Abstract
Quantum superposition is a process in which single entities express the effect of many states at the same time. This is difficult to explain with local realist models, because classical objects can only be in one state at a time. So far, the main approach was to invoke a class of hidden variables that might explain the appearance (but not the reality) of superposition effects. Yet, this hypothesis was falsified by the experimental violations of Bell’s inequality. The alternative is to accept the ontological validity of quantum superposition, with an interpretive twist. The single net state, which is equal to the vector sum of many component states, must be described as real. This is not only plausible. It actually avoids the known interpretive pitfalls of quantum mechanics (including the measurement problem and the EPR paradox).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Giustina, M., et al.: Significant-loophole-free test of Bell’s theorem with entangled photons. Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 250401 (2015)
Hensen, R., et al.: Loophole-free Bell inequality violation using electron spins separated by 1.3 kilometres. Nature. 526, 682–686 (2015)
Shalm, L.K., et al.: A strong loophole-free test of local realism. Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 250402 (2015)
Bell, J.S.: Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1987)
Mardari, G. N., Greenwood, J. A.: Classical sources of non-classical physics: the case of linear superposition. arXiv:quant-ph/0409197 (2013)
Howard, D.: Revisiting the Einstein-Bohr dialogue. Iyyun: Jerus. Philoso. Q. 56, 57–90 (2007)
Einstein, A., Podolsky, B., Rosen, N.: Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete? Phys. Rev. 47, 777–780 (1935)
Afriat, A., Selleri, F.: The Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen Paradox in Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics. Springer, New York (1998)
Andersson, E., Barnett, S.M., Aspect, A.: Joint measurements of spin, operational locality and uncertainty. Phys. Rev. A. 72, 042104 (2005)
Banik, M., Gazi, M.R., Ghosh, S., Kar, G.: Degree of complementarity determines the nonlocality in quantum mechanics. Phys. Rev. A. 87, 052125 (2013)
Oppenheim, J., Wehner, S.: The uncertainty principle determines the non-locality of quantum mechanics. Science. 330, 1072–1074 (2010)
Peres, A.: Quantum Theory: Concepts and Methods. Kluwer, Dordrecht (1993)
Seevinck, M., Uffink, J.: Local commutativity versus Bell inequality violation for entangled states and versus non-violation for separable states. Phys. Rev. A. 76, 042105 (2007)
Wolf, M.M., Perez-Garcia, D., Fernandez, C.: Measurements incompatible in quantum theory cannot be measured jointly in any other no-signaling theory. Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 230402 (2009)
Griffiths, D.J.: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River (1995)
Jammer, M.: The Conceptual Development of Quantum Mechanics. McGraw Hill, New York (1966)
Howell, J.C., Bennink, R.S., Bentley, S.J., Boyd, R.W.: Realization of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox using momentum- and position-entangled photons from spontaneous parametric down conversion. Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 210403 (2004)
Khrennikov, A.: Bell-Boole inequality: nonlocality or probabilistic incompatibility of random variables? Entropy. 10, 19–32 (2008)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mardari, G.N. (2018). Local Realism Without Hidden Variables. In: Khrennikov, A., Toni, B. (eds) Quantum Foundations, Probability and Information. STEAM-H: Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Mathematics & Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74971-6_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74971-6_12
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74970-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74971-6
eBook Packages: Mathematics and StatisticsMathematics and Statistics (R0)