A Simple Approach To Measurement in Quantum Mechanics

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2003.03413v1
• Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2020 02:08:26 GMT
• Title: A Simple Approach To Measurement in Quantum Mechanics
• Authors: Anthony Rizzi
• Abstract summary: A simple way, accessible to undergraduates, is given to understand measurements in quantum mechanics. The ensemble interpretation of quantum mechanics is natural and provides this simple access to the measurement problem.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: A simple way, accessible to undergraduates, is given to understand measurements in quantum mechanics. The ensemble interpretation of quantum mechanics is natural and provides this simple access to the measurement problem. This paper explains measurement in terms of this relatively young interpretation, first made rigorous by L. Ballentine starting in the 1970's. Its facility is demonstrated through a detailed explication of the Wigner Friend argument using the Stern Gerlach experiment. Following a recent textbook, this approach is developed further through analysis of free particle states as well as the Schrodinger cat paradox. Some pitfalls of the Copenhagen interpretation are drawn out.

Related papers

• Einstein's 1927 gedanken experiment: how to complete it and measure the collapse time of a spatially spread photon [55.2480439325792]
  Einstein discussed a gedanken experiment involving a single photon diffracted at an aperture and impinging on a screen. He devised the example to support De Broglie's hypothesis of the pilot wave, and his own ideas on the incompleteness of the description of physical reality provided by Quantum Mechanics. Partial realizations of Einstein's example have been performed, but the complete experiment has not been attempted (for good practical reasons) yet.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-03-11T18:10:12Z)
• How to be a Copenhagenistic-QBistic Everettist? [0.0]
  We try to put quantum measurements in the context of a broader physical picture. In this way, we want to understand which aspects of quantum measurements are important to mainstream interpretations of quantum mechanics.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-10-18T09:49:19Z)
• A Short Guide to Quantum Mechanics -- Some Basic Principles [0.0]
  It starts by asking whether quantum physics is important, or weird, or incomprehensible. It explains why particles sometimes behave like waves, and how uncertainty and randomness enter physics. Modern topics, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and quantum computing are also covered.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-08-01T17:14:54Z)
• A computational test of quantum contextuality, and even simpler proofs of quantumness [43.25018099464869]
  We show that an arbitrary contextuality game can be compiled into an operational "test of contextuality" involving a single quantum device. Our work can be seen as using cryptography to enforce spatial separation within subsystems of a single quantum device.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-05-10T19:30:23Z)
• Two Results in the Quantum Theory of Measurements [44.99833362998488]
  The first one clarifies and amends von Neumann's Measurement Postulate used in the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. The second one clarifies the relationship between events'' and measurements'' and the meaning of measurements in the $ETH$-Approach to quantum mechanics.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-12-01T14:05:04Z)
• Schr\"odinger cat states of a 16-microgram mechanical oscillator [54.35850218188371]
  The superposition principle is one of the most fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. Here we demonstrate the preparation of a mechanical resonator with an effective mass of 16.2 micrograms in Schr"odinger cat states of motion. We show control over the size and phase of the superposition and investigate the decoherence dynamics of these states.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-11-01T13:29:44Z)
• Quantum state inference from coarse-grained descriptions: analysis and an application to quantum thermodynamics [101.18253437732933]
  We compare the Maximum Entropy Principle method, with the recently proposed Average Assignment Map method. Despite the fact that the assigned descriptions respect the measured constraints, the descriptions differ in scenarios that go beyond the traditional system-environment structure.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-05-16T19:42:24Z)
• A realistic model for completing Quantum Mechanics [0.0]
  In Copenhagen the physical objects and the experimental results can be described only in a macroscopic language. The measurement problem is at the center of these difficulties, mainly because it requires the introduction of the reduction process of the wave function. We build up and propose a model which is able to solve the measurement problem and all the other difficulties which, in a way or in another, are related to it.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-04-26T16:41:41Z)
• The Time-Evolution of States in Quantum Mechanics [77.34726150561087]
  It is argued that the Schr"odinger equation does not yield a correct description of the quantum-mechanical time evolution of states of isolated (open) systems featuring events. A precise general law for the time evolution of states replacing the Schr"odinger equation is formulated within the so-called ETH-Approach to Quantum Mechanics.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-01-04T16:09:10Z)
• Schrodinger's original quantum-mechanical solution for hydrogen [0.0]
  In his first paper, Erwin Schrodinger solved the Schrodinger equation using the Laplace method. We show how the Laplace method can be used to solve for the quantum-mechanical energy eigenfunctions of the hydrogen atom.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-07-24T21:23:26Z)
• A Quantum G\"odelian Hunch [0.0]
  This essay aims at arguing for such G"odelian hunch via two case studies. The theological motivational origin of quantum contextuality is introduced in order to show how this result might be related to a Liar-like undecidability. A personal analysis of the related Wigner's friend thought experiment and and a recent paradox by Frauchiger and Renner is presented.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-05-07T11:22:20Z)
• Quantum Mechanical description of Bell's experiment assumes Locality [91.3755431537592]
  Bell's experiment description assumes the (Quantum Mechanics-language equivalent of the classical) condition of Locality. This result is complementary to a recently published one demonstrating that non-Locality is necessary to describe said experiment. It is concluded that, within the framework of Quantum Mechanics, there is absolutely no reason to believe in the existence of non-Local effects.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-02-27T15:04:08Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.