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arXiv:physics/9902064

Long range correlations and relativity: metatheoretic considerations

George Svetlichny

Published Feb 23, 1999• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Action-at-a-distance is a generic property of physical theories. As such, it is not a fruitful idea in theory building. Its absence confers a rigidity on a theory which we exemplify through analysis of long-range correlations of the EPR-type in relativistic theories. Rigidity is desirable for fundamental theories, and theory building should focus on structurally unstable properties, making action-at-a-distance a side issue. Though apparent superluminal effects seem to be present in many present-day physical theories, we maintain that they are not a basis for action-at-a-distance.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.physics/9902064

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Action-at-a-distance is a generic property of physical theories. As such, it is not a fruitful idea in theory building. Its absence confers a rigidity on a theory which we exemplify through analysis of long-range correlations of the EPR-type in relativistic theories. Rigidity is desirable for fundamental theories, and theory building should focus on structurally unstable properties, making action-at-a-distance a side issue. Though apparent superluminal effects seem to be present in many present-day physical theories, we maintain that they are not a basis for action-at-a-distance.
This book is an attempt to build a consistent relativistic quantum theory of interacting particles. In the first part of the book "Quantum electrodynamics" we follow rather traditional approach to particle physics. Our discussion proceeds systematically from the principle of relativity and postulates of quantum measurements to the renormalization in quantum electrodynamics. In the second part of the book "Quantum theory of particles" this traditional approach is reexamined. We find that formulas of special relativity should be modified to take into account particle interactions. We also suggest reinterpreting quantum field theory in the language of physical "dressed" particles. This formulation eliminates the need for renormalization and opens up a new way for studying dynamical and bound state properties of quantum interacting systems. The developed theory is applied to realistic physical objects and processes including the energy spectrum of the hydrogen atom, the decay law of moving unstable particles, and the electric field of relativistic electron beams. These results force us to take a fresh look at some core issues of modern particle theories, in particular, the Minkowski space-time unification, the role of quantum fields and renormalization as well as the alleged impossibility of action-at-a-distance. A new perspective on these issues is suggested. It can help to solve the old problem of theoretical physics -- a consistent unification of relativity and quantum mechanics.
Abstract After forty years of EPR experiments, it appears on the face of the experimental facts that one of the oldest ideas in Physics has been falsified, namely the retarded interaction paradigm, the notion that long range interactions between quanta, or equivalently causal influences between point events, are mediated by physical entities - fields, particles or “causal influences” in general - that travel through space from one point to the other at or below the characteristic velocity, c. A critical examination of this basic idea shows it to be unsatisfactory in all respects. An alternative is then proposed that satisfies both causality and local action, “distributed action”, which is germane to local realist field models of the quanta, where matter and energy extend in space and interact locally and causally at all locations where they overlap. Bell Inequalities cannot be derived in this context because, with distributed fieldfield interactions, spacelike separation of events does not guarantee the fundamental “no influence” assumption from which all the various Bell Inequalities are derived. Distributed action thus explains what appears to us as instantaneous action at a distance. PACS: 03.65.Ud 03.75.-b
The phenomenon of nonlocality in quantum mechanics is one of its most fundamental features and is most strikingly exemplified in the discussion of the Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen (EPR) type of experiment. The generality of Bell's inequality and the results of experiments done up to now show that local hidden-variable theories are ruled out as a means to resolve the famous EPR paradox. What remains for further consideration are the nonlocal and the Einstein-separable hidden-variable models. Finally, an alternative and possibly successful approach in trying to 'explain' nonlocality might involve ideas of backward causation.
In the 80 years since the seminal Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR) paper, physicists and philosophers have mused about the `spooky action at a distance' aspect of quantum mechanics that so bothered Einstein. In his formal analysis of EPR-type entangled quantum states, Bell (1964) concluded that any hidden variable theory designed to reproduce the predictions of quantum mechanics must necessarily be nonlocal and allow superluminal interactions. This doesn't immediately imply that nonlocality is a characteristic feature of quantum mechanics let alone a fundamental property of nature; however, many physicists and philosophers of science do harbor this belief. Experts in the field often use the term `nonlocality' to designate particular non-classical aspects of quantum entanglement and do not confuse the term with superluminal interactions. However, many physicists seem to take the term more literally. I endeavor to disabuse the latter of this notion by emphasizing that the correlations of Bell-type entanglement are a result of ordinary quantum superposition with no need to introduce nonlocality. The conclusion of the EPR paper wasn't that quantum mechanics is nonlocal but rather that it is an incomplete description of reality. For different reasons, many physicists, including me, agree with Einstein that quantum mechanics is necessarily an incomplete description of reality.
The EPR paradox is reformulated: 'how does a particle influence another through space' presupposes the fundamentality of space, while in OTIS space is derived from τ-topology (Article XX). Entangled particles are identified as τ-neighbors (small τ-distance); their large spatial separation is a property of the derived metric. 'Action at a distance' is not at a distance: in τ-topology there is no gap. Consequences: the prohibition on superluminal transfer is structurally preserved; Bell inequality violation is expected (hidden variables sought in the wrong metric); a distinguishing feature is proposed — entanglement stability dependence on τ-connectivity of the medium rather than distance alone.
1.The key or origin of EPR paradox lies in the fact that there is something with the background knowledge which is accepted as correct.Through ideal experiment and EPR argument,Einstein and others have found that the metatheoretical non-local hypothesis behind quantum mechanics seems to conflict with the theory of relativity.2.Experiment test of Bell's inequality is a kind of crucial experiment.3.The metaphors of Neurath's repairing the ship during voyage and Popper's swamp have given a vivid explanation that scientific theories may have a relatively reliable base of experience.Accordingly,the background knowledge that could be wrong is qualified to be the relatively reliable logic base of crucial experiment.4.Einstein is not in defending realism and non-act-a-distance.However,the holism of quantum mechanics and long-range correlation cannot be ignored,for they will have profound implication which calls for further study.