Impossibility of the Counterfactual Computation for All Possible Outcomes

L. Vaidman
Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 160403 – Published 18 April 2007

Abstract

A recent proposal for counterfactual computation [O. Hosten et al., Nature (London) 439, 949 (2006)] is analyzed. It is argued that the method does not provide counterfactual computation for all possible outcomes. The explanation involves a novel paradoxical feature of pre- and postselected quantum particles: The particle can reach a certain location without being on the path that leads to this location.

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  • Received 20 October 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.160403

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

L. Vaidman

  • School of Physics and Astronomy, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

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Issue

Vol. 98, Iss. 16 — 20 April 2007

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