Einstein against quantum mechanics: randomness, ignorance and our ignorance about randomness

算法玻姆力学中的分布假设

The Distribution Postulate in Algorithmic Bohmian Mechanics

针对玻姆力学中分布假设的理解问题，利用算法随机性理论将其表述为客观约束定律，确保典型量子实验的玻恩统计在极限下成立，并阐明量子概率在确定性理论中的地位。

Quantum Will: Determinism meets Quantum Mechanics

We present a brief non-technical introduction to the standing discussion on the relation between Quantum Mechanics and Determinism. Quantum Mechanics inherent randomness in the measurement process is sometimes presented as a door to explain free will. We argue against this interpretation. The possibility that Quantum Mechanics provides just an effective description of Nature which is only valid at our low-energy scales is also discussed.

Randomness: quantum versus classical

Recent tremendous development of quantum information theory led to a number of quantum technological projects, e.g., quantum random generators. This development stimulates a new wave of interest in quantum foundations. One of the most intriguing problems of quantum foundations is elaboration of a consistent and commonly accepted interpretation of quantum state. Closely related problem is clarification of the notion of quantum randomness and its interrelation with classical randomness. In this short review we shall discuss basics of classical theory of randomness (which by itself is very comple…

The subtle sound of quantum jumps

Could we hear the pop of a wave-function collapse, and if so, what would it sound like? There exist reconstructions or modifications of quantum mechanics (collapse models) where this archetypal signature of randomness exists and can in principle be witnessed. But, perhaps surprisingly, the resulting sound is disappointingly banal, indistinguishable from any other click. The problem of finding the right description of the world between two completely different classes of models -- where wave functions jump and where they do not -- is empirically undecidable. Behind this seemingly trivial observ…

Reflections on Zeilinger-Brukner information interpretation of quantum mechanics

In this short review I present my personal reflections on Zeilinger-Brukner information interpretation of quantum mechanics (QM). In general, this interpretation is very attractive for me. However, its rigid coupling to the notion of irreducible quantum randomness is a very complicated issue which I plan to address in more detail. This note may be useful for general public interested in quantum foundations, especially because I try to analyze essentials of the information interpretation critically (i.e., not just emphasizing its advantages as it is commonly done). This review is written in non…

The High-Energy Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

We address the issue of the interpretation of quantum mechanics by asking why the issue never arises in the description of high-energy interactions. We argue that several tenets of quantum mechanics, specifically the collapse of the wave function, follow directly once one accepts the essential randomness of fundamental interaction events. We then show that scale separation of fundamental interactions ensures that decoherent measurement can be unambiguously separated from the random quantum events. Finally, we argue that the fundamental symmetries of space and time guarantee the existence of a …

Foundations of statistical mechanics from symmetries of entanglement

Envariance -- entanglement assisted invariance -- is a recently discovered symmetry of composite quantum systems. We show that thermodynamic equilibrium states are fully characterized by their envariance. In particular, the microcanonical equilibrium of a system $\mathcal{S} $ with Hamiltonian $H_\mathcal{S}$ is a fully energetically degenerate quantum state envariant under every unitary transformation. The representation of the canonical equilibrium then follows from simply counting degenerate energy states. Our conceptually novel approach is free of mathematically ambiguous notions such as e…

Towards a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics providing a model of the physical world

It is argued that a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics is possible and useful. Current interpretations, from Copenhagen to many worlds are critically revisited. The difficulties for intuitive models of quantum physics are pointed out and possible solutions proposed. In particular the existence of discrete states, the quantum jumps, the alleged lack of objective properties, measurement theory, the probabilistic character of quantum physics, the wave-particle du- ality and the Bell inequalities are analyzed. The sketch of a realistic picture of the quantum world is presented. It rests…

Can free will emerge from determinism in quantum theory?

Quantum Mechanics is generally considered to be the ultimate theory capable of explaining the emergence of randomness by virtue of the quantum measurement process. Therefore, Quantum Mechanics can be thought of as God's wonderfully imaginative solution to the problem of providing His creatures with Free Will in an otherwise well-ordered Universe. Indeed, how could we dream of free will in the purely deterministic Universe envisioned by Laplace if everything ever to happen is predetermined by (and in principle calculable from) the actual conditions or even those existing at the time of the Big …