In defense of the epistemic view of quantum states: a toy theory

Physics – Quantum Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

32 pages, REVTEX, based on a talk given at the Rob Clifton Memorial Conference, College Park, May 2003; v2: minor modification

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevA.75.032110

We present a toy theory that is based on a simple principle: the number of questions about the physical state of a system that are answered must always be equal to the number that are unanswered in a state of maximal knowledge. A wide variety of quantum phenomena are found to have analogues within this toy theory. Such phenomena include: the noncommutativity of measurements, interference, the multiplicity of convex decompositions of a mixed state, the impossibility of discriminating nonorthogonal states, the impossibility of a universal state inverter, the distinction between bi-partite and tri-partite entanglement, the monogamy of pure entanglement, no cloning, no broadcasting, remote steering, teleportation, dense coding, mutually unbiased bases, and many others. The diversity and quality of these analogies is taken as evidence for the view that quantum states are states of incomplete knowledge rather than states of reality. A consideration of the phenomena that the toy theory fails to reproduce, notably, violations of Bell inequalities and the existence of a Kochen-Specker theorem, provides clues for how to proceed with this research program.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

In defense of the epistemic view of quantum states: a toy theory does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with In defense of the epistemic view of quantum states: a toy theory, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and In defense of the epistemic view of quantum states: a toy theory will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-688801

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.