Stoica, Ovidiu Cristinel (2008) A Direct Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The Quantum Mechanics is interpreted, in this article, in a simple and direct way. By combining the unitary evolution with the quantum condition that observations require the state vector to be an eigenstate of the observable, a discontinuity in evolution (the state vector reduction) seems to be mandatory. Thus, for each such discontinuity, new initial conditions for the time evolution state vector are needed, and they are obtained by measurements. Delayed-choice experiments suggest that these new initial conditions are specified after the discontinuity takes place. Consequently, because it needs initial conditions that can be specified with a delay, the time evolving state vector is semi-realistic (in the sense that it is not completely specified until the measurement is performed), and not entirely realistic. The collapse of the wave function, especially when it is combined with the entanglement, seems to be a non-local phenomenon. In fact, the non-locality is present only as a consistency requirement for the initial conditions needed to select a solution of the evolution equation. The Direct Interpretation is intended to provide to our intuition a physical background, for helping us thinking about quantum phenomena. It identifies the main counterintuitive parts of the Quantum Mechanics in the discontinuity and the delayed initial conditions. Because it makes minimal assumptions, it is compatible with the main interpretations of Quantum Mechanics. Two principal unclear points of Quantum Mechanics are identified in the discontinuities, and the measurement problem. Both problems will be approached in subsequent articles.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Stoica, Ovidiu Cristinel
Keywords:	Quantum mechanics interpretation; state vector reduction; wave function collapse; projection postulate; unitary evolution; delayed initial conditions; delayed choice; realism; non-locality; entanglement.
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Ovidiu Cristinel Stoica
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2008
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:17
Item ID:	4200
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	September 2008
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4200

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• A Direct Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. (deposited 15 Sep 2008)
  • A Direct Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. (deposited 23 Sep 2008) [Currently Displayed]

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