English

How Quantum Mechanics can consistently describe the use of itself

Quantum Physics 2018-11-14 v2 History and Philosophy of Physics

Abstract

We discuss the no-go theorem of Frauchiger and Renner based on an "extended Wigner's friend" thought experiment which is supposed to show that any single-world interpretation of quantum mechanics leads to inconsistent predictions if it is applicable on all scales. We show that no such inconsistency occurs if one considers a complete description of the physical situation. We then discuss implications of the thought experiment that have not been clearly addressed in the original paper, including a tension between relativity and nonlocal effects predicted by quantum mechanics. Our discussion applies in particular to Bohmian mechanics.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1809.08070,
  title  = {How Quantum Mechanics can consistently describe the use of itself},
  author = {Dustin Lazarovici and Mario Hubert},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1809.08070},
  year   = {2018}
}

Comments

Comment on Frauchiger, D. & Renner, R. Quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself. Nat. Commun. 9, 3711, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05739-8 (2018)