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arXiv:1307.1714quant-ph

Can Bohmian mechanics be made relativistic?

Detlef Dürr, Sheldon Goldstein, Travis Norsen, Ward Struyve, Nino Zanghì

Abstract

In relativistic space-time, Bohmian theories can be formulated by introducing a privileged foliation of space-time. The introduction of such a foliation - as extra absolute space-time structure - would seem to imply a clear violation of Lorentz invariance, and thus a conflict with fundamental relativity. Here, we consider the possibility that, instead of positing it as extra structure, the required foliation could be covariantly determined by the wave function. We argue that this allows for the formulation of Bohmian theories that seem to qualify as fundamentally Lorentz invariant. We conclude with some discussion of whether or not they might also qualify as fundamentally relativistic.

arXiv comments
15 pages, no figures, LaTex; v2 minor additions
Journal reference
Proc. R. Soc. A 470, 20130699 (2014)
DOI
doi:10.1098/rspa.2013.0699
Subjects
quant-phQuantum Physics

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Linked by 4 identifiable commenters in 9 comments across 8 threads, from Oct 2016 to Jan 2023.

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Discussed in comments8 threads

  1. Synchronous Observation of Bell Nonlocality and State-Dependent Contextuality 1 comment

    • If you want to write, "Bohmian mechanics is incompatible with special relativity", then I will agree with you. If you want to write, "therefore special relativity is wrong", then do so, and we'll have a lot less to talk about given how well-supported special relativity is by…

      raattgiftView on HNParent context

  2. Physics Without Probability (2015) [video] 1 comment

    • > Whether pilot wave theory can be made consistent with at least special relativity is still open as far as I know It can be made consistent, namely, adding a foliation (a notion of a canonical present moment) makes it work out fine. The foliation is not detectable, it gives the…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

  3. The Trouble with Many Worlds 1 comment

    • What EPR and Bell's arguments showed is that if you have definite results of experiments at the space-time locations where/when we think the results happened, then there has to be something non-local going on and a foliation is the simplest way to orchestrate that. So either…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

  4. Do electrons think? (1949) 1 comment

    • Relativistic extensions aren't pleasant in standard QM either. Bohmian formalism would require something perhaps no less aesthetically repulsive, but surely more alien: a preferred foliation of spacetime to avoid a preferred reference frame. Turns out it wouldn't have to be an…

      thraway180306View on HNParent context

  5. Lost in Math 1 comment

    • The standard stuff of the Copenhagen interpretation is derivable from Bohmian mechanics, to the extent that the collapse in Copenhagen is sufficiently well-specified. This obviously prevents finding experimental disagreements. One thing that is somewhat problematic from an…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

  6. What If Time Really Exists? (2008) 1 comment

    • > While the Copenhagen interpretation can skirt the issue completely, Bohm's must wrangle with the implications of both relativity and non-locality and no one has been completely successful as such. Some might consider that a feature. John Bell of Bell's theorem thought QM's…

      naaskingView on HNParent context

  7. Why don't more physicists subscribe to pilot wave theory? 2 comments

    • A big difference is that standard analysis is well-defined on its own. The standard Copenhagen interpretation is simply not a well-defined theory because measurement is not well-defined, e.g., the cat problem. A more appropriate analogy to the SA v NSA would be GRW formulation…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

    • > Pilot Wave posits a bunch of extra crap and derives the Born rule. Regular / MWI QM posits the born rule and skips the extra crap. They're both positing something - but the Born rule is a far simpler claim Except it's not, because you also have to posit the measurement…

      naaskingView on HNParent context

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

    • The tension is not with FTL, but rather with the tension of a seeming need in QM for "now" and that in relativity of "not now". There are a number of ways to work in a "now" in a way compatible with the mathematics of relativity. For a full exploration of these ideas, one can…

      jostylrView on HNParent context

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