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 projection operators, representing yes-no questions about a quantum system, such that none of the 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.
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)