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Reality and the Probability Wave

Shanahan, Daniel (2019) Reality and the Probability Wave. UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Effects associated in quantum mechanics with a divisible probability wave are explained as physically real consequences of the equal but opposite reaction of the apparatus as a particle is measured. Taking as illustration a Mach-Zehnder interferometer operating by refraction, it is shown that this reaction must comprise a fluctuation in the reradiation field of complementary effect to the changes occurring in the photon as it is projected into one or other path. The evolution of this fluctuation through the experiment will explain the alternative states of the particle discerned in self interference, while the maintenance of equilibrium in the face of such fluctuations becomes the source of the Born probabilities. In this scheme, the probability wave is a mathematical artifact, epistemic rather than ontic, and akin in this respect to the simplifying constructions of geometrical optics.

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Item Type: Other
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Shanahan, Danieldanjune@bigpond.net.au
Keywords: Measurement problem, wave function, Schrödinger's cat, Born rule, self interference, Mach-Zehnder interferometer
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User: Mr Daniel Shanahan
Date Deposited: 22 Jan 2019 14:46
Last Modified: 22 Jan 2019 14:46
Item ID: 15656
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date: 22 January 2019
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15656

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