How Does a Photon Pass Through a Filter Without Hidden Variables?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the minimal statistical interpretation (Ensemble interpretation) of quantum mechanics, questioning how photons pass through filters without pre-programmed properties or hidden variables. It concludes that this interpretation merely predicts probabilities without providing definitive answers. Alternative interpretations, such as Many Worlds (MW) and Bohmian Mechanics (BM), are explored, revealing that they also struggle with the concept of hidden variables. The GHZ theorem is highlighted as evidence that individual photons cannot possess pre-programmed properties, reinforcing the limitations of ensemble interpretations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with the minimal statistical interpretation (Ensemble interpretation)
  • Knowledge of the GHZ theorem and its implications
  • Awareness of alternative interpretations like Many Worlds (MW) and Bohmian Mechanics (BM)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of the GHZ theorem on quantum mechanics
  • Explore the Many Worlds interpretation and its stance on hidden variables
  • Study Bohmian Mechanics and its approach to non-local hidden variables
  • Investigate the operationalist interpretation of quantum mechanics as proposed by Peres and Kemble
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and researchers exploring interpretations of quantum theory will benefit from this discussion.

  • #31
DrChinese said:
they all CLAIM to give the same predictions
It's not just a matter of "claiming". All QM interpretations are interpretations of the same math (or equivalent math). Same math = same predictions.

Some models in the literature, such as the GRW stochastic collapse model, are not QM interpretations, although they might sometimes be informally thought of as such: they are different theories from QM, because they use different math (for example, GRW's stochastic collapse is different math), and thus make different predictions. Those models are in principle distinguishable from standard QM by experiment. But those aren't what is referred to in the forum guidelines by the term "QM interpretation".
 
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  • #33
DrChinese said:
I was referring to iste's comment, and generalizing it to anyone who might claim to adhere to the interpretation we are discussing in this thread and its close variants. You mentioned the ensemble interpretation in post #22. Yes, I would assert that ensemble interpretations are ruled out by GHZ.
This is very strong! How is it ruled out by GHZ? All interpretations say the same thing about the GHZ state and measurements on it. It is just core QM, the interpretations don't really play a role here.
 
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  • #34
DrChinese said:
I would assert that ensemble interpretations are ruled out by GHZ.
We already had this discussion earlier in the thread. See in particular my post #24.
 
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  • #35
martinbn said:
All interpretations say the same thing about the GHZ state and measurements on it. It is just core QM, the interpretations don't really play a role here.
Yes, this is what I pointed out at the end of my post #24.
 
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