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Quantum Theories with Local Information Flow

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Abstract

Bell non-locality is a term that applies to specific modifications and interpretations of quantum mechanics. Yet, Bell’s original 1964 theorem is often used to assert that unmodified quantum mechanics itself is non-local and that local realist interpretations are untenable. Motivated by Bell’s original inequality, we identify four viable categories of quantum theories: local quantum mechanics, superdeterminism, non-local collapse quantum mechanics, and non-local hidden variable theories. These categories, however, are not restricted by Bell’s definition of locality. In light of currently available no-go theorems, local and deterministic descriptions seem to have been overlooked, and one possible reason for that could be the conflation between Bell-locality and a broader principle of locality. We present examples of theories where a local flow of quantum information is possible and assess whether current experimental proposals and an improved philosophy of science can contrast interpretations and distinguish between them.

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  1. The Nobel Prize in Physics 2022 and The 2023 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge professors S. Dahmen, A. Franklin, N. Lima, S. Prado and S. Saunders for discussions concerning issues addressed in this paper. E.N.C. thanks the support of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), the support of the Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement (CAPES) and the support of the British Council through the Women in Science: Gender Equality 2022 Program.

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  1. Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, RS, Brazil

    Eduarda Fonseca da Nova Cruz & David Möckli

  2. Departamento de Filosofia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, RS, Brazil

    Eduarda Fonseca da Nova Cruz

  3. Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany

    Eduarda Fonseca da Nova Cruz

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da Nova Cruz, E.F., Möckli, D. Quantum Theories with Local Information Flow. Braz J Phys 54, 16 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13538-023-01386-7

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