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On the Quantum Mechanical Measurement Process

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Abstract

The quantum mechanical measurement process is analyzed by means of an explicit generic model describing the interaction between object and measuring device. The solution of the Schrödinger equation for the whole system reflects the ‘collapse’ of the object wave function. A necessary condition is a sufficiently sharply peaked initial measurement device wave function, which is guaranteed in its classical limit. With this assumption, it is in particular proven that the off-diagonal elements of the object density matrix vanish. This study therefore shows the reduction of the object state to be a consequence of Hamiltonian evolution of the total system.

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Acknowledgements

Part of this research has been supported by Research Cooperation Funds (SMO, Samenwerkingsmiddelen Onderzoek) Netherlands. Additional support by the Quantum Technology Department of TNO is acknowledged as well. The author also thanks H. Polinder and M.J. Woudstra for a critical reading of the manuscript and A.J. de Jong for inspiring discussions.

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  1. Quantum Technology, TNO, Stieltjesweg 1, 2628 CK, Delft, The Netherlands

    H. W. L. Naus

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Naus, H.W.L. On the Quantum Mechanical Measurement Process. Found Phys 51, 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-021-00404-5

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