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arXiv:0903.2211quant-ph

Many-Worlds and Schroedinger's First Quantum Theory

Valia Allori, Sheldon Goldstein, Roderich Tumulka, Nino Zanghi

Abstract

Schroedinger's first proposal for the interpretation of quantum mechanics was based on a postulate relating the wave function on configuration space to charge density in physical space. Schroedinger apparently later thought that his proposal was empirically wrong. We argue here that this is not the case, at least for a very similar proposal with charge density replaced by mass density. We argue that when analyzed carefully this theory is seen to be an empirically adequate many-worlds theory and not an empirically inadequate theory describing a single world. Moreover, this formulation--Schroedinger's first quantum theory--can be regarded as a formulation of the many-worlds view of quantum mechanics that is ontologically clearer than Everett's.

arXiv comments
25 pages LaTeX, no figures; v2 minor improvements
Journal reference
British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 62(1): 1-27 (2011)
DOI
doi:10.1093/bjps/axp053
Subjects
quant-phQuantum Physics physics.hist-phHistory and Philosophy of Physics

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Discussed in comments8 threads

  1. A New Theorem Maps Out the Limits of Quantum Physics 1 comment

    • One thing to look at is how is the theory formulated. Standard QM seems to build its Hilbert space of wave functions from functions over R^3N. It has a Hamiltonian built out of the notions of that space. So configuration space seems pretty crucial. But configuration of what? If…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

  2. The Trouble with Many Worlds 1 comment

    • > We decide to have a theory about particles. I would say that's exactly where Bohm runs off the rails. The fact of the matter is that quantum systems are not particles. They are waves [1]. They can sometimes bunch up into very small spaces and behave to a very good…

      lisperView on HNParent context

  3. Quantum observers with knowledge of quantum mechanics break reality 1 comment

    • In a perfectly mathematically coherent version of Everett: https://arxiv.org/abs/0903.2211, the idea is to integrate out the wave function to get a mass density on 3 space. This mass density on 3-space is a mess at any particular moment, but one can witness its evolution over…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

  4. Why don't more physicists subscribe to pilot wave theory? 1 comment

    • I have never understood what the classic Many World Interpretation actually is. Splitting of universes has the same problem as collapse and probabilities become rather nebulous since presumably all possibilities do happen, after all. But there is a version of it which does make…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

  5. How Schrödinger’s Cat Became Such a Violent Fable 1 comment

    • You have to be clear about what is real in the theory. Many worlds presentations often suffer from this as they often talk about splitting universes, whatever that would mean. A nice version which might coincide with what is in mind for einselection is to take the wave function…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

  6. There exists a classical model of the photon after all 1 comment

    • Try reading http://arxiv.org/pdf/0903.2211.pdf This basically presents many worlds as a mass density obtained by integrating out the wave function. The worlds we see can be traced through the evolution, like two videos overlain on each other can be deduced over time.

      jostylrView on HNParent context

  7. Have We Been Interpreting Quantum Mechanics Wrong This Whole Time? 1 comment

    • If you want a rigorously defined and clear version of many worlds, I recommend http://arxiv.org/pdf/0903.2211.pdf It uses the (uncollapsed) wave function to have a mass density on physical space. There are many realities, if you like, implied, but they all move about in a…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

  8. Fluid Tests Hint at Concrete Quantum Reality 1 comment

    • The clearest version of Many Worlds that I have seen is from the "Bohmians": http://arxiv.org/pdf/0903.2211.pdf Basically, you get a mass density on physical space by integrating over the wave function. Then you have correlations of changes in the mass density. Reality becomes a…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

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