Gao, Shan (2024) Why the global phase is not real. Foundations of Physics, 54 (19). ISSN 1572-9516
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Abstract
In this paper, I present a new analysis of the meaning of the phase in quantum mechanics. First, I give a simple but rigorous proof that the global phase is not real in psi-ontic quantum theories. Next, I argue that a similar strategy cannot be used to prove the reality of the global phase due to the existence of the tails of the wave function. Finally, I argue that the relative phase is not a nonlocal property of two regions together, and adding a relative phase to one local branch of a superposition only changes the local properties at the boundary of the region of the branch.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Keywords: | quantum mechanics; global phase; psi-ontic theorems; tails of the wave function; relative phase | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances General Issues > Theory/Observation |
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| Depositing User: | Prof. Shan Gao | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 22 Apr 2024 22:56 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 22 Apr 2024 22:56 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 23309 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Foundations of Physics | ||||||
| Publisher: | Springer | ||||||
| Official URL: | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10701-0... | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1007/s10701-024-00754-w | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances General Issues > Theory/Observation |
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| Date: | 21 April 2024 | ||||||
| Volume: | 54 | ||||||
| Number: | 19 | ||||||
| ISSN: | 1572-9516 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23309 |
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Why the global phase is not real. (deposited 28 Jan 2024 11:10)
- Why the global phase is not real. (deposited 22 Apr 2024 22:56) [Currently Displayed]
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