What are the implications of this experiment?

Thread starter StevieTNZ
Start date Jun 3, 2011
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Experiment

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Researchers have conducted an experiment using weak measurements to observe single photons in a double-slit interferometer, challenging traditional interpretations of quantum mechanics. This study suggests that while individual photon trajectories cannot be definitively identified, averaged results indicate that photons may take specific paths. The findings do not disprove the many-worlds interpretation but rather reinforce standard quantum mechanics principles. The implications of this work center more on the nature of weak measurements than on the behavior of photons themselves. Overall, the experiment contributes to ongoing discussions about quantum mechanics without overturning established theories.

Jul 26, 2012

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unusualname said:

I mean that all QM models would predict the trajectories if the correct calculations are carried out (maybe the Bohm calculation is more efficient, but doesn't mean zilch regarding Nature)
and so BM adherents need something much more convincing, like a (anti) Bell type argument to show determinism is possible. ie construct an experiment where pre-existing properties can be proved to have existed.

If you are pointing out that these weakly measured trajectories do not prove that Bohmian interpretation is correct, then I agree.

unusualname said:

And of course you have the HUGE problem of explaining the Standard Model from BM, which will be difficult since BM doesn't even have concept of quantum spin degree of freedom.

There is no such problem for BM. First, BM contains wave functions which DO have spin degrees of freedom. Second, when spin is measured, e.g., by Stern-Gerlach apparatus, then what is really measured is not spin as such, but a position of a particle.

For more details see also
http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/1205.1992 (a chapter in a published book)