Hidden Variables and the Large-Scale Structure of Spacetime
Abstract
We discuss how to embed quantum nonlocality in an approximately classical spacetime background, a question which must be answered irrespective of any underlying microscopic theory of spacetime. We argue that, in deterministic hidden-variables theories, the choice of spacetime kinematics should be dictated by the properties of generic non-equilibrium states, which allow nonlocal signalling. Such signalling provides an operational definition of absolute simultaneity, which may naturally be associated with a preferred foliation of classical spacetime. The argument applies to any deterministic hidden-variables theory, and to both flat and curved spacetime backgrounds. We include some critical discussion of Einstein's 1905 'operational' approach to relativity, and compare it with that of Poincare.
Cite
@article{arxiv.quant-ph/0504011,
title = {Hidden Variables and the Large-Scale Structure of Spacetime},
author = {Antony Valentini},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/0504011},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
30 pages. Minor changes. To be published in: "Absolute Simultaneity", eds. W. L. Craig and Q. Smith (Routledge, London, 2005)