Can quantum mechanics be shown to be incomplete in principle?
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.htmlAdditional details
Identifiers
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