Gao, Shan (2022) Nature abhors redundancies: A no-go result for density matrix realism. [Preprint]

Preview

Text dmr 2022.pdf Download (153kB) | Preview

Abstract

Quantum mechanics with a fundamental density matrix (W-QM) has been proposed and discussed recently. It motivates a new view called density matrix realism, according to which the ontic state of the universe is represented not by a wave function in quantum mechanics (QM), but by a density matrix in this theory, which may be a mixed state. In this paper, I argue that this view is inconsistent with the empirical equivalence between W-QM and QM.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Gao, Shan sgao7319@uni.sydney.edu.au
Keywords:	Quantum mechanics; mixed state; fundamental density matrix; density matrix realism; empirical equivalence; quantum state of the universe
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User:	Prof. Shan Gao
Date Deposited:	28 May 2022 14:55
Last Modified:	28 May 2022 14:55
Item ID:	20671
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date:	25 May 2022
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20671

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item