Gao, Shan (2025) Unitarity and Reality of the Quantum State: A New ψ-Ontology Theorem without Assumptions. [Preprint]
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Abstract
We present a new psi-ontology theorem demonstrating that the quantum wave function is ontic (real) rather than epistemic (representing knowledge) in single-world unitary quantum theories (SUQTs). By leveraging a protocol of repeated reversible measurements on a single quantum system, we show that any two distinct quantum states produce different statistical distributions of (erased) measurement outcomes. This theoretical distinguishability implies that different quantum states correspond to different physical realities, supporting the ontic nature of the quantum state. Unlike previous psi-ontology theorems, such as the Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph theorem, our proof relies solely on the unitary evolution and Born rule of SUQTs, without additional assumptions like preparation independence. This strengthens its implications for quantum foundations, particularly in restricting non-psi-ontic interpretations like QBism without assuming an underlying ontic state and its dynamics. The theorem applies to any pair of distinct states in a finite-dimensional Hilbert space, with extensions to infinite-dimensional systems, offering a robust and general argument for the reality of the quantum state.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Keywords: | unitary quantum theories; quantum state; psi-ontology theorem; reversible measurements; Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph theorem; QBism | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory |
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| Depositing User: | Prof. Shan Gao | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 13 May 2025 13:07 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 13 May 2025 13:07 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 25294 | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory |
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| Date: | 13 May 2025 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/25294 |
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