• Rapid Communication

Peres experiment using photons: No test for hypercomplex (quaternionic) quantum theories

Stephen L. Adler
Phys. Rev. A 95, 060101(R) – Published 19 June 2017

Abstract

Assuming the standard axioms for quaternionic quantum theory and a spatially localized scattering interaction, the S matrix in quaternionic quantum theory is complex valued, not quaternionic. Using the standard connections between the S matrix, the forward scattering amplitude for electromagnetic wave scattering, and the index of refraction, we show that the index of refraction is necessarily complex, not quaternionic. This implies that the recent optical experiment of Procopio et al. [Nat. Commun. 8, 15044 (2017)] based on the Peres proposal does not test for hypercomplex or quaternionic quantum effects arising within the standard Hilbert space framework. Such a test requires looking at near zone fields, not radiation zone fields.

  • Received 7 July 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.95.060101

©2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

Stephen L. Adler*

  • Institute for Advanced Study, Einstein Drive, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA

  • *adler@ias.edu

Comments & Replies

Comment on “Peres experiment using photons: No test for hypercomplex (quaternionic) quantum theories”

Lorenzo M. Procopio, Lee A. Rozema, Borivoje Dakić, and Philip Walther
Phys. Rev. A 96, 036101 (2017)

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 95, Iss. 6 — June 2017

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review A

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×