Can the Universe's Dynamics Be Influenced by Quantum Measurement Frequency?

[Berlin]

I was tought that a physical measurement must be seen as an irreversible collapse of the wavefunction. I always thought that this is an ill defined statement. But let's assume that some macroscopic system is able to perform this act and that it is part of physical reality.

My questions: has someone figured out how many "macroscopic systems (or ensembles?)" in the universe are capable of doing measurements and can one thus calculate the amount of measurement per second (or volume) which should occur in the universe? Never be afraid asking stupid questions!

I have the feeling that forcing a lot of particles into their localisation /momentum /spin or whatever eigenstate should have a calculable influence on the dynamics of the universe or could break symmetries. Indeed, when you open the box with schroedingers cat, and you have a mechanism where one dead cat increases the chance for a next dead cat in another box you will have a running effect away from symmetry. Something like spontaneous magnetization. Any literature on this?

Berlin

 

[AndyW]

, Germany


Thank you for your interesting questions. I am happy to provide some insights and information on the topics you have raised.

Firstly, the concept of wavefunction collapse is a very interesting and widely debated topic in quantum mechanics. While it is often described as an irreversible process, there is still much debate on the exact mechanism and nature of this collapse. Some theories propose that the collapse is a result of interaction with a measuring device, while others suggest it is a fundamental feature of the universe.

To address your question on the number of macroscopic systems capable of performing measurements, it is important to note that the term "macroscopic" is relative and can vary depending on the context. In general, any system that is large enough to be observed or measured can be considered macroscopic. Therefore, it is safe to say that there are countless macroscopic systems in the universe capable of performing measurements.

As for the frequency of measurements in the universe, it is difficult to calculate as it would depend on various factors such as the size and complexity of the systems involved, the frequency of interactions, and the nature of the measurements being made. It is also important to consider that not all measurements result in a collapse of the wavefunction, as some may only provide partial information about the system.

Regarding your question on the potential influence of forcing particles into eigenstates, there is ongoing research on the effects of measurement and observation on quantum systems. Some studies have shown that repeated measurements can indeed lead to changes in the behavior and properties of these systems, but more research is needed to fully understand the implications of this.

In terms of literature on the topic, I would recommend looking into papers and studies on the measurement problem in quantum mechanics, as well as research on the effects of observation and measurement on quantum systems. There is also ongoing research on the concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking, which may be of interest to you.

I hope this information has been helpful. Please do not hesitate to ask further questions or request clarification. As scientists, it is important to continually question and seek understanding, so there is no such thing as a "stupid" question. Thank you for your curiosity and interest in these complex topics.