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Building with quantum correlations

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Abstract

‘Correlations without correlata’ is an influential way of thinking of quantum entanglement as a form primitive correlation which nonetheless maintains locality of quantum theory. A number of arguments have sought to suggest that such a view leads either to internal inconsistency or to conflict with the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics. Here we explicate and provide a partial defence of the notion, arguing that these objections import unwarranted conceptions of correlation properties as hidden variables. A more plausible account sees the properties in terms of Everettian relative states. The ontological robustness of entanglement is also defended from recent objections.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brasenose College and Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 4AJ, UK

    Christopher G. Timpson

  2. Wolfson College and Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 4JJ, UK

    Harvey R. Brown

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  1. Christopher G. Timpson
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  2. Harvey R. Brown
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Correspondence to Christopher G. Timpson.

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Timpson, C.G., Brown, H.R. Building with quantum correlations. Quantum Inf Process 9, 307–320 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11128-010-0173-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11128-010-0173-2

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