Graduate How does the thermal interpretation explain Stern-Gerlach?

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The discussion centers on how the thermal interpretation of quantum mechanics explains the results of the Stern-Gerlach experiment, particularly when a beam of electrons with spin-z up is passed through a device oriented in the x direction. The thermal interpretation suggests that the observed splitting of the beam into two distinct paths corresponds to an uncertain measurement of the q-expectation of the spin-x operator, which is calculated to be zero. However, this interpretation raises questions, as it implies a normal distribution around zero, contradicting the experimental outcome of two distinct beams. The conversation also touches on the treatment of measurement devices in quantum mechanics, emphasizing that they should be viewed as quantum entities rather than classical ones. Ultimately, the thermal interpretation posits a deterministic framework that accounts for the observed phenomena, although its specifics remain a point of contention among participants.
  • #91
A. Neumaier said:
##H## is a sum of integrals over multilocal operators
Can you better explain what do you mean by that? (Pinpoiting to the right part of your paper would be OK.)
 
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  • #92
Demystifier said:
Can you better explain what do you mean by that? (Pinpointing to the right part of your paper would be OK.)
In my paper I didn't discuss the detailed form of the Hamiltonian of the universe. It depends on stuff yet to be discovered about how to represent quantum gravity. But the general form of the Hamiltonian is already visible from simpler quantum field theories such as QED, where it is derived as usual from the action, and later modified through renormalization.

Already a free Hamiltonian contains a term with a spatial integral over quadratic expressions, and interactions plus renormalization at all orders add terms of all higher degrees, which become multilocal when inserted into the Ehrenfest dynamics. (Search for Hamiltonian in this Wikipedia article to find the explicit unrenormalized expression for scalar field theory; the integration variable runs over points distinct from the ##x## in the Ehrenfest equation.)
 
  • #93
Hi all,

sorry if I post in a relatively old thread.

charters said:
Ok this I can agree is a workable and well understood solution to Bell's theorem. Basically, instead of saying a "pilot wave" is steering the deterministic time evolution of the local pointer variables, the TI says it is "multilocal variables" doing so.

Personally, I do not understand how can one avoid a 'non-locality' of the kind of the pilot-wave theory if multi-local properties dependent on more than one space-like separated space-time regions are accepted. Are there any references on this?
Also, is the thermal interpretation the only one that uses this possible solution to Bell's theorem?
 
  • #94
indefinite_123 said:
I do not understand how can one avoid a 'non-locality' of the kind of the pilot-wave theory if multi-local properties dependent on more than one space-like separated space-time regions are accepted. Are there any references on this?
I discuss nonlocality in Part II of my preprints, Section 4.5, mentioned in post #1 of the main thread on the TI (linked to in post #2 of the present thread) .

For a more polished account of bilocal quantities and nonlocality see my recent book also mentioned there.
 
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  • #95
A. Neumaier said:
I discuss nonlocality in Part II of my preprints, Section 4.5, mentioned in post #1 of the main thread on the TI (linked to in post #2 of the present thread) .

For a more polished account of bilocal quantities and nonlocality see my recent book also mentioned there.
Thank you very much!
 

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