We comment on an analysis by Qureshi of an experiment proposed by Popper and show that an analysis based solely on conventional nonrelativistic quantum mechanics is sufficient to exclude the possibility of subluminal or superluminal communication. That is, local operations cannot be employed to transmit information.
Quantum mechanics implies the existence of correlations which cannot be described by any local theory. These nonlocal correlations possibly suggest the existence of particles traveling faster than light (tachyons). But the potential paradoxes associated with their existence imply that, even i f these tachyons do exist, it should not be possible to control them in a manner necessary for human superluminal (faster than light) communication. Indeed, the unitary nature of the time development operator precludes the possibility of using non-local correlations to communicate superluminally within the quantum formalism. A simplified model which preserves unitary time development i s shown to be useful in studying 'thought experiments' which appear init ially to allow for superluminal communication. The consistency of quantum mechanics is questioned when measurements of retarded fields are considered. I f certain idealized measurements are possible in principle, then the quantum formalism appears inconsistent. I f the measurements are not possible in principle, then 'state reduct ion' (non-unitary time evolution of the state operator) in a pragmatic sense can be said to have occurred. The suggestion that tachyons be used to explain the non-local correlations i s abandoned in favor of another model whose philosophy is supported by the tenets of relativity theory. Such a model may imply the existence of a more general quantum theory where a quantum system itself can be taken as a (generalized) frame of reference.
A thought experiment, proposed by Karl Popper, which has been experimentally realized recently, is critically examined. A basic flaw in Popper's argument which has also been prevailing in subsequent debates, is pointed out. It is shown that Popper's experiment can be understood easily within the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. An alternate experiment, based on discrete variables, is proposed, which constitutes Popper's test in a clearer way. It refutes the argument of absence of nonlocality in quantum mechanics.
It is fair to say that Bell’s Theorem leaves a nasty taste in the mouths of many physicistsbecause test results seem to suggest that non-local, i.e., superluminal, communicationof some sort is going on all around us and maybe not just at the quantum level. ButBell’s Theorem has been aptly demonstrated to date, and Quantum Mechanics (QM) is,if not the most successful theory devised by man, certainly one of them. To some, andespecially to Einstein, one of the least favorable aspects of QM is its statistical nature.This paper embraces QM’s statistical nature and employs quantum entanglement toshow that superluminal communication may be possible albeit, most likely, initially, ata very low bit rate.