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Quantum Measurement Problems, Decoherence, and Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking

Yuanxin Li

Published Nov 13, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a mechanism analogous to the spontaneous symmetry breaking combined with the quantum decoherence theory to explain the collapse of the wave function after the quantum measurement. We show that a wave function in a superposition of several eigenstates reduces to a single eigenstate due to the spontaneous-symmetry-breaking-like kinetic effect.

DOI
10.20944/preprints202409.2405.v2

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In this paper, we propose a mechanism analogous to the spontaneous symmetry breaking combined with the quantum decoherence theory to explain the collapse of the wave function after the quantum measurement. We show that a wave function in a superposition of several eigenstates reduces to a single eigenstate due to the spontaneous-symmetry-breaking-like kinetic effect.
The basic idea of quantum mechanics is that the property of any system can be in a state of superposition of various possibilities (or eigen states).This state of superposition is also known as wave function and it evolves linearly with time in a deterministic way in accordance with the Schrodinger equation.However, when a measurement is carried out on the system to determine the value of that property (say position), the system instantaneously transforms to one of the eigen states and thus we get only a single value as an outcome of the measurement.Quantum measurement problem seeks to find the cause and exact mechanism governing this transformation.In an attempt to solve the above problem, in this paper, we will first define what the wave function represents in real-world and will identify the root cause behind the stochastic nature of events.Then, we will develop a model to explain the mechanism of collapse of the quantum mechanical wave function in response to a measurement.In the process of development of model, we will explain Schrodinger cat paradox and will show how Born's rule for probability becomes a natural consequence of the measurement process.
This is the first single volume about the collapse theories of quantum mechanics, which is becoming a very active field of research in both physics and philosophy. In standard quantum mechanics, it is postulated that when the wave function of a quantum system is measured, it no longer follows the Schrödinger equation, but instantaneously and randomly collapses to one of the wave functions that correspond to definite measurement results. However, why and how a definite measurement result appears is unknown. A promising solution to this problem are collapse theories in which the collapse of the wave function is spontaneous and dynamical. Chapters written by distinguished physicists and philosophers of physics discuss the origin and implications of wave-function collapse, the controversies around collapse models and their ontologies, and new arguments for the reality of wave function collapse. This is an invaluable resource for students and researchers interested in the philosophy of physics and foundations of quantum mechanics.
In this work spontaneous (non-dynamical) breaking (effective hiding) of the unitary quantum mechanical dynamical symmetry (superposition) is considered. It represents an especial but very interesting case of the general formalism of the spontaneous symmetry breaking (effective hiding). Conceptual analogies with spontaneous breaking of the gauge symmetry in Weinberg-Sallam's electro-weak interaction are pointed out. Also, consequences of the spontaneous superposition breaking in the measurement process are discussed. Measurement can be considered as a typical Landau's continuous phase transition with spontaneous superposition breaking (effective hiding) effectively corresponding to collapse. Here critical values of the order parameters are determined by Heisenberg's uncertainty relations.