We show that it is possible to obtain a realistic and deterministic model, based on a previous work of John Bell, which reproduces the experimental predictions of the orthodox interpretation of quantum electrodynamics.
We introduce the idea of a {\it beable-guided quantum theory}. Beable-guided quantum theories (BGQT) are generalisations of quantum theory, inspired by Bell's concept of beables. They modify the quantum probabilities for some specified set of fundamental events, histories, or other elements of quasiclassical reality by probability laws that depend on the realised configuration of beables. For example, they may define an additional probability weight factor for a beable configuration, independent of the quantum dynamics. BGQT can be fitted to observational data to provide foils against which to…
From its earliest days nearly a century ago, quantum mechanics has proven itself to be a tremendously accurate yet intellectually unsatisfying theory to many. Not the least of its problems is that it is a theory about the results of measurements. As John Bell once said in introducing the concept of `beables', it should be possible to say what is rather than merely what is observed. In this essay I consider the question of whether a universe can be a (nonlocal) beable and what that implies about the fundamental nature of that universe. I conclude that a universe that is a beable within the fram…
Given an ontological model of a quantum system, a "genuine measurement," as opposed to a quantum measurement, means an experiment that determines the value of a beable, i.e., of a variable that, according to the model, has an actual value in nature before the experiment. We prove a theorem showing that in every ontological model, it is impossible to measure all beables. Put differently, there is no experiment that would reliably determine the ontic state. This result shows that the positivistic idea that a physical theory should only involve observable quantities is too optimistic.
Maximal Beable Subalgebras of Quantum-Mechanical Observables
给定一个有界量子力学观测量的代数(C*-代数的自伴部分)上的一个状态,我们研究那些关于给定状态对子代数的限制是无色散状态的混合的性质是最大的子代数--我们称之为最大“可”子代数(借用J. S. Bell)。我们还将我们的研究扩展到无界可观测量的代数理论(由R。Kadison),并展示了我们的结果如何阐明了一个坚实的数学基础的核心原则的正统哥本哈根解释的量子理论(如联合不确定性的正则共轭观测,和玻尔的辩护的完整性的量子理论的论点爱因斯坦,波多尔斯基和罗森)。
Bohm and Bell's approaches to the foundations of quantum mechanics share notable features with the contemporary Primitive Ontology perspective and Esfeld and Deckert minimalist ontology. For instance, all these programs consider ontological clarity a necessary condition to be met by every theoretical framework, promote scientific realism also in the quantum domain and strengthen the explanatory power of quantum theory. However, these approaches remarkably diverge from one another, since they employ different metaphysical principles leading to conflicting Weltanschaaungen. The principal aim of …
I argue that background freedom in quantum gravity automatically leads to a dissociation of the quantum state into states having a classical space. That is, interference is not completely well-defined for states with different space geometries, even if their linear combination is. Interference of states with different space geometry is still allowed at small scales, but precluded at macro-scales. Macrostates, including measuring devices, appear classical. The distribution of space geometries automatically gives the Born rule. The dissociation entails a kind of absolute decoherence, making the …
I expose nonrelativistic quantum electrodynamics in the Weyl-Wigner representation. Hence I prove that an approximation to first order in Planck constant has formal analogy with stochastic electrodynamics (SED), that is classical electrodynamics of charged particles immersed in a random radiation filling space. The analogy elucidates why SED agrees with quantum theory for particle Hamiltonians quadratic in coordinates and momenta, but fails otherwise.
We present a quantum algorithm for the calculation of scattering amplitudes of massive charged scalar particles in scalar quantum electrodynamics. Our algorithm is based on continuous-variable quantum computing architecture resulting in expo- nential speedup over classical methods. We derive a simple form of the Hamiltonian including interactions, and a straightforward implementation of the constraint due to gauge invariance.