What is Interpretations: Definition and 143 Discussions

An interpretation of quantum mechanics is an attempt to explain how the mathematical theory of quantum mechanics "corresponds" to reality. Although quantum mechanics has held up to rigorous and extremely precise tests in an extraordinarily broad range of experiments (not one prediction from quantum mechanics has been found to be contradicted by experiments), there exist a number of contending schools of thought over their interpretation. These views on interpretation differ on such fundamental questions as whether quantum mechanics is deterministic or stochastic, which elements of quantum mechanics can be considered real, and what the nature of measurement is, among other matters.
Despite nearly a century of debate and experiment, no consensus has been reached among physicists and philosophers of physics concerning which interpretation best "represents" reality.

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  1. Demystifier

    Quantum QM Textbooks with Interpretations

    Quantum interpretations is the most controversial aspect of quantum mechanics (QM). Many feel that such controversial stuff should not be thought in general QM textbooks. Nevertheless, a large number of general QM textbooks contain relatively large sections or chapters on such controversial...
  2. thenewmans

    Retrocausality interpretations for fermions

    This question is about experiments involving entangled electrons or any other fermion for that matter. I’ll get to that in a sec. I’ve been interested in understanding interpretations that have retrocausality. (TIQM by Cramer, Wheeler–Feynman absorber, time symmetric by Price) It’s easy to...
  3. J

    Possibility that all current interpretations of QM are wrong

    Is there a possibility that none of the current interpretations of QM are right? Or is the current interpretations all that there will be on the table?
  4. N

    Many Worlds Interpretations and probabilities

    This probably has been asked before but I didn't find it. As I understand it with the Many Worlds Interpretation of quantum mechanics, a different "world" exists for each outcome. I have read about the an issue regarding probability outcomes within a world but cannot remember the answer. The...
  5. O

    I Doesn't wave duality for massive objects favor pilot-wave?

    It is well known that wave particle duality was also observed with large particles up to 10000 amu: Abstract of Paper : https://arxiv.org/abs/1310.8343 Doesn't that make pilot wave theory a more logical interpretation? For example it is easier than the whole material becoming a wave...
  6. N

    I Non linear interpretations of QM and string theory?

    Are interpretations that are non linear with respect to the wave function (eg. GRW, transactional) compatible with string theory?
  7. N

    I Do nonlocal QM interpretations violate relativity?

    Do interpretations of QM that are non local (Bohmian, collapse, transactional) violate relativity since they allow for faster than light travel?
  8. S

    I Exploring the Experiments & Interpretations of Quantum Physics

    If you were to explain what quantum physics is by first introducing the historic experiments/observations undertaken by scientists and then explain the different possible accepted interpretations and theory... How many experiments would you need at least? Which ones? Double Split Experiment...
  9. G

    Classical and quantum interpretations of electromagnetic radiation

    Hi, So I can get the idea that the ac current in a radio transmitter produces radio waves of the same frequency of the ac supply, just like shaking a slinky sprung up and down but how does this translate into the radio waves as actually coming out as photons and for that matter other than...
  10. Andreas C

    I What do you think of the alternate interpretations of QM?

    The standard interpretation of QM advocates that there are no "hidden variables", and that the universe is not deterministic. Sure, maybe Bell's work supports that view, but there exist some deterministic theories of quantum mechanics (like the De Broglie-Bohm theory) or other stuff, like the...
  11. A. Neumaier

    I Many measurements are not covered by Born's rule

    1. Within the framework of a Hilbert space for an atom one cannot find an observable in the sense of ''self-adjoint Hermitian operator'' that would describe the measurement of the frequency of a spectral line of the atom. For the latter is given by the differences of two eigenvalues of the...
  12. tomdodd4598

    I SQM vs Pilot Waves - Potential issue with Pilot Waves?

    Hey there. I'm not a expert in quantum mechanics, although have some experience with it, but I'm certainly far from being an expert when it comes to the pilot wave interpretation. For whatever reason, pilot waves have been mentioned quite a lot recently, and so I decided to take a closer look at...
  13. entropy1

    Is there any interpretation covering this?

    I was wondering if it is possible that not only the past influences (or causes) the future, but also the converse, that the future influences the past. I imagine waves of probability propagating from the future into the past as well as from the past into the future, thereby influencing each...
  14. G

    I Determinism, realism, hidden variables

    Hi. I'm still confused about those three concepts. They sound pretty much the same to me, but this does not comply with Wikipedia's table of comparison of QM interpretations, where pretty much all combinations seem to be present. Actually, is the "Wavefunction real?" column even about...
  15. sunrah

    A Delayed choice interpretations

    I just came across the delayed choice quantum eraser experiments (kim et al 1999) through Wheeler's astronomical delayed choice thought experiment and I can't stop thinking about it :-( I would like to get some ideas on how people interpret this, either the general physics community consensus...
  16. Truecrimson

    I "Single-world interpretations.... cannot be self-consistent"

    A new preprint by Daniela Frauchiger and Renato Renner argues that any interpretation of quantum theory that posits only a single world gives contradictory predictions provided that an observer (which makes predictions) can be observed (Wigner's friend scenarios). This might be of interest to...
  17. F

    I New interpretations of the Pioneer effect ?

    Dear all I' d like to draw the attention on (and discuss) something extremely strange i noticed in recent publications related to the Pioneer effect. This does not require more than undergraduate level and its only about very basic classical physics : the Doppler effect and nothing else! After...
  18. henry wang

    I What are the interpretations of Convolution integral?

    Physically or mathematically, what does the Convolution integral compute?
  19. olgerm

    I Are there any alternative interpretations to GR?

    Are there any interpretation to general relativity that described gravity as field (which do not have to be vectorfield, but may have 10 components) and physical-space as classical euclidean space? Can it be mathematically proven that such interpretation can not exist? I am not talking about...
  20. aleazk

    Tools to enrich our quantum mechanics interpretations discourse - Comments

    aleazk submitted a new PF Insights post Tools to Enrich our Quantum Mechanics Interpretations Discourse Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  21. entropy1

    Can QM interpretations be reconciled?

    Is there already consesus in the (mainstream) scientific world that the various interpretations of QM can't and won't be reconsiled? (unless, perhaps, they find a completely different mathematical framework?) And what is the cause of that? :smile:
  22. entropy1

    QM interpretations defined as eigenvalues?

    And back again with a strange/odd layman question: Actually, this remark of Jilang is a perfect illustration of what I am wondering about: It seems as if realism and locality are behaving like two eigenstates in a space of interpretations of QM. Most people seem to suggest that you must have...
  23. J

    I Are quantum interpretations just religions within science?

    I like science in part because I thought religion is irrelevant to science. Science is at its basis simply exploration married to intelligent analysis. When I read about quantum physics interpretations I hear about proponents (followers) of these different interpretations. What is religion...
  24. M

    Interpretations, urban legends, and Hawking

    [Mentor's note: Moved out from another thread where it was a bit of a digression] "Yeah, well, there are some people who spend an awful lot of time talking about the interpretation of quantum mechanics. My attitude -- I would paraphrase Goering -- is that when I hear of Schrödinger's cat, I...
  25. G

    Spins and Qubits: Exploring Determinism in Measurements

    I'm aware that this is a very basic question, yet I hope to get a non-trivial answer :wink: Let's assume to have an apparatus A (to make measurements) that is oriented in space. We first point it along the z axis and measure a spin σz = 1. Then we rotate the apparatus through an angle of ½π...
  26. T

    Geometric interpretations of double/triple integrals

    I am currently taking calculus 3 and I am a little confused about the concept of double and triple integrals. Analytically, it's a breeze. I understand how to set limits, do all calculations, etc. What my question is, when I get an answer, what does the answer "mean"? For example, in this...
  27. Thomasphysicist

    Odd delayed choice interferometer interpretations

    This thread is about my not understanding the conclusion that scientists came to that the photon makes a 'decision' on how to travel. In a simple interferometer experiment, a photon displays interference fringes only when a second beam splitter is present. According to Wiki, this led scientists...
  28. M

    What exactly are interpretations of quantum mechanics?

    What exactly are interpretations of quantum mechanics? Is only one of them correct?
  29. D

    Everett's interpretations and Macroscopic quantum states

    Max Tegmark in his paper “Many worlds in context” http://arxiv.org/abs/0905.2182 Argues that …. .“Everett’s MWI is simply standard QM with the collapse postulate removed, so that the Schrödinger equation holds without exception”. He also argues that from this we can deduce that not only...
  30. Pete Hammand

    Interpretations of QP: How Can Consciousness Be Eliminated from Any System?

    Hello everybody, I am new to these forums, and am curious to hear from people who know QP what in their opinion, is the best interpretation? I have heard many ways it can be interpreted, and none of them seem satisfactory to me. For example, is it a possibility that the conscious observer is...
  31. DrClaude

    Exploring Quantum Phenomena: Many Interacting Worlds Approach

    What do you guys think about this? Quantum Phenomena Modeled by Interactions between Many Classical Worlds Michael J. W. Hall, Dirk-André Deckert, and Howard M. Wiseman Phys. Rev X 4, 041013 (2014) We investigate whether quantum theory can be understood as the continuum limit of a mechanical...
  32. T

    How to talk about interpretations

    What is a correct way to answer (here, on PhysicsForums) interpretation-dependent questions? I mean, without confusing people, but providing different points of view, but without starting "interpretation wars"?
  33. noir1993

    Books on Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics

    What are some good textbooks dealing with various Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics? I am not asking for popular science books. I have a book called 'Understanding Quantum Mechanics' by Ronald Omens on the consistent histories approach and I am looking for something like that.
  34. 1

    Incorrect interpretations of statistical results

    There had been a case in the UK where a woman's two babies died one after the other. Then some apparent statistician concluded 'If the chance of that occurring is 1 in a million, then she must have killed her babies'. Later, a very long court of law had been doing research on it and she appeared...
  35. K

    Experiments without Interpretations

    I'm trying to just find the bare bones of the actual experiments done in quantum mechanics without any interpretations of what the results are. For instance, in the double slit experiment I'm told that observation is what causes the wave function to collapse. How many different ways and...
  36. G

    Wikipedia comparison of interpretations of QM

    Hi, I'm studying http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpretations_of_quantum_mechanics#Comparison_of_interpretations but have trouble with the apparent differences of the key concepts: * deterministic - unique history * wavefunction real - hidden variables - counterfactual definiteness I...
  37. M

    Division between QM and Interpretations

    Trying to relate a bit better to where QM stops, and Interpretations begin. Especially with respect to Decoherence. Is Decoherence seen as a measurable phenomena, or, just as a "possible" explanation for measurable phenomena? Obviously when I mark a path in a 2 slit experiment I cause...
  38. J

    Interpretations vs. Non-Interpretations (e.g. Ensemble)

    Recall the famous "Shut up and calculate interpretation". Should it be called an interpretation? The content of the interpretation is "don't interpret quantum mechanics". I argue that for certain purposes it would make sense to distinguish between interpretations (like Many Worlds and...
  39. P

    Quantum Mechanics Interpretations?

    When an object's state is determined and ultimately decided as one, what happens to the wave functions as the property of the object is determined? The Copenhagen interpretation suggest that the wave function "collapses" into one. The many-worlds interpretation suggests that each possible...
  40. Q

    Physical interpretations of Schrodingers equation

    1. Hi all, I am doing a practice exam attempt and I am stuck on this question: What is the physical interpretation of |ψ(r,t)| and |ψ(r,t)|^2? Can the wavefunction |ψ(r,t)| be measured directly? My attempt was: The Schrodinger equation describes the relationship between the energy...
  41. thenewmans

    What interpretations break causality instead of locality?

    By Bell’s theorem, an interpretation of QM must break either locality or causality. Linked below is the only interpretation I know of that chooses to maintain locality. (I don't know many.) Do you know of any others? CAUSALLY SYMMETRIC BOHM MODEL...
  42. G

    Annual survey of QM interpretations

    A long time ago, maybe 6 months, I saw an annual survey of which QM interpretation people adhered to and there was a list of maybe 10 different interpretations. I tried to find it again but couldn't. I used the advanced search tool for about 15 minutes but couldn't find anything. Does anyone...
  43. JK423

    Different interpretations? No, different theories

    I was reading Everett's paper http://rmp.aps.org/abstract/RMP/v29/i3/p454_1 on the "Relative State" Formulation of Quantum Mechanics, and i realized that this is not an interpretation experimentally equivalent to other "interpretations" like the Copenhagen.. These are different theories that...
  44. D

    Which of these interpretations of the modulus squared of wavefunction is right?

    Does |\psi(\mathbf{x},t)|^2d^3\mathbf{x} or |\psi(\mathbf{x},t)|^2d^3\mathbf{x}dt give the probability of a particle to collapse at the point \mathbf{x} at time t? Griffiths sides with the former, but I'm having doubts.
  45. C

    Psychology of QM Interpretations Studied?

    Does anyone know of a psychological study done of the various people who take different positions in the debates about interpretation of quantum mechanics? I mean something that would analyze the philosophical reasons for the arguments, and the emotional drives that might lead physicists to...
  46. maverick280857

    Ising Model Monte Carlo - interpretations

    Ising Model Monte Carlo -- interpretations Hi, I am trying to solve and understand the classical Ising Model through a classical Monte Carlo simulation. I notice that if I begin with a ferromagnetic initial state, then the magnetization is more or less constant for a wide range of temperatures...
  47. F

    Local interpretations of quantum mechanics

    I was wondering if anyone knows whether there exist strictly local interpretations of quantum mechanics. I understand that Bell's theorem tells us that any hidden variable theory must be non-local if it is to give QM. But what about other interpretations such as many worlds? It is obvious that...
  48. Vectronix

    Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics (is there a general consensus?)

    Hi :) I recently read a book that states that most scientists believe the wave function represents a real field (i.e., one that possesses energy and momentum). I think this is part of the transactional interpretation of QM but not sure... can anyone confirm whether the book I read is right...
  49. N

    Are Both Sensible Interpretations of Poisson Behavior?

    Are both sensible (equivalent? contradictory?) interpretations of "Poisson" behavior? I've come across two quite distinct notions (or so it seems to me, anyway) of Poisson behavior and I'm not sure if they're equally sensible or perhaps even equivalent. I'll apply both "views" to the same case...
  50. N

    Schrödinger's cat and many world interpretations

    In the Schrödinger cat's experiment if the observer decide not to interact with cat directly by opening the box but rather by bringing the interaction of Geiger counter and radioactive substance to see if the cat's alive then why the de-coherence will occur?
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