computing.
Since its discovery in 2005, the hydrodynamic pilot-wave system has emerged as a classical platform for exploring aspects of wave–particle duality. In these systems, bouncing droplets or droplets emitted from hydrodynamic cavities propagate on a vertically vibrating fluid bath. These droplets, guided by their self-generated wave fields, continue to provide a macroscopic setting in which several features commonly associated with quantum theory may be examined from a classical perspective. Recent work has extended this program beyond single-particle analogies toward cooperative emission, bipartite tunneling, and static Bell-type correlation functions, with particular emphasis on the roles of memory, wave-mediated coupling, and contextuality.
We propose two quantum experiments - modified Bell tests - that could detect contextual hidden variables underlying quantum mechanics. The experiments are inspired by hydrodynamic pilot-wave systems that mimic a wide range of quantum effects and exhibit a classical analog of contextuality. To justify the experiments, we show that contextual hidden variables are 'physics as usual' if a unification between quantum mechanics and general relativity is possible. Accordingly, contextual theories can bypass Bell's theorem in a way that is both local and non-conspiratorial. We end with a note on the relevance of exploratory experiments in the foundations of quantum physics.
Abstract We propose two quantum experiments – modified Bell tests – that could detect contextual hidden variables underlying quantum mechanics. The experiments are inspired by hydrodynamic pilot-wave systems that mimic a wide range of quantum effects and exhibit a classical analog of contextuality. To justify the experiments, we show that contextual hidden variables are inevitable and ‘physics as usual’ if a unification between quantum mechanics and general relativity is possible. Accordingly, contextual theories can bypass Bell’s theorem in a way that is both local and non-conspiratorial. We end with a note on the relevance of exploratory experiments in the foundations of quantum physics.
We present a number of fresh perspectives on pilot-wave hydrodynamics, the field initiated in 2005 by Couder and Fort's discovery that millimetric droplets self-propelling along the surface of a vibrating bath can capture certain features of quantum systems. A recurring theme will be that pilot-wave hydrodynamics furnishes a classical framework for reproducing many quantum phenomena and allows one to rationalize such phenomena mechanistically, from a local realist perspective, obviating the need to appeal to quantum nonlocality. The distinction is drawn between hydrodynamic pilot-wave theory and its quantum counterparts, Bohmian mechanics, the Bohm–Vigier stochastic pilot-wave theory, and de Broglie's theory of the double-solution. Each of these quantum predecessors provide a valuable touchstone as we take the physical picture engendered in the walking droplets and extend it into the quantum realm via theoretical modeling. Emphasis is given to recent developments in the field, both experimental and conceptual, and to forecasting potentially fruitful new directions.
Yves Couder, Emmanuel Fort, and coworkers recently discovered that a millimetric droplet sustained on the surface of a vibrating fluid bath may self-propel through a resonant interaction with its own wave field. This article reviews experimental evidence indicating that the walking droplets exhibit certain features previously thought to be exclusive to the microscopic, quantum realm. It then reviews theoretical descriptions of this hydrodynamic pilot-wave system that yield insight into the origins of its quantum-like behavior. Quantization arises from the dynamic constraint imposed on the droplet by its pilot-wave field, and multimodal statistics appear to be a feature of chaotic pilot-wave dynamics. I attempt to assess the potential and limitations of this hydrodynamic system as a quantum analog. This fluid system is compared to quantum pilot-wave theories, shown to be markedly different from Bohmian mechanics and more closely related to de Broglie's original conception of quantum dynamics, his double-solution theory, and its relatively recent extensions through researchers in stochastic electrodynamics.