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Does Bell's Theorem apply to non-local HV theories?
I know that Bell says it doesn't, and he has included logic intended to make separability a requirement. But consider this argument:
What does it mean to say there are hidden variables? Einstein said: "I think that a particle must have a separate reality independent of the measurements. That is: an electron has spin, location and so forth even when it is not being measured. I like to think that the moon is there even if I am not looking at it." In Bell's original paper, he says it is when there are well-defined values for the results of measurements that are NOT made. (Bell: "It follows that c is another unit vector...") This is expressed mathematically by imagining that there is an A measurement, a B measurement, and a C measurement. Only 2 of these are actually made (one on each of 2 entangled particles), the 3rd is hypothetical (assumed). We want to determine if all 3 exist simultaneously.
Thus: It doesn't matter under what mechanism or set of determining factors/variables the outcomes are calculated or determined, the only assumption is that the outcomes have a likelihood of occurance in the range 0 to 1. Thus, if we measure at A=0 degrees, B=67.5 degrees and C=45 degrees, and are looking for + or - as possible results, then there are 8 permutations:
[1]A+ B+ C+
[2]A+ B+ C-
[3]A+ B- C+
[4]A+ B- C-
[5]A- B+ C+
[6]A- B+ C-
[7]A- B- C+
[8]A- B- C-
So far, we have followed Bell's argument without inserting any condition relating to separability of the hidden variable functions of A, B or C.
However, in this case the combined QM predicted likelihood of the [2] and [7] cases is less than zero. (For the derivation of this figure, see Bell's Theorem and Negative Probabilities.) In fact, it is -.1036 which is nonsensical, therefore indicating that our original assumption that A, B and C are well defined simultaneously is incorrect IF we are to have results compatible with QM.
It didn't matter to my proof that the polarizers are in communication with each other or not. I don't care if there is FTL signalling or guide waves or similar. I don't care how the various cases are calculated or determined, or if the various results are influenced by space-like separated polarizer settings. I don't care if the [2] and [7] cases are rare. The fact is, if there are 8 permutations, then 2 of them cannot have negative expectation values.
By my thinking, this argument should apply to any hidden variable theory - local or not. The only assumption I make is that there is a definite value (either + or -) for an observable that is not actually observed. So I believe that even non-local theories must sport an observer dependent reality. And by observer dependent, I mean that there is not simultaneous reality to non-commuting observables. I.e. the moon is not there when you are not looking at it. (Please note that this does not literally mean the moon is not there when you are not looking at it. It is just a metaphor.)
Your thoughts are invited. Thanks in advance.
I know that Bell says it doesn't, and he has included logic intended to make separability a requirement. But consider this argument:
What does it mean to say there are hidden variables? Einstein said: "I think that a particle must have a separate reality independent of the measurements. That is: an electron has spin, location and so forth even when it is not being measured. I like to think that the moon is there even if I am not looking at it." In Bell's original paper, he says it is when there are well-defined values for the results of measurements that are NOT made. (Bell: "It follows that c is another unit vector...") This is expressed mathematically by imagining that there is an A measurement, a B measurement, and a C measurement. Only 2 of these are actually made (one on each of 2 entangled particles), the 3rd is hypothetical (assumed). We want to determine if all 3 exist simultaneously.
Thus: It doesn't matter under what mechanism or set of determining factors/variables the outcomes are calculated or determined, the only assumption is that the outcomes have a likelihood of occurance in the range 0 to 1. Thus, if we measure at A=0 degrees, B=67.5 degrees and C=45 degrees, and are looking for + or - as possible results, then there are 8 permutations:
[1]A+ B+ C+
[2]A+ B+ C-
[3]A+ B- C+
[4]A+ B- C-
[5]A- B+ C+
[6]A- B+ C-
[7]A- B- C+
[8]A- B- C-
So far, we have followed Bell's argument without inserting any condition relating to separability of the hidden variable functions of A, B or C.
However, in this case the combined QM predicted likelihood of the [2] and [7] cases is less than zero. (For the derivation of this figure, see Bell's Theorem and Negative Probabilities.) In fact, it is -.1036 which is nonsensical, therefore indicating that our original assumption that A, B and C are well defined simultaneously is incorrect IF we are to have results compatible with QM.
It didn't matter to my proof that the polarizers are in communication with each other or not. I don't care if there is FTL signalling or guide waves or similar. I don't care how the various cases are calculated or determined, or if the various results are influenced by space-like separated polarizer settings. I don't care if the [2] and [7] cases are rare. The fact is, if there are 8 permutations, then 2 of them cannot have negative expectation values.
By my thinking, this argument should apply to any hidden variable theory - local or not. The only assumption I make is that there is a definite value (either + or -) for an observable that is not actually observed. So I believe that even non-local theories must sport an observer dependent reality. And by observer dependent, I mean that there is not simultaneous reality to non-commuting observables. I.e. the moon is not there when you are not looking at it. (Please note that this does not literally mean the moon is not there when you are not looking at it. It is just a metaphor.)
Your thoughts are invited. Thanks in advance.