Determinism, Independence, and Objectivity are Incompatible

Radu Ionicioiu, Robert B. Mann, and Daniel R. Terno
Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 060405 – Published 13 February 2015

Abstract

Hidden-variable models aim to reproduce the results of quantum theory and to satisfy our classical intuition. Their refutation is usually based on deriving predictions that are different from those of quantum mechanics. Here instead we study the mutual compatibility of apparently reasonable classical assumptions. We analyze a version of the delayed-choice experiment which ostensibly combines determinism, independence of hidden variables on the conducted experiments, and wave-particle objectivity (the assertion that quantum systems are, at any moment, either particles or waves, but not both). These three ideas are incompatible with any theory, not only with quantum mechanics.

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  • Received 17 August 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.060405

© 2015 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Radu Ionicioiu1,2, Robert B. Mann3,4, and Daniel R. Terno5,*

  • 1Department of Theoretical Physics, National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 077125 Bucharest–Măgurele, Romania
  • 2Research Center for Spatial Information–CEOSpaceTech, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independenţei, 061071 Bucharest, Romania
  • 3Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
  • 4Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
  • 5Department of Physics and Astronomy, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

  • *daniel.terno@mq.edu.au

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Vol. 114, Iss. 6 — 13 February 2015

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