On the Quantum Measurement Problem

Autor(en)

Caslav Brukner

Abstrakt

In this paper, I attempt a personal account of my understanding of the measurement problem in quantum mechanics, which has been largely in the tradition of the Copenhagen interpretation. I assume that (i) the quantum state is a representation of knowledge of a (real or hypothetical) observer relative to her experimental capabilities; (ii) measurements have definite outcomes in the sense that only one outcome occurs; (iii) quantum theory is universal and the irreversibility of the measurement process is only "for all practical purposes". These assumptions are analyzed within quantum theory and their consistency is tested in Deutsch's version of the Wigner's friend gedanken experiment, where the friend reveals to Wigner whether she observes a definite outcome without revealing which outcome she observes. The view that holds the coexistence of the "facts of the world" common both for Wigner and his friend runs into the problem of the hidden variable program. The solution lies in understanding that "facts" can only exist relative to the observer.

Organisation(en)

Quantenoptik, Quantennanophysik und Quanteninformation

Externe Organisation(en)

Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW)

Seiten

95-117

Anzahl der Seiten

23

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-38987-5_5

Publikationsdatum

2017

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ÖFOS 2012

103025 Quantenmechanik

Schlagwörter

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Philosophy, Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous), History and Philosophy of Science, Social Sciences (miscellaneous), Sociology and Political Science

Link zum Portal

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/a1fcd6bb-d0dc-436a-a3bb-3491aba2bd06