English

Generalized Kochen-Specker Theorem

Quantum Physics 2009-10-28 v1

Abstract

A generalized Kochen-Specker theorem is proved. It is shown that there exist sets of nn projection operators, representing nn yes-no questions about a quantum system, such that none of the 2n2^n possible answers is compatible with sum rules imposed by quantum mechanics. Namely, if a subset of commuting projection operators sums up to a matrix having only even or only odd eigenvalues, the number of ``yes'' answers ought to be even or odd, respectively. This requirement may lead to contradictions. An example is provided, involving nine projection operators in a 4-dimensional space.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.quant-ph/9510018,
  title  = {Generalized Kochen-Specker Theorem},
  author = {Asher Peres},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/9510018},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

7 pages, LaTeX, to appear in Foundations of Physics (1996)