The wave-function as a multi-field

Hubert, Mario; Romano, Davide

doi:10.1007/s13194-017-0198-9

Cited by 47 publications

(31 citation statements)

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“…If it is to be understood as a high-dimensional field and the only object in the ontology, then we have a Many-Worlds theory, unless we revise the Hamiltonian dynamics and make it stochastic. If it is to be understood as a low-dimensional multi-field (cf: Chen (2017) and Hubert and Romano (2018) and the references therein), it is not clear what corresponds to the momentum degrees of freedom. Second, the dynamics is not as natural in CSM.…”

Section: Other Proposalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time’s Arrow in a Quantum Universe: On the Status of Statistical Mechanical Probabilities

Chen

2020

Statistical Mechanics and Scientific Explanation

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In a quantum universe with a strong arrow of time, it is standard to postulate that the initial wave function started in a particular macrostate-the special low-entropy macrostate selected by the Past Hypothesis. Moreover, there is an additional postulate about statistical mechanical probabilities according to which the initial wave function is a "typical" choice in the macrostate (the Statistical Postulate). Together, they support a probabilistic version of the Second Law of Thermodynamics: typical initial wave functions will increase in entropy. Hence, there are two sources of randomness in such a universe: the quantum-mechanical probabilities of the Born rule and the statistical mechanical probabilities of the Statistical Postulate.I propose a new way to understand time's arrow in a quantum universe. It is based on what I call the Thermodynamic Theories of Quantum Mechanics. According to this perspective, there is a natural choice for the initial quantum state of the universe, which is given by not a wave function but by a density matrix. The density matrix plays a microscopic role: it appears in the fundamental dynamical equations of those theories. The density matrix also plays a macroscopic / thermodynamic role: it is exactly the (normalized) projection operator onto the Past Hypothesis subspace (of the Hilbert space of the universe). Thus, given an initial subspace, we obtain a unique choice of the initial density matrix. I call this property the conditional uniqueness of the initial quantum state. The conditional uniqueness provides a new and general strategy to eliminate statistical mechanical probabilities in the fundamental physical theories, by which we can reduce the two sources of randomness to only the quantum mechanical one. I also explore the idea of an absolutely unique initial quantum state, in a way that might realize Penrose's idea (1989) of a strongly deterministic universe.

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Section: Other Proposalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time’s Arrow in a Quantum Universe: On the Status of Statistical Mechanical Probabilities

Chen

2020

Statistical Mechanics and Scientific Explanation

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“…One suggestion is that an apparent four-dimensional spacetime emerges from a more fundamental realm with very many more dimensions [229]. The quantum mechanical state can, however, be directly linked to an ontic state in conventional spacetime [118,230,231]. For example, the many terms of the typical density matrix can be taken as coefficients of a multi-field.…”

Section: States: No Clarity Yet On Any Simple Relationship To Indepenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A field specifies properties, smoothly across spacetime, by reference to each separate point in spacetime. A multi-field specifies properties, again smoothly across spacetime, but by reference to multiple points in spacetime [230,231].…”

Section: States: No Clarity Yet On Any Simple Relationship To Indepenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3.4 above. In a Bohmian context, however, there are more grounds for the ontological state to exist in conventional spacetime (rather than in a much higher dimensional realm), for example as a physical multi-field [230,231]. 5.…”

Section: De Broglie and Bohmian Theories: More Descriptive But No Lesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4.1 measurement event single run of a measurement mind no single definition is assumed mixed state a state for which the relevant ensemble can be split, such that each subensemble is represented by a different pure state; see Sect. 3.3 multi-field specifies properties, smoothly across spacetime, by reference to multiple points in spacetime [230,231]; see Sect. 3.4 object that which is being studied, discussed or examined objective relating to an independent reality [49]; what is objective should not depend on the particular perspective used for the description [63, § 3.1] observables operators associated with properties relating to the studied system [193,300] observe to use physics concepts to account for what is done or thought about a measurement; to describe a measurement by associating data [562,563] ontic state a complete specification of the properties of a system (in an ontological model) [212]; see Sect.…”

Section: Glossary: Intended Meanings For Some Non-mathematical Termsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding quantum mechanics: a review and synthesis in precise language

Drummond¹

2019

Open Physics

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This review, of the understanding of quantum mechanics, is broad in scope, and aims to reflect enough of the literature to be representative of the current state of the subject. To enhance clarity, the main findings are presented in the form of a coherent synthesis of the reviewed sources. The review highlights core characteristics of quantum mechanics. One is statistical balance in the collective response of an ensemble of identically prepared systems, to differing measurement types. Another is that states are mathematical terms prescribing probability aspects of future events, relating to an ensemble of systems, in various situations. These characteristics then yield helpful insights on entanglement, measurement, and widely-discussed experiments and analyses. The review concludes by considering how these insights are supported, illustrated and developed by some specific approaches to understanding quantum mechanics. The review uses non-mathematical language precisely (terms defined) and rigorously (consistent meanings), and uses only such language. A theory more descriptive of independent reality than is quantum mechanics may yet be possible. One step in the pursuit of such a theory is to reach greater consensus on how to understand quantum mechanics. This review aims to contribute to achieving that greater consensus, and so to that pursuit.

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Why Scientific Realists Should Reject the Second Dogma of Quantum Mechanics

Allori

2020

Jerusalem Studies in Philosophy and History of Science

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The information-theoretic approach to quantum mechanics, proposed by Bub and Pitowsky, is a realist approach to quantum theory which rejects the "two dogmas" of quantum mechanics: in this theory measurement results are not analysed in terms of something more fundamental, and the quantum state does not represent physical entities. Bub and Pitowsky's approach has been criticized because their rejection of the first dogma relies on their argument that kinematic explanations are more satisfactory than dynamical ones. However, little attention has been given to the second dogma. If anything, some have discussed the difficulties the informational-theoretical interpretation faces in making sense of the quantum state as epistemic. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, I argue that a realist should reject the second dogma without relying on the alleged explanatory superiority of kinematical explanation over dynamical ones, thereby providing Bub and Pitowsky with a way to avoid the first set of objections to their view. Then I propose a functionalist account of the wavefunction as a non-material entity which does not fall prey of the objections to the epistemic account or the other non-material accounts such as the nomological view, and therefore I supply the proponents of the informationtheoretical interpretation with a new tool to overcome the second set of criticisms.

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The wave-function as a multi-field

Cited by 47 publications

References 25 publications

Time’s Arrow in a Quantum Universe: On the Status of Statistical Mechanical Probabilities

Time’s Arrow in a Quantum Universe: On the Status of Statistical Mechanical Probabilities

Understanding quantum mechanics: a review and synthesis in precise language

Why Scientific Realists Should Reject the Second Dogma of Quantum Mechanics

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