In the paper with the above title, D. T. Gillespie [Phys. Rev. A 49, 1607, (1994)] claims that the theory of Markov stochastic processes cannot provide an adequate mathematical framework for quantum mechanics. In conjunction with the specific quantum dynamics considered there, we give a general analysis of the associated dichotomic jump processes. If we assume that Gillespie's "measurement probabilities" \it are \rm the transition probabilities of a stochastic process, then the process must have an invariant (time independent) probability measure. Alternatively, if we demand the probability measure of the process to follow the quantally implemented (via the Born statistical postulate) evolution, then we arrive at the jump process which \it can \rm be interpreted as a Markov process if restricted to a suitable duration time. However, there is no corresponding Markov process consistent with the $Z_2$ event space assumption, if we require its existence for all times $t\in R_+$.
This comment on the recently published article "Why Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen did not prove that quantum mechanics is 'incomplete'" (arXiv:0805.0217) by J.H.Field shows that some conclusions, made in the referred-to article, result from an invalid use of dirac delta-distributions.
It is shown that the model introduced by Cabello et al. to criticize the Franson experiment suffers from the same weakness as the previous model introduced by Aerts et al. with the same purpose. It is also shown why we can assume with confidence that the Franson experiment does violate local realism.
Our article [arXiv:2111.13727(2021)] argues that the phenomenology of interference that is traditionally regarded as problematic does not, in fact, capture the essence of quantum theory -- contrary to the claims of Feynman and many others. It does so by demonstrating the existence of a physical theory, which we term the "toy field theory", that reproduces this phenomenology but which does not sacrifice the classical worldview. In their Comment [arXiv:2204.01768(2022)], Hance and Hossenfelder dispute our claim. Correcting mistaken claims found therein and responding to their criticisms provides…
In Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 120404 (2014) [arXiv:1403.2362], Ferrie and Combes claim that weak values could be a statistical artifact caused by correlations between the disturbance and the post-selection condition imposed on the output. In this comment, we show that the disturbance caused by a weak measurement is sufficiently low to definitely rule out the model proposed by Ferrie and Combes.
We show in this Comment that the interpretation of experimental data as well as the theory presented in Atatüre et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 618 (2000)] are incorrect and discuss why such a scheme cannot be used to "recover" high-visibility quantum interference.
A simple approach for understanding the quantum nature of angular momentum and its reduction to the classical limit is presented based on Schwinger's coupled-boson representation. This approach leads to a straightforward explanation of why the square of the angular momentum in quantum mechanics is given by j(j+1) instead of just j^2, where j is the angular momentum quantum number.
This paper contains a criticism of the article: Ch. Simon, V. Buzek and N. Gisin: ``No-Signaling Condition and Quantum Dynamics'', Phys. Rev. Lett. 87 (2001) 170405, containing a proposal of adoption into quantum mechanics (QM) a new basic axiom. This axiom was declared to imply linearity of time evolution in QM on the basis of kinematic assumptions only. It is shown why, under the considered conditions, the axiom called ``no-signaling condition'' is not effective.
The question raised by [Bastin and Martin 2003 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 36, 4201] is examined and used to explain in more detail a key point of our calculations. They have sought to rebut criticisms raised by us of certain techniques used in the calculation of the off-resonance case. It is also explained why this result is not a problem for the off-resonance case, but, on the contrary, opens the door to a general situation. Their comment is based on a blatant misunderstanding of our proposal and as such is simply wrong.
In a recent Letter (Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{98}, 083601 (2007), arXiv:cond-mat/0610804), O. Assaf and E. Akkermans claim that the angular correlations of the light intensity scattered by a cloud of cold atoms with internal degeneracy (Zeeman sublevels) of the ground state overcome the usual Rayleigh law. More precisely, they found that they become exponentially large with the size of the sample. In what follows, we will explain why their results are wrong and, in contrary, why the internal degeneracy leads to lower intensity correlations.
A recent proof, formulated in the symbolic language of modal logic, shows that a well-defined formulation of the possibility mentioned in the title is answered affirmatively. In the paper being commented upon several proposals were made about how to translate this symbolic proof into prose, and it was concluded, on the basis of those proposed translations, that either the proof was invalid or that an unwarranted reality assumption was made. However, those interpretations deviate in small but important ways from the precise logical path followed in the proof. It is explained here how by staying…
The experimental observation of effects due to Berry's phase in quantum systems is certainly one of the most impressive demonstrations of the correctness of the superposition principle in quantum mechanics. Since Berry's original paper in 1984, the spin 1/2 coupled with rotating external magnetic field has been one of the most studied models where those phases appear. We also consider a special case of this soluble model. A detailed analysis of the coupled differential equations and comparison with exact results teach us why the usual procedure (of neglecting nondiagonal terms) is mathematical…
In this short note I reply to criticisms of an argument in my paper [1] that appear in comment [2]. I refer the reader to section 4 of [1] in which I described the scenario of a Gedankenexperiment on which is based the argument criticized in [2]. The authors of [2] raise one "main criticism" then go on to claim that the argument of [1] contains a series of problems. But their "main criticism" is not an objection to the argument and the problems are of their own making. In replying to what they call their main criticism I will take this opportunity to exhibit the structure of the argument and s…
A recent Letter by Hess and Philipp claims that Bell's theorem neglects the possibility of time-like dependence in local hidden variables, hence is not conclusive. Moreover the authors claim that they have constructed, in an earlier paper, a local realistic model of the EPR correlations. However, they themselves have neglected the experimenter's freedom to choose settings, while on the other hand, Bell's theorem can be formulated to cope with time-like dependence. This in itself proves that their toy model cannot satisfy local realism, but we also indicate where their proof of its local realis…
Mohrhoff proposes using the Aharonov-Bergmann-Lebowitz (ABL) rule for time-symmetric ``objective'' (meaning non-epistemic) probabilities corresponding to the possible outcomes of not-actually-performed measurements between specified pre- and post-selection measurement outcomes. It is emphasized that the ABL rule was formulated on the assumption that such intervening measurements are actually made and that it does not necessarily apply to counterfactual situations. The exact nature of the application of the ABL rule considered by Mohrhoff is made explicit and is shown to fall short of his state…
The view exists that the Bell inequality is a mere inconsistent application of classical concepts to a well-established quantum world. In the article, ``Nonlocality claims are inconsistent with Hilbert-space quantum mechanics'' [Phys. Rev. A, 101, 022117, (2020)], Robert B. Griffiths advocates for quantum theory's locality. Although R. B. Griffiths presents valuable insights in favor of quantum mechanics' local character, he argues the Bell inequality is an inconsistent application of classical physics to quantum mechanics. We explain why a correct assessment of the Bell inequality does not in…
These are the notes written for the talk given at the workshop Rethinking foundations of physics 2016. In section 2, a derivation of the the quantum formalism starting from propositional calculus (quantum logic) is reviewed, pointing out which are the basic requirements that lead to the use of Hilbert spaces. In section 3, a similar analysis is done following for the reconstruction of quantum theory using an operational approach. In both cases, non-commutativity plays a crucial role. Finally, in section 4a toy model which try to motivate non-commutativity is proposed. Despite this last section…
In our Letter we proposed a scheme for nondeterministic quantum nondemolition (QND) measurement of the polarization of a single photon--a photonic qubit--using linear optics and photodetection. The scheme works with nonunit probability, but success is heralded by the detection of a single photon in the meter output. We provided an experimental demonstration of this scheme and introduced three universally applicable fidelity measures--the measurement fidelity F_M, the quantum state preparation fidelity F_QSP, and the QND fidelity F_QND--to quantify its performance. The claim of Kok and Munro in…
This is a short reply to arXiv:2112.00436v1 and arXiv:2111.09347v1 by C. Bracken, J.R. Hance, and S. Hossenfelder. I precise some elements concerning i) the methodology of my previous version of the comment [arXiv:2111.13357v3] to arXiv:2111.09347v1, and ii) why the grand father-paradox (causal loop) presented in their article comes from a prejudice concerning retrocausality not from retrocausality or locality themselves.
A new quantum ontology of quantum mechanics has been proposed recently. This ontology is based on impossible to realize measurements which need to be performed repeatedly on the same single physical system or on the same pair of physical systems. We agree that quantum mechanics is a contextual theory and that the experimental contexts have to be a part of any description of quantum phenomena but in our opinion this new ontology is neither convincing nor useful. In particular the authors claim that their ontology explains the peaceful coexistence between quantum mechanics and relativity in spin…
Contrary to the opinion of J. Polchinski [Phys.Rev.Lett. {\bf 66}, 397-400 (1991)], the phenomenon of superluminal messages in nonlinear versions of quantum mechanics is not a specific difficulty in a class of theories formulated by S. Weinberg [Ann.Phys. (N.Y.), {\bf 194}, 336-386 (1989)]. It appears in all schemes which try to enlarge the orthodox class of observables, while conserving the traditional structure of the pure and mixed states.
Our recent paper (arXiv:1701.04298 [quant-ph]) discussed the occurrence of a coupling of centre of mass and internal degrees of freedom for complex quantum systems in non-inertial frames. There, we pointed out that an external force supporting the system against gravity plays a crucial role for the coupling between center of mass position to the internal degrees of freedom. In a comment (arXiv:1702.06670 [quant-ph]) to our paper, Pikovski et al. question our conclusion and present the argument that the lack of the coupling term would be in contradiction with the observation of gravitational ti…
We point out how some mathematically incorrect passages in the paper of M. Reuter can be formulated in a rigorous way. The fibre bundle approach to quantum mechanics developed in quant-ph/9803083, quant-ph/9803084, quant-ph/9804062, quant-ph/9806046, quant-ph/9901039, and quant-ph/9902068 is compared with the one contained in loc. cit.
Many quantum control problems are formulated as a search for an optimal field that maximizes a physical objective. This search is performed over a landscape defined as the objective as a function of the control field. A recent Letter [A. N. Pechen and D. J. Tannor, Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 120402 (2011)] asserts that the existence of special landscape critical points (CPs) with trapping characteristics is "contrary to recent claims in the literature" and "can have profound implications for both theoretical and experimental quantum control studies." We show here that these assertions are inaccurat…
We explain why the main conclusion of Bender et al, hep-th/0511229 [J. Phys. A 39 (2006) 1657] regarding the practical superiority of the non-Hermitian description of PT-symmetric quantum systems over their Hermitian description is not valid. Recalling the essential role played by the Hermitian description in the characterization and interpretation of the physical observables, we maintain that as far as the physical aspects of the theory are concerned the Hermitian description is not only unavoidable but also indispensable.
In their recent paper [Nature Physics 15, 451 (2006)], Sakmann and Kasevich study the formation of fringe patterns in ultra-cold Bose gases and claim: `Here, we show how single shots can be simulated from numerical solutions of the time-dependent many-body Schrödinger equation.' It would be remarkable if they had solved this exponentially complex equation. Instead they solve nonlinear equations with the aim to approximate the solution of the Schrödinger equation. The authors proceed to criticize phase-space approaches to simulating quantum dynamics and claim the impossibility of interpreting s…
According to GSI experiment Phys.Lett.B 664, 162 (2008), the rate of the daughter ion production by the K-shell electron capture (with neutrino emission) in H-like ions 142Pm, 140Pr and 152I is modulated with a period of 6 to 7 seconds. In PRL 103, 062502, 2009 by Ivanov and Kienle (also by Lipkin}) there is a claim that neutrino oscillations may explain this result. In arXiv:0811.2302 by Lambiase et al a different explanation is suggested which is based on the rotation of electron and nuclear spins. The aim of this Comment is to show why these explanations are not satisfactory and to discuss …
