Pre- and Post-Selection Paradoxes and Contextuality in Quantum Mechanics

M. S. Leifer and Robert W. Spekkens
Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 200405 – Published 11 November 2005

Abstract

Many seemingly paradoxical effects are known in the predictions for outcomes of intermediate measurements made on pre- and post-selected quantum systems. Despite appearances, these effects do not demonstrate the impossibility of a noncontextual hidden variable theory, since an explanation in terms of measurement disturbance is possible. Nonetheless, we show that for every paradoxical effect wherein all the pre- and post-selected probabilities are 0 or 1 and the pre- and post-selected states are nonorthogonal, there is an associated proof of the impossibility of a noncontextual hidden variable theory. This proof is obtained by considering all the measurements involved in the paradoxical effect—the preselection, the post-selection, and the alternative possible intermediate measurements—as alternative possible measurements at a single time.

  • Figure
  • Received 12 December 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.200405

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. S. Leifer and Robert W. Spekkens

  • Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, 31 Caroline Street North, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 2Y5, Canada

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Issue

Vol. 95, Iss. 20 — 11 November 2005

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