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Understanding Branching in the Many-worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

Gao, Shan (2024) Understanding Branching in the Many-worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

It has been recently debated whether world branching in the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics (MWI) is global or local. In this paper, I present a new analysis of the branching process in MWI. First, I argue that branching is not global. Next, I argue that branching is not necessarily local either, and it can be nonlocal for particles being in an entangled state. Third, I argue that for nonlocal branching there is action at a distance in each branching world, and as a result, there is also a preferred Lorentz frame in the world. However, the action at a distance in each world is apparent in the sense that there is no action at a distance and resulting preferred Lorentz frame in the whole worlds, and thus MWI is consistent with special relativity.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Gao, Shansgao7319@uni.sydney.edu.au
Keywords: quantum mechanics; many-worlds interpretation; global branching; local branching; nonlocal branching; action at a distance; special relativity
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User: Prof. Shan Gao
Date Deposited: 24 Jul 2024 15:30
Last Modified: 24 Jul 2024 15:30
Item ID: 23724
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date: 22 July 2024
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23724

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