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arXiv:quant-ph/0210150quant-ph

The "Chaotic Ball" model,local realism and the Bell test loopholes

Caroline H. Thompson, Horst Holstein

Abstract

It has long been known that the "detection loophole", present when detector efficiencies are below a critical figure, could open the way for alternative "local realist" explanations for the violation of Bell tests. It has in recent years become common to assume the loophole can be ignored, regardless of which version of the Bell test is employed. A simple model is presented that illustrates that this may not be justified. Two of the versions -- the standard test of form -2 <= S <= 2 and the currently-popular "visibility" test -- are at grave risk of bias. Statements implying that experimental evidence "refutes local realism" or shows that the quantum world really is "weird" should be reviewed. The detection loophole is on its own unlikely to account for more than one or two test violations, but when taken in conjunction with other loopholes (briefly discussed) it is seen that the experiments refute only a narrow class of "local hidden variable" models, applicable to idealised situations, not to the real world. The full class of local realist models provides straightforward explanations not only for the publicised Bell-test violations but also for some lesser-known "anomalies".

arXiv comments
Minor changes made and addresses updated. Related material now at http://freespace.virgin.net/ch.thompson1/
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
quant-phQuantum Physics

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Discussed in comments9 threads

  1. Violation of Bell inequality by photon scattering on a two-level emitter 1 comment

    • Anyone know if there has been follow up to Caroline Thomphson's work after she passed away? https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0210150

      floxyView on HNParent context

  2. How Bell’s Theorem proved ‘spooky action at a distance’ is real 1 comment

    • "This is the first of a set of papers that look at actual Einstein-Podolksy-Rosen (EPR) experiments from the point of view of a scientifically and statistically literate person who is not a specialist in quantum theory." https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/9611037 ...I wonder if…

      flubertView on HNParent context

  3. NASA confirms that the ‘impossible’ EmDrive thruster really works 1 comment
  4. There exists a classical model of the photon after all 1 comment

    • I'm not a physicist, but I've always wondered about Caroline Thompson's work, like: "Chaotic Ball" model, local realism and the Bell test loopholes http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0210150 ...any thoughts?

      GregBuchholzView on HNParent context

  5. 'Solid' light could compute previously unsolvable problems 1 comment

    • I'm not a physicist, but I've always wondered about Caroline Thompson's work, like: "Chaotic Ball" model, local realism and the Bell test loopholes http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0210150

      GregBuchholzView on HNParent context

  6. Fluid Tests Hint at Concrete Quantum Reality 1 comment

    • >Plus, how do we rectify it with Bell's theorem on hidden variables? I'm not a physicist, but I've always wondered about Caroline Thompson's work, like: "Chaotic Ball" model, local realism and the Bell test loopholes http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0210150

      GregBuchholzView on HNParent context

  7. Big Breakthroughs Come in Your Late 30s 1 comment

    • I'm not a physicist, but I'd be interested in people's opinions on: "Chaotic Ball" model,local realism and the Bell test loopholes. http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0210150

      GregBuchholzView on HNParent context

  8. Quantum entanglement shows that reality can't be local 1 comment

    • Non-physicst here. What do you think of Caroline Thompson's work, like: "Chaotic Ball" model,local realism and the Bell test loopholes http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0210150 ...I've always wondered if much of the Einstein-was-wrong business is really a category error. I…

      GregBuchholzView on HNParent context

  9. Spooky Action at a Distance 1 comment

    • I found this paper interesting: The "Chaotic Ball" model,local realism and the Bell test loopholes (http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0210150):

      GregBuchholzView on HNParent context

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