In: "Potentiality, Entanglement and Passion-at-a-Distance: Quantum Mechanical Studies for Abner Shimony." Eds. R.S. Cohen, M.A. Horne, J. Stachel, Kluwer, Dordrecht, 1997, pp. 61-70.
We explore the sense in which the state of a physical system may or may not be regarded (an) observable in quantum mechanics. Simple and general arguments from various lines of approach are reviewed which demonstrate the following no-go claims: (1) the structure of quantum mechanics precludes the determination of the state of a single system by means of measurements performed on that system only; (2) there is no way of using entangled two-particle states to transmit superluminal signals. Employing the representation of observables as general positive operator valued measures, our analysis allows one to indicate whether optimal separation of different states is achieved by means of sharp or unsharp observables.
Bohm Mechanics and Nelson Stochastic Mechanics are confronted with Quantum Mechanics in presence of non-interacting subsystems. In both cases, it is shown that correlations at different times of compatible position observables on stationary states agree with Quantum Mechanics only in the case of product wave functions. By appropriate Bell-like inequalities it is shown that no classical theory, in particular no stochastic process, can reproduce the quantum mechanical correlations of position variables of non interacting systems at different times.
The concept of intrinsic and operational observables in quantum mechanics is introduced. In any realistic description of a quantum measurement that includes a macroscopic detecting device, it is possible to construct from the statistics of the recorded raw data a set of operational quantities that correspond to the intrinsic quantum mechanical observable.
A subclass of dynamical semigroups induced by the interaction of a quantum system with an environment is introduced. Such semigroups lead to the selection of a stable subalgebra of effective observables. The structure of this subalgebra is completely determined.
This is an up-to-date survey of the p-mechanical construction (see funct-an/9405002, quant-ph/9610016, math-ph/0007030, quant-ph/0212101, quant-ph/0303142), which is a consistent physical theory suitable for a simultaneous description of classical and quantum mechanics. Observables in p-mechanics are defined to be convolution operators on the Heisenberg group H^n. Under irreducible representations of H^n the p-observables generate corresponding observables in classical and quantum mechanics. p-States are defined as positive linear functionals on p-observables. It is shown that both states and …
This paper presents some of the basic properties of conditioned observables in finite-dimensional quantum mechanics. We begin by defining the sequential product of quantum effects and use this to define the sequential product of two observables. The sequential product is then employed to construct the conditioned observable relative to another observable. We then show that conditioning preserves mixtures and post-process of observables. We consider conditioning among three observables and a complement of an observable. Corresponding to an observable, we define an observable operator in a natur…
We consider a general symplectic transformation (also known as linear canonical transformation) of quantum-mechanical observables in a quantized version of a finite-dimensional system with configuration space isomorphic to $ \mathbb{R}^{q} $. Using the formalism of rigged Hilbert spaces, we define eigenstates for all the observables. Then we work out the explicit form of the corresponding transformation of these eigenstates. A few examples are included at the end of the paper.
Four common optimality criteria for measurements are formulated using relations in the set of observables, and their connections are clarified. As case studies, 1-0 observables, localization observables, and photon counting observables are considered.
Quantum information-theoretic approach has been identified as a way to understand the foundations of quantum mechanics as early as 1950 due to Shannon. However there hasn't been enough advancement or rigorous development of the subject. In the following paper we try to find relationship between a general quantum mechanical observable and it von Neumann entropy. We find that the expectation values and the uncertainties of the observables have bounds which depend on the entropy. The results also show that von Neumann entropy is not just the uncertainty of the state but also encompasses the infor…
The concept of intrinsic and operational observables in quantum mechanics is introduced. It is argued that, in any realistic description of a quantum measurement that includes a detecting device, it is possible to construct from the statistics of the recorded raw data a set of operational quantities that correspond to the intrinsic quantum mechanical observable. Using the concept of the propensity and the associated operational positive operator valued measure (POVM) a general description of the operational algebra of quantum mechanical observables is derived for a wide class of realistic dete…
The conformability of angular observales (angular momentum and azimuthal angle) with the mathematical rules of quantum mechanics is a question which still rouses debates. It is valued negatively within the existing approaches which are restricted by two amendable presumptions. If the respective presumptions are removed one can obtain a general approach in which the mentioned question is valued positively.
We present a scheme for realization of quantum mechanical weak values of observables using entangled photons produced in parametric down conversion. We consider the case when the signal and idler modes are respectively in a coherent state and vacuum. We use a low efficiency detector to detect the photons in the idler mode.This weak detection leads to a large displacement and fluctuations in the signal field's quantum state which can be studied by monitoring the photon number and quadrature distributions.
There are self-adjoint operators which determine both spectral and semispectral measures. These measures have very different commutativity and covariance properties. This fact poses a serious question on the physical meaning of such a self-adjoint operator and its associated operator measures.
We propose a quantum clock synchronization protocol in which Bob makes a remote measurement on Alice's quantum clock via a third qubit acting as its proxy. It is shown that the resulting correlations are dependent on the choice of the hypersurface along which Bob's measurement of the proxy is deemed to collapse the entangled state vector. A proper characterization of observables in relativistic quantum mechanics is therefore constrained by relativistic covariance as well as causality.
The quantum-mechanical state vector is not directly observable even though it is the fundamental variable that appears in Schrodinger's equation. In conventional time-dependent perturbation theory, the state vector must be calculated before the experimentally-observable expectation values of relevant operators can be computed. We discuss an alternative form of time-dependent perturbation theory in which the observable expectation values are calculated directly and expressed in the form of nested commutators. This result is consistent with the fact that the commutation relations determine the p…
We apply the machinery of projection lattices and von Neumann algebras to analyze the question of how modal interpretations can (and do) circumvent von Neumann's infamous 'no-hidden-variables' theorem.
We present a reformulation of quantum mechanics in terms of probability measures and functions on a general classical sample space and in particular in terms of probability densities and functions on phase space. The basis of our proceeding is the existence of so-called statistically complete observables and the duality between the state spaces and the spaces of the observables, the latter holding in the quantum as well as in the classical case. In the phase-space context, we further discuss joint position-momentum observables, Hilbert spaces of infinitely differentiable functions on phase spa…
The notion coexistence of quantum observables was introduced to describe the possibility of measuring two or more observables together. Here we survey the various different formalisations of this notion and their connections. We review examples illustrating the necessary degrees of unsharpness for two noncommuting observables to be jointly measurable (in one sense of the phrase). We demonstrate the possibility of measuring together (in another sense of the phrase) noncoexistent observables. This leads us to a reconsideration of the connection between joint measurability and noncommutativity of…
There are considered some corollaries of certain hypotheses on the observation process of microphenomena. We show that an enlargement of the phase space and of its motion group and an account for the diffusion motions of microsystems in the enlarged space, the motions which act by small random translations along the enlarged group, lead to observable quantum effects. This approach enables one to recover probability distributions in the phase space for wave functions. The parameters of the model considered here are estimated on the base of Lamb's shift in the spectrum of the hydrogen's atom.
Quantum mechanics predicts the joint probability distribution of the outcomes of simultaneous measurements of commuting observables, but, in the state of the art, has lacked the operational definition of simultaneous measurements. The question is answered as to when the consecutive applications of measuring apparatuses give a simultaneous measurement of their observables. For this purpose, all the possible state reductions caused by measurements of an observable is also characterized by their operations.
Bell's theorem is a statement by which averages obtained from specific types of statistical distributions must conform to a family of inequalities. These models, in accordance with the EPR argument, provide for the simultaneous existence of quantum mechanically incompatible quantities. We first recall several contradictions arising between the assumption of a joint distribution for incompatible observables and the probability structure of quantum-mechanics, and conclude that Bell's theorem is not expected to be relevant to quantum phenomena described by non-commuting observables, irrespective …
Symplectic and optical joint probability representations of quantum mechanics are considered, in which the functions describing the states are the probability distributions with all random arguments (except the argument of time ). The general formalism of quantizers and dequantizers determining the star product quantization scheme in these representations is given. Taking the Gaussian functions as the distributions of the tomographic parameters the correspondence rules for most interesting physical operators are found and the expressions of the dual symbols of operators in the form of singular…
Complementarity principle is one of the central concepts in quantum mechanics which restricts joint measurement for certain observables. Of course, later development shows that joint measurement could be possible for such observables with the introduction of a certain degree of unsharpness or fuzziness in the measurement. In this paper, we show that the optimal degree of unsharpness, which guarantees the joint measurement of all possible pairs of dichotomic observables, determines the degree of nonlocality in quantum mechanics as well as in more general no-signaling theories.
In the Hilbert space formulation of classical mechanics (CM), pioneered by Koopman and von Neumann (KvN), there are potentially more observables that in the standard approach to CM. In this paper we show that actually many of those extra observables are not invariant under a set of universal local symmetries which appear once the KvN is extended to include the evolution of differential forms. Because of their non-invariance, those extra observables have to be removed. This removal makes the superposition of states in KvN, and as a consequence also in CM, impossible.
Bohmian mechnaics is the most naively obvious embedding imaginable of Schrödingers's equation into a completely coherent physical theory. It describes a world in which particles move in a highly non-Newtonian sort of way, one which may at first appear to have little to do with the spectrum of predictions of quantum mechanics. It turns out, however, that as a consequence of the defining dynamical equations of Bohmian mechanics, when a system has wave function $ψ$ its configuration is typically random, with probability density $ρ$ given by $|ψ|^2$, the quantum equilibrium distribution. It also t…
We examine the longstanding problem of introducing a time observable in Quantum Mechanics; using the formalism of positive-operator-valued measures we show how to define such an observable in a natural way and we discuss some consequences.
Quantum mechanics is potentially advantageous for certain information-processing tasks, but its probabilistic nature and requirement of measurement back action often limit the precision of conventional classical information-processing devices, such as sensors and atomic clocks. Here we show that by engineering the dynamics of coupled quantum systems, it is possible to construct a subsystem that evades the measurement back action of quantum mechanics, at all times of interest, and obeys any classical dynamics, linear or nonlinear, that we choose. We call such a system a quantum-mechanics-free s…
The best mathematical arguments against a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics - that gives definite but partially unknown values to all observables - are analysed and shown to be based on reasoning that is not compelling. This opens the door for an interpretation that, while respecting the indeterministic nature of quantum mechanics, allows to speak of definite values for all observables at any time that are, however, only partially measurable. The analysis also suggests new ways to test the foundations of quantum theory.
Svensson [Found. Phys. 45, 1645 (2015)] argued that the concept of the weak value of an observable of a pre- and post-selected quantum system cannot be applied when the expectation value of the observable in the initial state vanishes. Svensson's argument is analyzed and shown to be inconsistent using several examples.
Some results are reviewed and developments are presented on the study of Time in quantum mechanics as an observable, canonically conjugate to energy. Operators for the observable Time are investigated in particle and photon quantum theory. In particular, this paper deals with the hermitian (more precisely, maximal hermitian, but non-selfadjoint) operator for Time which appears: (i) for particles, in ordinary non-relativistic quantum mechanics; and (ii) for photons, in first-quantization quantum electrodynamics.
By making use of the Weyl-Wigner-Groenewold-Moyal association rules, a commutative product and a new quantum bracket are constructed in the ring of operators \cal{F}(H). In this way, an isomorphism between Lie algebra of classical observables (with Poisson bracket) and the Lie algebra of quantum observables with this new bracket is established. By these observations, a formulation of the classical mechanics in \cal{F}(H} is obtained and is shown to be \hbar\to 0 limit of the Heisenberg picture formulation of the quantum mechanics.
It is shown that quantum mechanics is noncontextual if quantum properties are represented by subspaces of the quantum Hilbert space (as proposed by von Neumann) rather than by hidden variables. In particular, a measurement using an appropriately constructed apparatus can be shown to reveal the value of an observable A possessed by the measured system before the measurement took place, whatever other compatible ([B,A]=0) observable B may be measured at the same time.
Quantum mechanical time operator is introduced following the parametric formulation of classical mechanics in the extended phase space. Quantum constraint on the extended quantum system is defined in analogy to the constraint of the classical extended system, and is interpreted as the condition defining the space of physical events. It is seen that the peculiar properties of the time observable, otherwise obtained in the models of time measurement, are of the classical origin, (i.e.), due to the quantized classical constraint of the parametric Hamiltonian dynamics.
Aim of this paper is to show the possible significance, and usefulness, of various non-selfadjoint operators for suitable Observables in non relativistic and relativistic quantum mechanics, and in quantum electrodynamics. More specifically, this work starts dealing with: (i) the maximal hermitian (but not selfadjoint) Time operator in non-relativistic quantum mechanics and in quantum electrodynamics; and with: (ii) the problem of the four-position and four-momentum operators, each one with its hermitian and anti-hermitian parts, for relativistic spin-zero particles. Afterwards, other physicall…
In this work we present a re-evaluation of the concept of time in non-relativistic quantum theory. We suggest a formalism in which time is changed into the status of an operator, and where expectation values of observables and the state of a quantum system are reworked. This approach leads us to an additional concept, given by a temporal probability distribution associated with the actual measurement of an observable.
The solutions of the time independent Schrodinger equation for non-Hermitian (NH) Hamiltonians have been extensively studied and calculated in many different fields of physics by using L^2 methods that originally have been developed for the calculations of bound states. The existing non-Hermitian formalism breaks down when dealing with wavepackets(WP). An open question is how time dependent expectation values can be calculated when the Hamiltonian is NH ? Using the F-product formalism, which was recently proposed, [J. Phys. Chem., 107, 7181 (2003)] we calculate the time dependent expectation v…
Several situations, in which an empty wave causes an observable effect, are reviewed. They include an experiment showing ``surrealistic trajectories'' proposed by Englert et al. and protective measurement of the density of the quantum state. Conditions for observable effects due to empty waves are derived. The possibility (in spite of the existence of these examples) of minimalistic interpretation of Bohmian Quantum Mechanics in which only Bohmian positions supervene on our experience is discussed.
We study the uncertainties of quantum mechanical observables, quantified by the standard deviation (square root of variance) in Haar-distributed random pure states. We derive analytically the probability density functions (PDFs) of the uncertainties of arbitrary qubit observables. Based on these PDFs, the uncertainty regions of the observables are characterized by the supports of the PDFs. The state-independent uncertainty relations are then transformed into the optimization problems over uncertainty regions, which opens a new vista for studying state independent uncertainty relations. Our res…
Being one of the centroidal concepts in quantum theory, the fundamental constraint imposed by Heisenberg uncertainty relations has always been a subject of immense attention and challenging in the context of joint measurements of general quantum mechanical observables. In particular, the recent extension of the original uncertainty relations has grabbed a distinct research focus and set a new ascendent target in quantum mechanics and quantum information processing. In the present work we explore the joint measurements of three incompatible observables, following the basic idea of a newly propo…
We propose a general construction of an observable measuring the time of occurence of an effect in quantum theory. Time delay in potential scattering is computed as a straightforward application.
On the base of symplectic quantum tomogram we define a probability distribution on the plane. The dual map transfers all observables which are polynomials of the position and momentum operators to the set of polynomials of two variables. In this representation the average values of observables can be calculated by means of integration over all the plane.
The most peculiar, specifically quantum, features of quantum mechanics --- quantum nonlocality, indeterminism, interference of probabilities, quantization, wave function collapse during measurement --- are explained on a logical-geometrical basis. It is shown that truths of logical statements about numerical values of quantum observables are quantum observables themselves and are represented in quantum mechanics by density matrices of pure states. Structurally, quantum mechanics is a result of applying non-Abelian symmetries to truth operators and their eigenvectors --- wave functions. Wave fu…
The nonrelativistic Schroedinger equation for motion of a structureless particle in four-dimensional space-time entails a well-known expression for the conserved four-vector field of local probability density and current that are associated with a quantum state solution to the equation. Under the physical assumption that each spatial, as well as the temporal, component of this current is observable, the position in time becomes an operator and an observable in that the weighted average value of the time of the particle's crossing of a complete hyperplane can be simply defined: ... When the spa…
The symmetrized product for quantum mechanical observables is defined. It is seen as consisting of the ordinary multiplication and the application of the superoperator that orders the operators of coordinate and momentum. This superoperator is defined in a way that allows obstruction free quantization when the observables are considered from the point of view of the algebra. Then, the operatorial version of the Poisson bracket is defined. It is shown that it has all properties of the Lie bracket and that it can substitute the commutator in the von Neumann equation.
We construct a non-Grassmann spinning-particle model which, by analogy with quantum mechanics, does not admit the notion of a trajectory within the position space. The pseudo-classical character of the model allows us to avoid the inconsistencies arising in the quantum-mechanical interpretation of a one-particle sector of the Dirac equation.
Uncertainty principle is the basis of quantum mechanics. It reflects the basic law of the movement of microscopic particles. Wigner-Yanase skew information, as a measure of quantum uncertainties, is used to characterize the intrinsic features of the state and the observable. In this paper, we mainly investigate the sum uncertainty relations for both quantum mechanical observables and quantum channels based on skew information. We establish a new uncertainty relation in terms of Wigner-Yanase skew information for $n$ observables, which is saturated (thus it holds as equality) for two incompatib…
In this investigation, we have suggested a special two-slit experiment which can distinguish between the standard and the Bohmian quantum mechanics. At the first step, we have shown that observable individual predictions obtained from these two theories are inconsistent for a special case. But, at the ensemble level, they are consistent as was expected. Then, as another special case and using selective detection, it is shown that an observable disagreement between the two theories can exist at the ensemble level of particles. This can encourage new efforts for finding other inconsistencies bet…
We propose that observables in quantum theory are properly understood as representatives of symmetry-invariant quantities relating one system to another, the latter to be called a reference system. We provide a rigorous mathematical language to introduce and study quantum reference systems, showing that the orthodox "absolute" quantities are good representatives of observable relative quantities if the reference state is suitably localised. We use this relational formalism to critique the literature on the relationship between reference frames and superselection rules, settling a long-standing…
We demonstrate that it is possible to discern the way that has been followed to measure a quantum observable that can be expressed in terms of different products of observables, whereas no such discrimination is possible by assigning predetermined values. Specifically we show how to distinguish different routes (contexts) to measure C=AB=A'B', when C,A,B and C,A',B' commute with each other, but A and B do not commute with A' and B'.
The paper argues that far from challenging - or even refuting - Bohm's quantum theory, the no-hidden-variables theorems in fact support the Bohmian ontology for quantum mechanics. The reason is that (i) all measurements come down to position measurements and (ii) Bohm's theory provides a clear and coherent explanation of the measurement outcome statistics based on an ontology of particle positions, a law for their evolution and a probability measure linked with that law. What the no-hidden-variables theorems teach us is that (i) one cannot infer the properties that the physical systems possess…
The classical Hilbert space formulation of the axioms of Quantum Mechanics appears to leave open the question whether the Hermitian operators which are associated with the observables of a finite non-relativistic quantum system are uniquely determined.
We present a mathematical formalism of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics, following the Dirac-von Neumann formalism of quantum mechanics. In this formalism, the state postulate is the same as in the Dirac-von Neumann formalism, but the observable postulate should be changed to include para-Hermitian operators (spectral operators of scalar type with real spectrum) representing observable, as such both the measurement postulate and the evolution postulate must be modified accordingly. This is based on a Stone type theorem as proved here that the dynamics of non-Hermitian quantum systems is governe…
