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arxiv: 1309.4757 · v3 · pith:3TCSAFBNnew · submitted 2013-09-18 · 🪐 quant-ph

Measurement in the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation: Double-slit, Stern-Gerlach and EPR-B

classification 🪐 quant-ph
keywords interpretationmeasurementquantumbroglie-bohmexperimentfunctionwaveclassical
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We propose a pedagogical presentation of measurement in the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation. In this heterodox interpretation, the position of a quantum particle exists and is piloted by the phase of the wave function. We show how this position explains determinism and realism in the three most important experiments of quantum measurement: double-slit, Stern-Gerlach and EPR-B. First, we demonstrate the conditions in which the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation can be assumed to be valid through continuity with classical mechanics. Second, we present a numerical simulation of the double-slit experiment performed by J\"onsson in 1961 with electrons. It demonstrates the continuity between classical mechanics and quantum mechanics: evolution of the probability density at various distances and convergence of the quantum trajectories to the classical trajectories when h tends to 0. Third, we present an analytic expression of the wave function in the Stern-Gerlach experiment. This explicit solution requires the calculation of a Pauli spinor with a spatial extension. This solution enables to demonstrate the decoherence of the wave function and the three postulates of quantum measurement: quantization, the Born interpretation and wave function reduction. The spinor spatial extension also enables the introduction of the de Broglie-Bohm trajectories, which gives a very simple explanation of the particles' impact and of the measurement process. Finally, we study the EPR-B experiment, the Bohm version of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen experiment. Its theoretical resolution in space and time shows that a causal interpretation exists where each atom has a position and a spin. This interpretation avoids the flaw of the previous causal interpretation. We recall that a physical explanation of non-local influences is possible.

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Cited by 1 Pith paper

Reviewed papers in the Pith corpus that reference this work. Sorted by Pith novelty score.

  1. Quantum Trajectories in Entropic Dynamics

    quant-ph 2019-06 unverdicted novelty 4.0

    Studies trajectories in the continuum between Nelson-like stochastic and Bohmian deterministic limits inside the Entropic Dynamics framework using double-slit and Stern-Gerlach examples.