dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaCopenhagen Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Is Incorrect
| Authors | Guang-Liang Li, Victor O. K. Li |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | quant-ph/0509089 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0509089 |
Abstract
(A point-by-point response to a comment (quant-ph/0509130) on our paper (quant-ph/0509089) is added as Appendix C. We find the comment incorrect.) Einstein's criticism of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics is an important part of his legacy. Although most physicists consider Einstein's criticism technically unfounded, we show that the Copenhagen interpretation is actually incorrect, since Born's probability explanation of the wave function is incorrect due to a false assumption on "continuous probabilities" in modern probability theory. "Continuous probability" means a "probability measure" that can take every value in a subinterval of the unit interval (0, 1). We prove that such "continuous probabilities" are invalid. Since Bell's inequality also assumes "continuous probabilities", the result of the experimental test of Bell's inequality is not evidence supporting the Copenhagen interpretation. Although successful applications of quantum mechanics and explanation of quantum phenomena do not necessarily rely on the Copenhagen interpretation, the question asked by Einstein 70 years ago, i.e., whether a complete description of reality exists, still remains open.
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"abstract": "(A point-by-point response to a comment (quant-ph/0509130) on our paper\n(quant-ph/0509089) is added as Appendix C. We find the comment incorrect.)\n Einstein\u0027s criticism of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics is\nan important part of his legacy. Although most physicists consider Einstein\u0027s\ncriticism technically unfounded, we show that the Copenhagen interpretation is\nactually incorrect, since Born\u0027s probability explanation of the wave function\nis incorrect due to a false assumption on \"continuous probabilities\" in modern\nprobability theory. \"Continuous probability\" means a \"probability measure\" that\ncan take every value in a subinterval of the unit interval (0, 1). We prove\nthat such \"continuous probabilities\" are invalid. Since Bell\u0027s inequality also\nassumes \"continuous probabilities\", the result of the experimental test of\nBell\u0027s inequality is not evidence supporting the Copenhagen interpretation.\nAlthough successful applications of quantum mechanics and explanation of\nquantum phenomena do not necessarily rely on the Copenhagen interpretation, the\nquestion asked by Einstein 70 years ago, i.e., whether a complete description\nof reality exists, still remains open.",
"arxiv_id": "quant-ph/0509089",
"authors": [
"Guang-Liang Li",
"Victor O. K. Li"
],
"categories": [
"quant-ph"
],
"title": "Copenhagen Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Is Incorrect",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0509089"
},
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