Gao, Shan (2025) The PBR Theorem Requires No Preparation Independence. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph (PBR) theorem proves that the joint wave function ψ1 ⊗ψ2 of a composite quantum system is ψ-ontic, representing the system’s physical reality. We present a minimalist proof showing that this result, combined with the tensor product structure assigning ψ1 to subsystem 1 and ψ2 to subsystem 2, directly implies that ψ1 and ψ2 are ψ-ontic for their respective subsystems. This establishes ψ-ontology for single quantum systems without requiring preparation independence or other assumptions. Our proof challenges the widely held view that joint ψ-onticity permits subsystem ψ-epistemicity via correlations, providing a simpler, more direct understanding of the wave function’s ontological status in quantum mechanics.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Gao, Shan sgao7319@uni.sydney.edu.au
Keywords:	wave function; PBR Theorem; Preparation Independence; tensor product; psi-ontology
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Prof. Shan Gao
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2025 13:09
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2025 13:09
Item ID:	25955
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	15 July 2025
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/25955

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