The discussion centers on the potential use of quantum entanglement to synchronize two clocks, each containing an entangled particle. Participants explore the implications of measuring these particles and the feasibility of using their states to set the clocks to zero time simultaneously.
Participants express disagreement regarding the feasibility of using quantum entanglement for clock synchronization, with some asserting it is impossible while others reference recent research suggesting it may be possible under different mechanisms.
Participants note limitations in understanding quantum entanglement and the implications of measurement, indicating that assumptions about instantaneous observation and state collapse may not hold true.
No, that would require faster than light signaling. This is not possible.James Hasty said:TL;DR Summary: Can Quantum Entanglement be used as a means to Synchronize Clocks?
Given two quantum entangled particles A and B, let each be located inside one of two identical clocks. Let each clock be set to zero time the instant either particle A or B is measured or changes state. Could this mechanism be utilized to synchronize the clocks?
The mechanism described there is not what you propose in your original post.James Hasty said:Evidently this has been proven possible. See the following article:
Tang, BY., Tian, M., Chen, H. et al. Demonstration of 75 km-fiber quantum clock synchronization in quantum entanglement distribution network. EPJ Quantum Technol. 10, 50 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-023-00207-9
I guess your idea is to measure A and simultaneously B "changes state", which is instantly observed by clock B.James Hasty said:TL;DR Summary: Can Quantum Entanglement be used as a means to Synchronize Clocks?
Given two quantum entangled particles A and B, let each be located inside one of two identical clocks. Let each clock be set to zero time the instant either particle A or B is measured or changes state. Could this mechanism be utilized to synchronize the clocks?
No. There is no way of distinguishing a so-called collapsed state from an uncollapsed state (the “so-called” is there because even trying to make that distinction betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the theory). All we know is the time that we made our measurement, and with our result we can predict the result at the other end when and if that measurement is made (and for all we know, it has been already made).James Hasty said:Given two quantum entangled particles A and B, let each be located inside one of two identical clocks. Let each clock be set to zero time the instant either particle A or B is measured or changes state. Could this mechanism be utilized to synchronize the clocks?