The classic paper of Clauser et al proved that Bell's Theorem experiments rule out all theories of physics which assume locality, time-forwards causality and the existence of an objective real world. The Backwards-Time Interpretation (BTI) tries to recover realism and locality by permitting backwards time causality. BTI should permit dramatic simplification of the assumptions or axioms of physics, but requires new work in fundamental mathematics, such as new tools for the "closure of turbulence," the derivation of statistics generated by ODE or PDE. Recent events like the Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser experiment of Kim, Shih et al have increased mainstream interest in the possibility of backwards causality. The Backwards Time Quantum Teleportation (BTQT) experiment will take this further. True backwards time communication channels (BTCC) are absolutely impossible in most formulations of quantum theory but only almost impossible in the BTI formulation. This paper discusses BTQT, the issue of backwards causality in different versions of quantum theory and new mathematical developments. It defines a new object, the "entropy matrix," which leads to closure of turbulence for PDE systems. Predictions of a common toy field theory (real phi-3 QFT) are reproduced by the corresponding PDE model combined with a new model of the micro/macro interface (2M/M).
The classic paper of Clauser et al proved that Bell's Theorem experiments rule out all theories of physics which assume locality, time-forwards causality and the existence of an objective real world. The Backwards-Time Interpretation (BTI) tries to recover realism and locality by permitting backwards time causality. BTI should permit dramatic simplification of the assumptions or axioms of physics, but requires new work in fundamental mathematics, such as new tools for the "closure of turbulence," the derivation of statistics generated by ODE or PDE. Recent events like the Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser experiment of Kim, Shih et al have increased mainstream interest in the possibility of backwards causality. The Backwards Time Quantum Teleportation (BTQT) experiment will take this further. True backwards time communication channels (BTCC) are absolutely impossible in most formulations of quantum theory but only almost impossible in the BTI formulation. This paper discusses BTQT, the issue of backwards causality in different versions of quantum theory and new mathematical developments. It defines a new object, the "entropy matrix," which leads to closure of turbulence for PDE systems. Predictions of a common toy field theory (real phi-3 QFT) are reproduced by the corresponding PDE model combined with a new model of the micro/macro interface (2M/M).
The classic “Bell’s Theorem” of Clauser, Holt, Shimony and Horne tells us that we must give up at least one of: (1) objective reality (aka “hidden variables”); (2) locality; or (3) time-forwards macroscopic statistics (aka “causality”). The orthodox Copenhagen version of physics gives up the first. The many-worlds theory of Everett and Wheeler gives up the second. The backwards-time theory of physics (BTP) gives up the third. Contrary to conventional wisdom, empirical evidence strongly favors Everett-Wheeler over orthodox Copenhagen. BTP allows two major variations—a many-worlds version and a neoclassical version based on Partial Differential Equations (PDE), in the spirit of Einstein. Section 2 of this paper discusses the origins of quantum measurement according to BTP, focusing on the issue of how we represent condensed matter objects like polarizers in a model “Bell’s Theorem” experiment. The backwards time telegraph (BTT) is not ruled out in BTP, but is highly speculative for now, as will be discussed.
The Delayed-Choice Quantum Eraser experiment is commonly interpreted as implying that in quantum mechanics a choice made at one time can influence an earlier event. We here suggest an extension of the experiment that results in a paradox when analysed in a local realist interpretation combined with backward causation (``dynamical retrocausality''). We argue that resolving the paradox requires giving up the idea that, in quantum mechanics, a choice can influence the past in this way, and that it instead requires a violation of Statistical Independence without (what most people think of as) retrocausality. Finally, we propose an implementation of the experiment that we believe to be possible with existing technology. This new experiment can distinguish between different types of hidden-variables theories in a way that Bell-type tests cannot: unlike in a Bell test, the measurement setting here is set by an earlier outcome, which makes the consistency of the backwards influence itself testable. We classify the fixed-point (consistency-enforcing) hidden-variables models of the experiment, which can reproduce quantum mechanics only if the backwards influence has no observable effect.
It is brought forward that viable theories of the physical world that have no variable at all that can play the role of time, do not exist; some notion of time is one of the very first ingredients a candidate theory should possess. Almost by definition, time has an arrow. In contrast, time reversibility, or even the possibility to run the equations of motion backwards in time, is not at all a primary requirement. This means that the direction of the arrow of time may well be uniquely defined in the theory, even locally. It is explained that a rigorous definition of time, as well as a formulation of the causality and locality concepts, can only be given when one has a model for the physical phenomena described. The only viable causality condition is one that is symmetric under time reversal. We explain these statements in terms of the author’s favoured deterministic cellular automaton interpretation of quantum mechanics, also to be referred to as 'vector space analysis', and expand on these ideas. It is also summarised how our more rigorous causality condition affects Bell’s theorems. What distinguishes quantum systems from classical ones is our fundamental inability to control the microscopic details of the initial state when phenomena are studied in the light of some theoretical model.
Previously suggested hidden time interpretation of quantum mechanics allows to reproduce the same predictions as standard quantum mechanics provides, since it is based on Feynman many - paths formulation of QM. While new experimental consequences of this interpretation are under investigation, some advantages can be enumerated. (1) The interpretation is much field theoretic - like in classical sense, so it is local in mathematical sense, though quantum (physical) non-locality is preserved. (2) The interpretation is based on one type of mathematical objects, rather than two different (Hilbert space vectors and operators). (3) The interpretation, as it was argued, overcomes the problem of hidden variables in a radically new way, with no conflict to Bell's theorem. Recently an important argument against hidden variables - like formulations of quantum theory was risen - "no protocol" argument. It is argued in the paper, that hidden time interpretation successfully overcomes this argument.
While Bell nonlocality can be explained through mechanisms such as retrocausality and superluminal influences, it is not clear why such mechanisms do not manifest at an everyday macroscopic level. In this paper, we show how measurement and nonlocality can be explained consistently with macroscopic realism and no-signaling, and causal relations for macroscopic quantities. Considering the measurement of a field amplitude x ̂ , we derive theorems that lead to an equivalence between a quantum phase-space probability distribution Q ( x , p , t ) and stochastic trajectories for real amplitudes x ( t ) and p ( t ) propagating backward and forward in time, respectively. We present forward-backward stochastic simulations that motivate a Q -based objective-field model of reality. Amplification plays a key role in the measurement. With amplification, similar to decoherence, contributions due to interference become unobservable, leading to “branches” in x that correspond to distinct eigenvalues λ . This elucidates how the system evolves from a superposition to an eigenstate, from which Born's rule follows. For superposition states, we find that the backward and forward trajectories are connected, leading to “hidden loops.” We deduce a hybrid causal structure involving causal deterministic relations for amplified variables, along with microscopic noise inputs and hidden loops for unobservable quantities. Causal consistency is confirmed, removing grandfather-type paradoxes. The simulations allow evaluation of a state inferred for the system, conditioned on a particular branch λ , from which we deduce a model for projection and the collapse of the wave function. The theory is extended to Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlations and Bell nonlocality. We demonstrate consistency with three weak local realistic premises: (1) the existence of real properties (defined for the system after operations that fix measurement settings); (2) a partial locality implying no-signaling; (3) “elements of reality” that apply to the predictions of a system by a meter, once meter settings are fixed. A Q -based hidden variable model and mechanism for Bell nonlocality is identified. Our work shows how forward-backward stochastic simulations lead to a hybrid causal structure, involving both deterministic causal relations and “hidden” stochastic loops, explaining measurement and entanglement, with paradoxes typically associated with retrocausality avoided.
A locality property expressing the idea that causal influences can propagate only forward in time, from earlier cause to later effect, and no faster than light is shown to be mathematically incompatible with certain predictions of quantum theory. The contradiction is proved without invoking any additional assumptions such as realism or hidden variables that contravene conventional quantum thinking. The failure of this locality property refines ideas about the theory of relativity, and opens the way to an objective interpretation of quantum theory that may expand its domain of applicability outside the one circumscribed by the orthodox Copenhagen interpretation.