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Sequential Measurements and the Kochen–Specker Arguments

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Abstract

It will be shown that the Peres–Mermin square admits value-definite noncontextual hidden-variable models if the observables associated with the operators can be measured only sequentially but not simultaneously. Namely, sequential measurements allow for noncontextual models in which hidden states update between consecutive measurements. Two recent experiments realizing the Peres–Mermin square by sequential measurements will also be analyzed along with other hidden-variable models accounting for these experiments.

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Notes

  1. Note that the joint measurement \(M_{11}\wedge M_{12}\wedge M_{13}\) cannot be performed; but if it could, it would yield a definite outcome in every hidden state.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office, K-134275. I thank Ádan Cabello for valuable discussions.

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Correspondence to Gábor Hofer-Szabó.

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Hofer-Szabó, G. Sequential Measurements and the Kochen–Specker Arguments. J Gen Philos Sci 55, 29–42 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10838-023-09655-4

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