We propose a realistic and nonlocal interpretation for quantum mechanics, which requires new mathematical, physical and philosophical foundations for space-time. Our theory violates Bell's inequality. We also discuss the cat paradox.
The discussion of the foundations of quantum mechanics is complicated by the fact that a number of different issues are closely entangled. Three of these issues are i) the interpretation of probability, ii) the choice between realist and empiricist interpretations of the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics, iii) the distinction between measurement and preparation. It will be demonstrated that an interpretation of violation of Bell's inequality by quantum mechanics as evidence of non-locality of the quantum world is a consequence of a particular choice between these alternatives. Also a distinction must be drawn between two forms of realism, viz. a) realist interpretations of quantum mechanics, b) the possibility of hidden-variables (sub-quantum) theories.
The discussion of the foundations of quantum mechanics is complicated by the fact that a number of different issues are closely entangled. Three of these issues are i) the interpretation of probability, ii) the choice between realist and empiricist interpretations of the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics, iii) the distinction between measurement and preparation. It will be demonstrated that an interpretation of violation of Bell's inequality by quantum mechanics as evidence of non-locality of the quantum world is a consequence of a particular choice between these alternatives. Also a distinction must be drawn between two forms of realism, viz. a) realist interpretations of quantum mechanics, b) the possibility of hidden-variables (sub-quantum) theories.
We show that one may interpret physical reality as random fields in space-time. These have a probability given by the expectation of a coherent state projection operator, called the Q-function. The resulting dynamical evolution includes retrocausal effects. This suggests that a physical universe exists without requiring observers, but with a well-defined probability for its field configuration. By including the meter dynamics, we show that field trajectories have quantum measurement properties without wave-function collapse, including sharp measured eigenvalues. We treat continuous and discrete measurements, and show that this model predicts Bell inequality violations for measurements on correlated spins. A discussion is give of a number of well-known quantum paradoxes, showing how these can be treated in a realistic model of measurement. Our theory resolves a number of practical and philosophical issues in quantum measurement, and we compare it with earlier theories.
This conference is one of a series of Vaxjo conferences on the foundations of quantummechanics. The main aim of this conference was to understand the role that probability plays in the foundations of physics, theoretical as well as experimental. It should be emphasized that nowadays the problems of probabilistic foundations are not of purely theoretical interest. These problems play a fundamental role in future development of quantum computing and cryptography. At this conference we were fortunate to have a mixture of outstanding physicists, mathematicians, and even philosophers interested in scientific foundations in attendance. The following problems were discussed: unification of classical and quantum probability theories, EPR-Bohm and theoriginal EPR experiments, Bell's inequality: interpretations of its violation and loopholes,simulation of EPR-Bohm correlations in the local realistic approach, nonlocality, contextual probabilistic models, subjective probability and quantum information, quantum logic, results of recent experiments in quantum information, philosophic foundations of probability and quantum mechanics, model theory, discrete time and dynamics.