Gao, Shan (2011) Protective Measurement and the Meaning of the Wave Function. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This article analyzes the implications of protective measurement for the meaning of the wave function. According to protective measurement, a charged quantum system has mass and charge density proportional to the modulus square of its wave function. It is shown that the mass and charge density is not real but effective, formed by the ergodic motion of a localized particle with the total mass and charge of the system. Moreover, it is argued that the ergodic motion is not continuous but discontinuous and random. This result suggests a new interpretation of the wave function, according to which the wave function is a description of random discontinuous motion of particles, and the modulus square of the wave function gives the probability density of the particles being in certain locations. It is shown that the suggested interpretation of the wave function disfavors the de Broglie-Bohm theory and the many-worlds interpretation but favors the dynamical collapse theories, and the random discontinuous motion of particles may provide an appropriate random source to collapse the wave function.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Gao, Shan sgao7319@uni.sydney.edu.au
Keywords:	protective measurement, wave function, mass and charge density, ergodic motion, random discontinuous motion, propensity, wavefunction collapse
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User:	Dr. Shan Gao
Date Deposited:	03 Aug 2011 13:34
Last Modified:	07 Jan 2013 02:18
Item ID:	8741
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date:	3 August 2011
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8741

Available Versions of this Item

• Protective Measurement and the Meaning of the Wave Function. (deposited 03 Aug 2011 13:34) [Currently Displayed]
  • Protective Measurement and the Meaning of the Wave Function. (deposited 07 Jan 2013 02:18)
    • Protective Measurement and the Meaning of the Wave Function. (deposited 29 Dec 2013 17:36)

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