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Parameter dependence in dynamical models for statevector reduction

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Abstract

We apply the distinction between parameter independence and outcome independence to the linear and nonlinear models of a recent nonrelativistic theory of continuous statevector reduction. We show that in the nonlinear model there is a set of realizations of the stochastic process that drives the statevector reduction for which parameter independence is violated for parallel spin components in the EPR-Bohm setup. Such a set has an appreciable probability of occurrence (≈ 1/2). On the other hand, the linear model exhibits only extremely small parameter dependence effects. The final section discusses the difficulties of finding a relativistic generalization of a parameter-dependent nonrelativistic theory. We identify this difficulty precisely and show how the weak parameter dependence of the linear model avoids it, provided one uses an appropriate criterion for the existence of definite outcomes.

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Butterfield, J., Fleming, G.N., Ghirardi, G.C. et al. Parameter dependence in dynamical models for statevector reduction. Int J Theor Phys 32, 2287–2304 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00673000

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