Completeness for a single particle

In summary, the conversation discusses a different argument than the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox which suggests that quantum mechanics is incomplete. The argument involves a single electron passing through a hole and being detected at two points. It is explained that this is forbidden by the conservation of electric charge. The use of quantum field theory can solve this issue, but it makes the calculations more complicated.
  • #1
jk22
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Another argument than EPR that quantum mechanics were not complete by Einstein is the following : suppose a single electron passing through a hole and going further to a spherical detector. Quantum mechanics describes this as a wavefunction fulling the whole space inside the sphere and then collapsing to a single point on the screen.

The question was in this description which process forbids that the wavefunction collapses in two points ? There should be an instantaneous interaction ?
 
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  • #2
Detecting the electron at two points is forbidden by conservation of electric charge. If it were a photon, then it's more complicated, but the detected photons would have to have energies that added up to that of the original photon.
 
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  • #3
For photons It is simply solved by quantum field theory ?
 
  • #4
jk22 said:
For photons It is simply solved by quantum field theory ?

Yes, the typical QM thought experiments ignore self-interactions and assume the particle will only interact with a screens, filters, or the detectors. If you use QFT you can consistently treat all of the other possible interactions at the risk of making things very complicated. But the amplitudes by construction satisfy the ordinary QM rules.
 
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1. What is completeness for a single particle?

Completeness for a single particle refers to the idea that all the information about the state of a single particle can be fully described by a complete set of quantum numbers. This means that the state of the particle can be described with certainty, without any ambiguity or uncertainty.

2. How is completeness determined for a single particle?

Completeness for a single particle is determined by a set of quantum numbers that uniquely define the state of the particle. These quantum numbers can include things like the particle's position, momentum, energy, and spin. If a set of quantum numbers can accurately describe the state of the particle, then it is considered complete.

3. Why is completeness important for understanding single particles?

Completeness is important for understanding single particles because it allows us to have a complete understanding of their state and behavior. By knowing all the quantum numbers that describe a particle, we can make accurate predictions and calculations about its behavior and interactions with other particles.

4. Can completeness ever be violated for a single particle?

No, completeness cannot be violated for a single particle. This is because the laws of quantum mechanics dictate that a particle's state can be fully described by a complete set of quantum numbers. Any violation of completeness would go against these fundamental laws and principles.

5. How does completeness for a single particle relate to the larger field of quantum mechanics?

Completeness for a single particle is an important concept in the field of quantum mechanics. It is closely related to the principle of superposition, which states that a particle can exist in multiple states simultaneously. Completeness allows us to understand and predict the behavior of particles in this state of superposition, which is essential in many quantum mechanical phenomena and technologies.

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