Contextuality, Coherences, and Quantum Cheshire Cats
Quantum Physics
2024-02-16 v2 History and Philosophy of Physics
Abstract
We analyse the quantum Cheshire cat using contextuality theory, to see if this can tell us anything about how best to interpret this paradox. We show that this scenario can be analysed using the relation between three different measurements, which seem to result in a logical contradiction. We discuss how this contextual behaviour links to weak values, and coherences between prohibited states. Rather than showing a property of the particle is disembodied, the quantum Cheshire cat instead demonstrates the effects of these coherences, which are typically found in pre- and postselected systems.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2307.06583,
title = {Contextuality, Coherences, and Quantum Cheshire Cats},
author = {Jonte R. Hance and Ming Ji and Holger F. Hofmann},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2307.06583},
year = {2024}
}
Comments
11 pages, 3 figures. Accepted in New J. Phys., matches accepted version