Discrete-event simulation of uncertainty in single-neutron experiments

Abstract

A discrete-event simulation approach which provides a cause-and-effect description of many experiments with photons and neutrons exhibiting interference and entanglement is applied to a recent single-neutron experiment that tests (generalizations of) Heisenberg's uncertainty relation. The event-based simulation algorithm reproduces the results of the quantum theoretical description of the experiment but does not require the knowledge of the solution of a wave equation nor does it rely on concepts of quantum theory. In particular, the data satisfies uncertainty relations derived in the context of quantum theory.

Quantum theory as plausible reasoning applied to data obtained by robust experiments

“…More extensive discussions of applications to the time-(in)dependent phenomena with or without spin can be found elsewhere [21,22,41]. Work to include relativistic effects is in progress [55].…”

“…Using the simplest, non-trivial examples, it was shown how the application of LI to experiments for which the observed events are independent and for which the frequency distribution of these events is robust with respect to small changes of the conditions under which the experiments are carried out yields, without introducing any concept of quantum theory, some of the most basic equations of quantum theory. More extensive discussions of applications to the time-(in)dependent phenomena with or without spin can be found elsewhere [21,22,41]. Work to include relativistic effects is in progress [55].…”

“…Furthermore, a derivation of a quantum theoretical description from LI principles does not prohibit the construction of cause-and-effect mechanisms that create the impression that these mechanisms produce data that can be described by quantum theory [36,37]. In fact, there is a substantial body of work demonstrating that it is indeed possible to construct simulation models which reproduce, on an event-by-event basis, the results of interference/entanglement/uncertainty experiments with single photons/neutrons [38][39][40][41][42]. This demonstration does not imply the reality of hidden variables or something like that.…”

Quantum theory as a description of robust experiments: Derivation of the Pauli equation

“…A derivation of a quantum theoretical description from logical-inference principles does not prohibit the construction of cause-and-effect mechanisms that, when analyzed in the same manner as in real experiments, create the impression that the system behaves according to quantum theory [20][21][22]. Work in this direction has shown that it is indeed possible to build simulation models which reproduce, on an event-by-event basis, the results of interference/entanglement/uncertainty experiments with photons/neutrons [23][24][25][26][27].…”

Quantum theory as a description of robust experiments: application to Stern-Gerlach and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm experiments

“…15 In fact, there is a substantial body of work demonstrating that it is indeed possible to build simulation models which reproduce, on an event-by-event basis, the results of interference/entanglement/uncertainty experiments with single photons/neutrons. [16][17][18][19][20] In the LI approach it is not necessary to assume that the observed events are "generated" according to some (quantum) laws. These laws naturally emerge from inference based on available data.…”