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On the Possibility of Probing the Speed of Quantum Collapse

José Ignacio Orlicki

Published Nov 5, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The instantaneous nature of quantum entanglement remains one of the most intriguing aspects of quantum mechanics. While the no-signaling theorem prohibits faster-than-light communication, the concept of a finite speed for the collapse of the quantum wavefunction has been a subject of philosophical debate. In this paper, we propose an experimental setup designed to test the speed of wavefunction collapse using entangled photon pairs over a distance of 10 km. By systematically varying the time delay between measurements and analyzing the resulting correlations, we aim to outline a method that could place bounds on the collapse speed without contradicting the no-signaling theorem. We argue that detecting a finite, possibly superluminal, speed of collapse could allow for maintaining realism and locality through high-speed remote synchronization, eliminating the need for hidden variables. We provide a detailed experimental design, including an algorithm and a Python implementation using the Cirq library to simulate the proposed experiment. Our goal is to motivate experimentalists to undertake this test, which could have profound implications for our understanding of quantum mechanics and the nature of reality.

DOI
10.20944/preprints202411.0282.v1

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The instantaneous nature of quantum entanglement remains one of the most intriguing aspects of quantum mechanics. While the no-signaling theorem prohibits faster-than-light communication, the concept of a finite speed for the collapse of the quantum wavefunction has been a subject of philosophical debate. In this paper, we propose an experimental setup designed to test the speed of wavefunction collapse using entangled photon pairs over a distance of 10 km. By systematically varying the time delay between measurements and analyzing the resulting correlations, we aim to outline a method that could place bounds on the collapse speed without contradicting the no-signaling theorem. We argue that detecting a finite, possibly superluminal, speed of collapse could allow for maintaining realism and locality through high-speed remote synchronization, eliminating the need for hidden variables. We provide a detailed experimental design, including an algorithm and a Python implementation using the Cirq library to simulate the proposed experiment. Our goal is to motivate experimentalists to undertake this test, which could have profound implications for our understanding of quantum mechanics and the nature of reality.
The instantaneous nature of quantum entanglement remains one of the most intriguing aspects of quantum mechanics. While the no-signaling theorem prohibits faster-than-light communication, the concept of a finite speed for the collapse of the quantum wavefunction has been a subject of philosophical debate. In this paper, we propose an experimental setup designed to test the speed of wavefunction collapse using entangled photon pairs over a distance of 10 km. By systematically varying the time delay between measurements and analyzing the resulting correlations, we aim to outline a method that could place bounds on the collapse speed without contradicting the no-signaling theorem. We argue that detecting a finite, possibly superluminal, speed of collapse could allow for maintaining realism and locality through high-speed remote synchronization, eliminating the need for hidden variables. We provide a detailed experimental design, including an algorithm and a Python implementation using the Cirq library to simulate the proposed experiment. Our goal is to motivate experimentalists to undertake this test, which could have profound implications for our understanding of quantum mechanics and the nature of reality.
Quantum Mechanics (QM) predicts the correlation between measurements performed in remote regions of a spatially spread entangled state to be higher than allowed by the intuitive concepts of Locality and Realism (LR). This high correlation forbids the introduction of nonlinear operators of evolution in QM (which would be desirable for several reasons), for it would lead to faster-than-light signaling. As a way out of this situation, it has been hypothesized that the high quantum correlation can be observed only after a time longer than L/c has elapsed (where L is the spatial spread of the entangled state and c is the speed of light). In shorter times, a level of correlation compatible with LR would be observed instead. A simple model following this hypothesis is described. It has not been disproved by any of the performed experiments to date. A test achievable with accessible means is proposed. The data recorded in a similar but incomplete experiment (which was done in 2012 with a different purpose, and repeated in 2018 producing essentially the same results) are analyzed, and are found consistent with the described model. Yet, we stress that a specific experiment is absolutely needed.
Wavefunction collapse is a puzzling aspect of quantum mechanics. Designing a test to confirm the instantaneousness of collapse has turned out to be challenging, especially for collapse in configuration space. We propose a test using two identical, non-local, correlated photons in an interferometer in which a post-selection measurement of one of the photons in its location changes the statistical behavior of the other photon, which is an arbitrarily large distance away, and thus its detectable subsequent behavior. Analysis of the resulting correlations constitutes a test of the instantaneousness (or non-instantaneousness) of collapse. Connections to some of the recent proposed models of collapse are discussed
Present understanding of non-possibility of Quantum communication rests on analysis of possibility of signalling within a Quantum system. Is it possible to achieve signalling by a setup where the system is changed from one to another where the act of change serves as the signal and the change in the measurement probabilities would be detected and deciphered at the receiver end? A proposal is made where a variant of Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser experiment setup of Kim et al is used to achieve the same. The setup is also designed such that the speed of communication can be faster than light. NonLocality and Quantum communication Nonlocality is a feature of Quantum Mechanics that has been firmly established through experiments [Aspect et al, 1981] and well accepted now. Entangled particles separated by a distance still are part of one entity and when that entity changes state by a measurement in one part of it the change happens instantaneously across the domain the entity pervades. Is it possible to use this instantaneous state change to transmit information across at high speeds, faster than light (FTL)? This issue has been dealt with from the time the Einstein raised the EPR paradox [Einstein et al,1935] and has been claimed to be impossible and shown to be so by Peres, [Peres and Tenko, 2004] through the no-communication theorem which shows that any amount of signalling by Alice through measurements done at one end of the quantum system would not be sufficient for Bob to detect and decipher at the other end of the system. However the discussions in literature (as above) always deal with information transfer within a stable quantum system by making measurements at one end and analysing the possibility of detecting it at the other end. Peres and Tenko analyse a Quantum System S of mixed-state where Alice and Bob make measurements at their ends of the system. The authors derive the probability that Bob’s outcome is ν as
An experimental test of relativistic wave-packet collapse is presented. The tested model assumes that the collapse takes place in the reference frame determined by the massive measuring detectors. Entangled photons are measured at 10 km distance within a time interval of less than 5 ps. The two apparatuses are in relative motion so that both detectors, each in its own inertial reference frame, are first to perform the measurement. The data always reproduces the quantum correlations and thus rule out a class of collapse models. The results also set a lower bound on the `speed of quantum information' to 2/3 ×10 7 and 3/2 ×10 4 times the speed of light in the Geneva and the background radiation reference frames, respectively. The very difficult and deep question of where the collapse takes place—if it takes place at all—is considered in a concrete experimental context.
The conflict between quantum mechanics (QM) and the intuitive concepts of locality and realism is most noticeable in the correlation between measurements performed in remote regions of a spatially spread entangled state of photons. It has been hypothesized that a transient deviation (from the value predicted by QM) may occur if the correlation is measured in a time shorter than L / c , where L is the spatial spread of the entangled state, and c is the speed of light. This hypothesis solves the conflict by minimally modifying the interpretation of QM, and opens the door to interesting possibilities. Technical reasons make the hypothesis impossible to test directly nowadays, but a stroboscopic observation is attainable. We present preliminary, nonconclusive results of an experiment in progress aimed to perform that test.