We discuss whether the Stern-Gerlach experiment accepts hidden-variables theories. We discuss that the existence of two spin-1/2 pure states $|\uparrow\rangle$ and $|\downarrow\rangle$ rules out the existence of probability space of specific quantum measurement. If we detect $|\uparrow\rangle$ , then measurement outcome is $+1$ . If we detect $|\downarrow\rangle$ , then measurement outcome is $-1$ . This hidden-variables theory does not accept the transition probability $|\langle\uparrow|\downarrow\rangle|^2=0$ . Therefore we have to give up the hidden-variables theory. This implies the Stern-Gerlach experiment cannot accept the specific hidden-variables theory. And we study whether quantum phase factor accepts hidden-variables theories. We use the transition probability for two spin-1/2 pure states $(|\uparrow\rangle+|\downarrow\rangle)/\sqrt{2}$ and $(|\uparrow\rangle+e^{i \theta}|\downarrow\rangle)/\sqrt{2}$ . It is $\cos^2(\theta/2)$ . We discuss that the phase factor does not accept another specific hidden-variables theory. We explore the phase factor is indeed a quantum effect, not classical. Our research gives a new insight to the quantum information processing which relies on quantum phase factor, such as Deutsch's algorithm.We discuss whether the Stern-Gerlach experiment accepts hidden-variables theories. We discuss that the existence of two spin-1/2 pure states $|\uparrow\rangle$ and $|\downarrow\rangle$ rules out the existence of probability space of specific quantum measurement. If we detect $|\uparrow\rangle$, then measurement outcome is $+1$. If we detect $|\downarrow\rangle$, then measurement outcome is $-1$. This hidden-variables theory does not accept the transition probability $|\langle\uparrow|\downarrow\rangle|^2=0$. Therefore we have to give up the hidden-variables theory. This implies the Stern-Gerlach experiment cannot accept the specific hidden-variables theory. And we study whether quantum phase factor accepts hidden-variables theories. We use the transition probability for two spin-1/2 pure states $(|\uparrow\rangle+|\downarrow\rangle)/\sqrt{2}$ and $(|\uparrow\rangle+e^{i \theta}|\downarrow\rangle)/\sqrt{2}$. It is $\cos^2(\theta/2)$. We discuss that the phase factor does not accept another specific hidden-variables theory. We explore the phase factor is indeed a quantum effect, not classical. Our research gives a new insight to the quantum information processing which relies on quantum phase factor, such as Deutsch's algorithm.

Mar 1, 20140 citations

A Search for A Stochastic Archetype of Quantum Probability

Tim C Jenkins

Abstract Superposed wavefunctions in quantum mechanics lead to a squared amplitude that introduces interference into a probability density, which has long been a puzzle because interference between probability densities exists nowhere else in probability theory. In recent years, Man’ko and coauthors have successfully reconciled quantum and classic probability using a symplectic tomographic model. Nevertheless, there remains an unexplained coincidence in quantum mechanics, namely, that mathematically, the interference term in the squared amplitude of superposed wavefunctions gives the squared amplitude the form of a variance of a sum of correlated random variables, and we examine whether there could be an archetypical variable behind quantum probability that provides a mathematical foundation that observes both quantum and classic probability directly. The properties that would need to be satisfied for this to be the case are identified, and a generic hidden variable that satisfies them is found that would be present everywhere, transforming into a process-specific variable wherever a quantum process is active. Uncovering this variable confirms the possibility that it is the stochastic archetype of quantum probability.Abstract Superposed wavefunctions in quantum mechanics lead to a squared amplitude that introduces interference into a probability density, which has long been a puzzle because interference between probability densities exists nowhere else in probability theory. In recent years, Man’ko and coauthors have successfully reconciled quantum and classic probability using a symplectic tomographic model. Nevertheless, there remains an unexplained coincidence in quantum mechanics, namely, that mathematically, the interference term in the squared amplitude of superposed wavefunctions gives the squared amplitude the form of a variance of a sum of correlated random variables, and we examine whether there could be an archetypical variable behind quantum probability that provides a mathematical foundation that observes both quantum and classic probability directly. The properties that would need to be satisfied for this to be the case are identified, and a generic hidden variable that satisfies them is found that would be present everywhere, transforming into a process-specific variable wherever a quantum process is active. Uncovering this variable confirms the possibility that it is the stochastic archetype of quantum probability.

Advances in Theoretical & Computational PhysicsJan 14, 20221 citation

On Hidden Variables and Quantum Mechanical Probabilities

Eugene Paul Wigner

Springer eBooksJan 1, 19762 citations

Quantum versus stochastic or hidden-variable fluctuations in two-photon interference effects

C. Su, K. Wódkiewicz

In a series of experiments performed by Mandel and co-workers, nonclassical effects have been demonstrated in the interference of two photons generated in a process of parametric down-conversion. The nonclassical effects in the two-photon interference effects can be discussed in the framework of two different descriptions. In the first description, a stochastic theory of electromagnetic field fluctuations can be used in order to calculate the interference pattern. In the second description, a theory of hidden-variable fluctuations can be applied in order to calculate correlations of the interference pattern. A stochastic theory leads to statistical inequalities for the light intensities, while a local hidden-variable theory leads to Bell's inequalities. Using the Schwinger-boson representation of the angular momentum, we show that the two-photon interference effects can be described in terms of spin-correlated states. In particular, we show that the action of a beam splitter on the photons in a parametric down-conversion is equivalent to the production of an entangled state that is very similar to the well-known Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen spin-singlet state. We show that the stochastic theory of two-photon fluctuations is not equivalent to a hidden-variable theory of photon correlations. We establish a range for which the stochastic theory fails but the hidden-variable theory is still possible. We compare our theoretical predictions with the experimental results and conclude that a violation of the stochastic theory has been clearly observed, while the violation of the hidden-variable theory is less pronounced.In a series of experiments performed by Mandel and co-workers, nonclassical effects have been demonstrated in the interference of two photons generated in a process of parametric down-conversion. The nonclassical effects in the two-photon interference effects can be discussed in the framework of two different descriptions. In the first description, a stochastic theory of electromagnetic field fluctuations can be used in order to calculate the interference pattern. In the second description, a theory of hidden-variable fluctuations can be applied in order to calculate correlations of the interference pattern. A stochastic theory leads to statistical inequalities for the light intensities, while a local hidden-variable theory leads to Bell's inequalities. Using the Schwinger-boson representation of the angular momentum, we show that the two-photon interference effects can be described in terms of spin-correlated states. In particular, we show that the action of a beam splitter on the photons in a parametric down-conversion is equivalent to the production of an entangled state that is very similar to the well-known Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen spin-singlet state. We show that the stochastic theory of two-photon fluctuations is not equivalent to a hidden-variable theory of photon correlations. We establish a range for which the stochastic theory fails but the hidden-variable theory is still possible. We compare our theoretical predictions with the experimental results and conclude that a violation of the stochastic theory has been clearly observed, while the violation of the hidden-variable theory is less pronounced.

Physical Review ANov 1, 199120 citations

Explaining Interference Effects Using Quantum Probability Theory

Jerome R. Busemeyer, Jennifer S. Trueblood

Advanced series on mathematical psychologySep 1, 20110 citations

We discuss whether the Stern-Gerlach experiment accepts hidden-variables theories. We discuss that the existence of two spin-1/2 pure states

|\uparrow\rangle

and

|\downarrow\rangle

rules out the existence of probability space of specific quantum measurement. If we detect

|\uparrow\rangle

, then measurement outcome is

+1

. If we detect

|\downarrow\rangle

, then measurement outcome is

-1

. This hidden-variables theory does not accept the transition probability

|\langle\uparrow|\downarrow\rangle|^2=0

. Therefore we have to give up the hidden-variables theory. This implies the Stern-Gerlach experiment cannot accept the specific hidden-variables theory. And we study whether quantum phase factor accepts hidden-variables theories. We use the transition probability for two spin-1/2 pure states

(|\uparrow\rangle+|\downarrow\rangle)/\sqrt{2}

and

(|\uparrow\rangle+e^{i \theta}|\downarrow\rangle)/\sqrt{2}

. It is

\cos^2(\theta/2)

. We discuss that the phase factor does not accept another specific hidden-variables theory. We explore the phase factor is indeed a quantum effect, not classical. Our research gives a new insight to the quantum information processing which relies on quantum phase factor, such as Deutsch's algorithm.