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Full-Text Articles in Physics
Instability And Quantization In Quantum Hydrodynamics, Yakir Aharonov, Tomer Shushi
Instability And Quantization In Quantum Hydrodynamics, Yakir Aharonov, Tomer Shushi
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
We show how the quantum hydrodynamical formulation of quantum mechanics converts the nonlocality in the standard wave-like description of quantum systems by an instability of the quantum system, which opens the door to a new way for studying quantum systems based on known methodologies for studying the stability of fluids. As a second result, we show how the Madelung equations describe quantized energies without any external quantization conditions.
Golay Codes And Quantum Contextuality, Mordecai Waegell, P. K. Aravind
Golay Codes And Quantum Contextuality, Mordecai Waegell, P. K. Aravind
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
It is shown that the codewords of the binary and ternary Golay codes can be converted into rays in RP23 and RP11 that provide proofs of the Kochen-Specker theorem in real state spaces of dimensions 24 and 12, respectively. Some implications of these results are discussed.
Spooky Action At A (Temporal) Distance, Emily Adlam
Spooky Action At A (Temporal) Distance, Emily Adlam
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
Since the discovery of Bell’s theorem, the physics community has come to take seriously the possibility that the universe might contain physical processes which are spatially nonlocal, but there has been no such revolution with regard to the possibility of temporally nonlocal processes. In this article, we argue that the assumption of temporal locality is actively limiting progress in the field of quantum foundations. We investigate the origins of the assumption, arguing that it has arisen for historical and pragmatic reasons rather than good scientific ones, then explain why temporal locality is in tension with relativity and review some recent …
Interaction-Free Effects Between Distant Atoms, Yakir Aharonov, Eliahu Cohen, Avshalom C. Elitzur, Lee Smolin
Interaction-Free Effects Between Distant Atoms, Yakir Aharonov, Eliahu Cohen, Avshalom C. Elitzur, Lee Smolin
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
A Gedanken experiment is presented where an excited and a ground-state atom are positioned such that, within the former’s half-life time, they exchange a photonwith 50% probability.Ameasurement of their energy statewill therefore indicate in 50% of the cases that no photon was exchanged. Yet other measurements would reveal that, by the mere possibility of exchange, the two atoms have become entangled. Consequently, the “no exchange” result, apparently precluding entanglement, is non-locally established between the atoms by this very entanglement. This quantum-mechanical version of the ancient Liar Paradox can be realized with already existing transmission schemes, with the addition of Bell’s …
Nonlocality Of The Aharonov-Bohm Effect, Yakir Aharonov, Eliahu Cohen, Daniel Rohrlich
Nonlocality Of The Aharonov-Bohm Effect, Yakir Aharonov, Eliahu Cohen, Daniel Rohrlich
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
Although the Aharonov-Bohm and related effects are familiar in solid-state and high-energy physics, the nonlocality of these effects has been questioned. Here we show that the Aharonov-Bohm effect has two very different aspects. One aspect is instantaneous and nonlocal; the other aspect, which depends on entanglement, unfolds continuously over time. While local, gauge-invariant variables may occasionally suffice for explaining the continuous aspect, we argue that they cannot explain the instantaneous aspect. Thus the Aharonov-Bohm effect is, in general, nonlocal.
Pbr, Epr, And All That Jazz, Matthew S. Leifer
Pbr, Epr, And All That Jazz, Matthew S. Leifer
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
"In the past couple of months, the quantum foundations world has been abuzz about a new preprint entitled "The Quantum State Cannot be Interpreted Statistically" by Matt Pusey, Jon Barrett and Terry Rudolph (henceforth known as PBR). Since I wrote a blog post explaining the result, I have been inundated with more correspondence from scientists and more requests for comment from science journalists than at any other point in my career. Reaction to the result amongst quantum researchers has been mixed, with many people reacting negatively to the title, which can be misinterpreted as an attack on the Born rule. …
Quantum Interference Experiments, Modular Variables And Weak Measurements, Jeff Tollaksen, Yakir Aharonov, Aharon Casher, Tirzah Kaufherr, Shmuel Nussinov
Quantum Interference Experiments, Modular Variables And Weak Measurements, Jeff Tollaksen, Yakir Aharonov, Aharon Casher, Tirzah Kaufherr, Shmuel Nussinov
Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research
We address the problem of interference using the Heisenberg picture and highlight some new aspects through the use of pre-selection, post-selection, weak measurements and modular variables. We present a physical explanation for the different behaviors of a single particle when the distant slit is open or closed; instead of having a quantum wave that passes through all slits, we have a localized particle with non-local interactions with the other slit(s). We introduce a Gedanken experiment to measure this non-local exchange. While the Heisenberg and Schrodinger pictures are equivalent formulations of quantum mechanics, nevertheless, the results discussed here support a new …