Foundations of Physics

, Volume 14, Issue 3, pp 255–274 | Cite as

Measurement understood through the quantum potential approach

  • D. Bohm
  • B. J. Hiley
Article
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Abstract

We review briefly the quantum potential approach to quantum theory, and show that it yields a completely consistent account of the measurement process, including especially what has been called the “collapse of the wave function.” This is done with the aid of a new concept of active information, which enables us to describe the evolution of a physical system as a unique actuality, in principle independent of any observer (so that we can, for example, provide a simple and coherent answer to the Schrödinger cat paradox). Finally, we extend this approach to relativistic quantum field theories, and show that it leads to results that are consistent with all the known experimental implications of the theory of relativity, despite the nonlocality which this approach entails.

Keywords

Wave Function Field Theory Quantum Field Theory Quantum Theory Physical System 
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Copyright information

© Plenum Publishing Corporation 1984

Authors and Affiliations

  • D. Bohm
    • 1
  • B. J. Hiley
    • 1
  1. 1.Birkbeck CollegeUniversity of LondonLondonEngland

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