Published 2007 | Version v1
Journal article

Can quantum mechanics be shown to be incomplete in principle?

Creators

  • 1. Univ. Erfurt (Germany). Wissenschaftsphilosophie

Description

Given four plausible principles, quantum mechanics (QM) can be shown to contradict the standard expression of completeness, the eigenstate-eigenvalue link (EE). Consider: (P0) If, for a proposition A (describing a possible event), a theory T yields another proposition p(A)>0, then it is not the case that T, A perpendicular to. (P1) A QM probability, being of the form p([A]=ai)=Tr(W(t)P(ai)), is to be interpreted as p([A]=ai(t)) (''the probability that S has ai of A at t''). (P2) There is a parameter t within QM such that the expression [A]=ai is read as [A]=ai(t)(''S has ai of A at t''). (P3) Function P:S(H)→[0,1] (collecting the QM probabilities for some suitable Hilbert space H) can be defined as a generalised probability function. It is easy to show, for a non-eigenstate of some observable A and QM probabilities interpreted as prescribed by (P1), that (EE) transforms QM into a theory contradicting (P0). But (P0) is eminently plausible, so the defender of (EE) will naturally reject (P1). It can now be shown that retaining (P0) entails the rejection of all of (P1)-(P3). (orig.)

Availability note (English)

Also available online at: http://www.dpg-tagungen.de/index_en.html

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft
Journal Volume
42
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
[1 p.]
ISSN
0420-0195
CODEN
VDPEAZ

Conference

Title
DPG Spring meeting 2007 with the sections of gravitation and relativity theory, particle physics, theoretical and mathematical fundamentals of physics
Original Conference Title
DPG-Fruehjahrstagung 2007 der Fachverbaende Gravitation und Relativitaetstheorie,Teilchenphysik, Theoretische und Mathematische Grundlagen der Physik
Dates
5-9 Mar 2007
Place
Heidelberg (Germany)

INIS

Country of Publication
Germany
Country of Input or Organization
Germany
INIS RN
38103375
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
EIGENSTATES; EIGENVALUES; HILBERT SPACE; PROBABILITY; PROBABILITY DENSITY FUNCTIONS; QUANTUM MECHANICS
Descriptors DEC
BANACH SPACE; FUNCTIONS; MATHEMATICAL SPACE; MECHANICS; SPACE

Optional Information

Notes
Session: AKPhil 7.3 Do 17:45. No further information available