dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaProposal to test quantum mechanics against macroscopic realism using continuous variable entanglement: a definitive signature of a Schr\"odinger cat
| Authors | M. D. Reid |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | quant-ph/0101052 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0101052 |
Abstract
In the Schr\"odinger-cat gedanken experiment a cat is in a quantum superposition of two macroscopically distinct states, alive and dead.The paradoxical interpretation of quantum mechanics is that the cat is not in one state or the other, alive or dead, immediately prior to its measurement. Because of this apparent defiance of macroscopic reality, quantum superpositions of states macroscopically distinct have generated much interest. Here we address the issue of proving a contradiction with macroscopic reality objectively, through the testable predictions of quantum mechanics. We consider the premises of macroscopic reality (that the ``cat'' is either ``dead'' or ``alive'', the measurement indicating which) and macroscopic locality (that simultaneous measurements some distance away cannot induce the macroscopic change, ``dead'' to ``alive'' and vice versa, to the ``cat''). The predictions of quantum mechanics for certain states, generated using states exhibiting continuous variable entanglement, are shown to be incompatible with the predictions of all theories based on this dual premise. Our proof is along the lines of Bell's theorem, but where all relevant measurements give macroscopically distinct results.
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"abstract": "In the Schr\\\"odinger-cat gedanken experiment a cat is in a quantum\nsuperposition of two macroscopically distinct states, alive and dead.The\nparadoxical interpretation of quantum mechanics is that the cat is not in one\nstate or the other, alive or dead, immediately prior to its measurement.\nBecause of this apparent defiance of macroscopic reality, quantum\nsuperpositions of states macroscopically distinct have generated much interest.\nHere we address the issue of proving a contradiction with macroscopic reality\nobjectively, through the testable predictions of quantum mechanics. We consider\nthe premises of macroscopic reality (that the ``cat\u0027\u0027 is either ``dead\u0027\u0027 or\n``alive\u0027\u0027, the measurement indicating which) and macroscopic locality (that\nsimultaneous measurements some distance away cannot induce the macroscopic\nchange, ``dead\u0027\u0027 to ``alive\u0027\u0027 and vice versa, to the ``cat\u0027\u0027). The predictions\nof quantum mechanics for certain states, generated using states exhibiting\ncontinuous variable entanglement, are shown to be incompatible with the\npredictions of all theories based on this dual premise. Our proof is along the\nlines of Bell\u0027s theorem, but where all relevant measurements give\nmacroscopically distinct results.",
"arxiv_id": "quant-ph/0101052",
"authors": [
"M. D. Reid"
],
"categories": [
"quant-ph"
],
"title": "Proposal to test quantum mechanics against macroscopic realism using continuous variable entanglement: a definitive signature of a Schr\\\"odinger cat",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0101052"
},
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