An intrinsic causality principle in histories-based quantum theory: a proposal

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2305.16828v1
• Date: Fri, 26 May 2023 11:13:53 GMT
• Title: An intrinsic causality principle in histories-based quantum theory: a proposal
• Authors: Fay Dowker and Rafael D. Sorkin
• Abstract summary: We argue that histories-based quantum theories are nonlocal in spacetime. RC per se has very little to say on the matter of which correlations can occur in nature and which cannot.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Relativistic causality (RC) is the principle that no cause can act outside its future lightcone, but any attempt to formulate this principle more precisely will depend on the foundational framework that one adopts for quantum theory. Adopting a histories-based (or "path integral") framework, we relate RC to a condition we term "Persistence of Zero" (PoZ), according to which an event $E$ of measure zero remains forbidden if one forms its conjunction with any other event associated to a spacetime region that is later than or spacelike to that of $E$. We also relate PoZ to the Bell inequalities by showing that, in combination with a second, more technical condition it leads to the quantal counterpart of Fine's patching theorem in much the same way as Bell's condition of Local Causality leads to Fine's original theorem. We then argue that RC per se has very little to say on the matter of which correlations can occur in nature and which cannot. From the point of view we arrive at, histories-based quantum theories are nonlocal in spacetime, and fully in compliance with relativistic causality.

Related papers

• Fundamental limits for realising quantum processes in spacetime [1.7802147489386633]
  We derive no-go theorems for quantum experiments realisable in classical background spacetimes. Our first theorem implies that realisations of ICO processes that do not violate relativistic causality must involve the non-localization of systems in spacetime. The second theorem shows that for any such realisation of an ICO process, there exists a more fine-grained description in terms of a definite and acyclic causal order process.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-08-23T21:41:49Z)
• Real-time dynamics of false vacuum decay [49.1574468325115]
  We investigate false vacuum decay of a relativistic scalar field in the metastable minimum of an asymmetric double-well potential. We employ the non-perturbative framework of the two-particle irreducible (2PI) quantum effective action at next-to-leading order in a large-N expansion.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-10-06T12:44:48Z)
• A Measure-Theoretic Axiomatisation of Causality [55.6970314129444]
  We argue in favour of taking Kolmogorov's measure-theoretic axiomatisation of probability as the starting point towards an axiomatisation of causality. Our proposed framework is rigorously grounded in measure theory, but it also sheds light on long-standing limitations of existing frameworks.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-05-19T13:15:48Z)
• Quantum dynamics corresponding to chaotic BKL scenario [62.997667081978825]
  Quantization smears the gravitational singularity avoiding its localization in the configuration space. Results suggest that the generic singularity of general relativity can be avoided at quantum level.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-04-24T13:32:45Z)
• Three little paradoxes: making sense of semiclassical gravity [0.0]
  I show that an experiment by Page and Geilker does not exclude such a semiclassical theory. I present a classification of semiclassical models defined by the way in which the wave function collapse is introduced.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-01-25T16:54:49Z)
• Quantum superposition of spacetimes obeys Einstein's Equivalence Principle [0.0]
  We argue that the Equivalence Principle can be generalised so that it holds for reference frames associated to quantum systems in a superposition of spacetimes. This procedure reconciles the principle of linear superposition in Quantum Theory with the principle of general covariance and the Equivalence Principle of General Relativity.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-09-03T09:51:18Z)
• The Relativity Principle at the Foundation of Quantum Mechanics [0.0]
  We show how one principle, Information Invariance & Continuity, at the foundation of axiomatic reconstructions maps to "no preferred reference frame" This is in exact analogy to the relativity principle as it pertains to the invariant measurement of Planck's constant h for Stern-Gerlach (SG) spin measurements.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-07-14T19:11:28Z)
• Implications of Local Friendliness violation for quantum causality [0.0]
  We provide a new formulation of the Local Friendliness no-go theorem of Bong et al [Nat. Phys. 16, 1199 ( 2020)] from fundamental causal principles. quantum causal models have been proposed as a way to maintain a peaceful coexistence between quantum mechanics and relativistic causality.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-06-08T02:46:38Z)
• Quantum Causal Inference in the Presence of Hidden Common Causes: an Entropic Approach [34.77250498401055]
  We put forth a new theoretical framework for merging quantum information science and causal inference by exploiting entropic principles. We apply our proposed framework to an experimentally relevant scenario of identifying message senders on quantum noisy links. This approach can lay the foundations of identifying originators of malicious activity on future multi-node quantum networks.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-04-24T22:45:50Z)
• Observers of quantum systems cannot agree to disagree [55.41644538483948]
  We ask whether agreement between observers can serve as a physical principle that must hold for any theory of the world. We construct examples of (postquantum) no-signaling boxes where observers can agree to disagree.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-02-17T19:00:04Z)
• Bell's theorem for trajectories [62.997667081978825]
  A trajectory is not an outcome of a quantum measurement, in the sense that there is no observable associated with it. We show how to overcome this problem by considering a special case of our generic inequality that can be experimentally tested point-by-point in time.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-01-03T01:40:44Z)

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.