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arXiv:quant-ph/0701241

Spontaneous Breaking of the Quantum Superposition

Vladan Panković, Milan Predojević

Published Jan 31, 2007• 1 citation
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Abstract

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.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0701241

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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.
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In this work we suggest a technically simple experimental realization of a continuous phase transition (with critical parameters determined by Heisenberg uncertainty relation), or, metaphorically speaking, Magellan strait, from the Great, Pacific ocean of the photon trajectories superposition detection into the Atlantic ocean of the photon trajectories statistical mixture detection in well-known experiment of the single photon interference (at double slit diaphragm or beam splitter). This phase transition or self-collapse can be considered as the spontaneous (non-dynamical) breaking (effective hiding) of the unitary symmetry (superposition) of quantum mechanical dynamics as an especial case of the general formalism of the spontaneous symmetry breaking. All this admits a consistent model of the detection or measurement procedure in the general case.
PACS number: 03.65.Ta In this work problem of the quantum mechanics, i.e. measurement process foundation is analyzed in the form of the Galileian dialogue. Also, a solution, by spontaneous (nondynamical) unitary symmetry (superposition) breaking (as an especial case of the spontaneous (non-dynamical) symmetry breaking) is suggested. ”Nothing is sure for me, but what’s uncertain: Obscure, whatsever is plainly clear to see: I’ve no doubt, except of everything certain: Science is what happens accidentally: I winn it all, yet a luser I am bound to bee”