Abstract
The polemical term “interaction-free measurement” (IFM) is analyzed in its interpretative nature. Two seminal works proposing the term are revisited and their underlying interpretations are assessed. The role played by nonlocal quantum correlations (entanglement) is formally discussed and some controversial conceptions in the original treatments are identified. As a result the term IFM is shown to be consistent neither with the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics nor with the lessons provided by the EPR debate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dicke, R.H.: Interaction-free quantum measurements: A paradox? Am. J. Phys. 49, 925–930 (1981)
Renninger, M.: Messungen ohne storung des messobjekts. Z. Phys. 158, 417–421 (1960)
Elitzur, A.C., Vaidman, L.: Quantum mechanical interaction-free measurements. Found. Phys. 23, 987–997 (1993)
Vaidman, L.: The meaning of the interaction-free measurements. Found. Phys. 33, 491–510 (2003)
Kwiat, P.G., Weinfurter, H., Herzog, T., Zeilinger, A., Kasevich, M.A.: Interaction-free measurement. Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 4763–4766 (1995)
Kwiat, P.G., White, A.G., Mitchell, J.R., Nairz, O., Weihs, G., Weinfurter, H., Zeilinger, A.: High-efficiency quantum interrogation measurements via the quantum Zeno effect. Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 4725–4728 (1999)
Ghirardi, G.: Sneaking a Look at God’s Cards. Princeton University Press, Princeton (2005)
Sant’Anna, A.S., Bueno, O.: Interaction-free measurement with matter waves. Found. Phys. Lett. 19, 481–490 (2006)
Potting, S., Lee, E.S., Schmitt, W., Rumyantsev, I., Mohring, B., Meystre, P.: Quantum coherence and interaction-free measurements. Phys. Rev. A 62, 060101(R) (2000)
Geszti, T.: Interaction-free measurement and forward scattering. Phys. Rev. A 58, 4206–4209 (1998)
Einstein, A., Podolsky, B., Rosen, N.: Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete? Phys. Rev. 47, 777–780 (1935)
Bell, J.S.: On the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen paradox. Physics (NY) 1, 195–200 (1965)
Aspect, A., Grangier, P., Roger, G.: Experimental realization of Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen–Bohm gedankenexperiment—A new violation of Bell inequalities. Phys. Rev. Lett. 49, 91–94 (1982)
Ballentine, L.E.: Quantum Mechanics. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey (1990)
Cohen-Tannoudji, C., Diu, B., Laloë, F.: Quantum Mechanics, vol. I. Wiley, New York (1977)
Pan, J.-W., Bouwmeester, D., Weinfurter, H., Zeilinger, A.: Experimental entanglement swapping: Entangling photons that never interacted. Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 3891–3894 (1998)
Bohm, D.: A suggested interpretation of the Quantum Theory in terms of hidden variables. I. Phys. Rev. 85, 166–179 (1952)
Bohm, D.: A suggested interpretation of the Quantum Theory in terms of hidden variables. II. Phys. Rev. 85, 180–193 (1952)
Marton, L.: Electron interferometer. Phys. Rev. 85, 1057–1058 (1952)
Schrödinger, E.: Discussion of probability relations between separated systems. Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc. 31, 555 (1935)
Joos, E., Zeh, H.D., Kiefer, C., Giulini, D., Kupsch, J., Stamatescu, I.-O.: Decoherence and the Appearance of a Classical World in Quantum Theory. Springer, Berlin (2003)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Angelo, R.M. On the Interpretative Essence of the Term “Interaction-Free Measurement”: The Role of Entanglement. Found Phys 39, 109–119 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-008-9263-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-008-9263-8