Undergrad Is this a new theory, an enhanced theory or just philosophy?

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around a new thought experiment proposed by Daniela Frauchiger and Renato Renner, which challenges the consistency of quantum theory and its application beyond microscopic domains. Participants express confusion over the abstract nature of the paper, questioning the assumptions made about observers and measurements within quantum mechanics. The debate highlights the complexities of interpreting quantum states and the implications of the Many Worlds interpretation, particularly regarding the certainty of measurements made by observers. Concerns are raised about the philosophical implications of the paper, suggesting it may be more about theoretical exploration than concrete experimental setups. Overall, the conversation underscores the ongoing challenges in reconciling quantum theory with intuitive understandings of measurement and reality.
  • #31
But none of the above authors mention anywhere that ##f(t,x)## and ##g(t,x)## would represent two different kinds of particles...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
vanhees71 said:
It's utter nonsense to begin with. There's no "photon wave function" to begin with, because there's no position representation for photon states, because there's no photon position operator definable.
ftr said:
I am no expert in the field but many papers like following seem to be genuine physics.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003491616300173
Auto-Didact said:
Bialynicki-Birula is definitely a serious theoretician who has a long record of multiple insightful works; I have read some of his work in the past. If one is willing to disparage his work as 'nonsense' then I believe practically no theorist is safe from criticism.
The confusion is explained by the fact that the term ''wave function'' is ambiguous.

If the term is reserved for the position representation with Born's probability interpretation then vanhees71 is right. But there is a wave function in the momentum representation with a proper probability interpretation, and Bialynicki-Birula discusses its Fourier transform, which also deserves the name ''wave function''. Though it doesn't have a probability interpretation it completely describes the state.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes mattt and Auto-Didact

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
10
Views
6K