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The Reality in Bohmian Quantum Mechanics or Can You Kill with an Empty Wave Bullet?

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Several situations, in which an empty wave causes an observable effect, are reviewed. They include an experiment showing ‘‘surrealistic trajectories’’ proposed by Englert et al. and protective measurement of the density of the quantum state. Conditions for observable effects due to empty waves are derived. The possibility (in spite of the existence of these examples) of minimalistic interpretation of Bohmian quantum mechanics in which only Bohmian positions supervene on our experience is discussed.

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Correspondence to Lev Vaidman.

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Vaidman, L. The Reality in Bohmian Quantum Mechanics or Can You Kill with an Empty Wave Bullet?. Found Phys 35, 299–312 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-004-1945-2

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