Doesn't MWI violate Lorentz Invariance?

In summary, the conversation discusses the issues of Lorentz symmetry in different interpretations of quantum mechanics. It is noted that both the Many Worlds and collapse interpretations violate Lorentz symmetry in some way, and that a proper relativistic version of QM can only be found in quantum field theory. The conversation also touches upon the importance and limitations of using non-relativistic theories, and the need for an interpretation of specially relativistic quantum mechanics.
  • #1
Nickyv2423
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Doesn't the Many Worlds Interpretation violate Lorentz symmetry when the universe splits?
 
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  • #2
Yes, but so do collapse interpretations when the wave function collapses everywhere all at the same time. No matter what interpretation you use, "ordinary" quantum mechanics, the stuff you study in the first year or so of college QM, is non-relativistic and doesn't even pretend to be Lorentz invariant. You won't find a proper relativistic version of QM until you step up to quantum field theory.
 
  • #3
Nugatory said:
Yes, but so do collapse interpretations when the wave function collapses everywhere all at the same time. No matter what interpretation you use, "ordinary" quantum mechanics, the stuff you study in the first year or so of college QM, is non-relativistic and doesn't even pretend to be Lorentz invariant. You won't find a proper relativistic version of QM until you step up to quantum field theory.

If this is so.. why do we keep discussing about non-relativistic version of Copenhagen or many worlds and whether there is collapse.. why didn't the community go directly to quantum field theory and the many worlds and Copenhagen version of QFT?
 
  • #4
oquen said:
why didn't the community go directly to quantum field theory?
For the same reasons that we still study and use Newtonian mechanics instead of going directly to relativistic mechanics:
1) There is no "go directly"; you can't learn the relativistic theory until you understand and can use the simpler non-relativistic theory.
2) There are many important problems in which the relativistic effects are negligible. Using the relativistic theory for these adds enormous amounts of mathematical complexity and obscures the underlying physics without producing better answers or additional insight into the underlying physics.
 
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  • #5
Nickyv2423 said:
Doesn't the Many Worlds Interpretation violate Lorentz symmetry when the universe splits?
Splitting is a result of continuous unitary evolution, so splitting as such does not necessarily violate Lorentz symmetry unless unitary evolution also violates it.
 
  • #6
Nugatory said:
You won't find a proper relativistic version of QM until you step up to quantum field theory.
Why do you say that? The Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations do not require field theory. Neither does S-matrix theory. Or Wigner's prescription for a Lorentz transformation. I understand that there are plenty of good reasons for quantum field theory, but I don't see how Lorentz invariance requires it.
 
  • #7
The Dirac and KG equations don't require QFT, true, BUT (and this is a big BUT) interpreting the wave function in these equations in terms of Copenhagen interpretation (and its Born rule) of non specially relativistic quantum mechanics is wrong (leads to the possibility of negative probabilities). One needs therefore an interpretation of specially relativistic quantum mechanics. The currently accepted one is actually a reformulation in terms of quantum fields and their regrettable mathematical problems.
 
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  • #8
Hmm, Dirac leads to negative energy solutions and KG to negative probabilities with positive energies. Don't both lead to antiparticles?
 

FAQ: Doesn't MWI violate Lorentz Invariance?

1. What is MWI and how does it relate to Lorentz Invariance?

MWI stands for Many-Worlds Interpretation, which is a theory in quantum mechanics that suggests the existence of multiple parallel universes. This theory has raised concerns about its compatibility with the principle of Lorentz Invariance, which states that the laws of physics should remain the same for all observers regardless of their relative motion.

2. How does MWI potentially violate Lorentz Invariance?

Some critics argue that the existence of multiple parallel universes in MWI would require a preferred reference frame, which goes against the principle of Lorentz Invariance. This is because the presence of a preferred reference frame would imply that the laws of physics are not the same for all observers.

3. Are there any proposed solutions to this conflict?

Yes, there are a few proposed solutions to this conflict. One is the "Many-Minds Interpretation," which suggests that the multiple universes in MWI are not physical but rather represent different states of consciousness. Another solution is the "Many-Histories Interpretation," which suggests that the multiple universes in MWI are not parallel but rather branching off from each other due to quantum interactions.

4. Is there any evidence to support or refute the violation of Lorentz Invariance in MWI?

Currently, there is no empirical evidence to support or refute the violation of Lorentz Invariance in MWI. The theory remains a subject of debate and further research.

5. What are the implications if MWI does indeed violate Lorentz Invariance?

If MWI is found to violate Lorentz Invariance, it would challenge our understanding of the fundamental principles of physics. It could also have implications for other theories, such as general relativity, that are based on Lorentz Invariance. However, until there is concrete evidence, the impact of this potential violation remains speculative.

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