Questions tagged [measurement-problem]
DO NOT USE THIS TAG just because your question involves measurements (either quantum or classical). The measurement problem asks how wave function collapse occurs during measurement in quantum mechanics, and how it can be reconciled with unitary evolution.
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On the wave function collapse
I'm particularly concerned with the conceptual consequences of this postulate, which I never quite pondered enough.
In quantum mechanics, wave function collapse, also called reduction of the state ...
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Has quantum measurement and particle appearance ever been modelled as a resonance effect created by the measuring device on the quantum wave?
Has anyone ever modelled quantum measurement as a resonance effect, that is created by introducing a measuring device into the quantum system?
An analogy may explain what I mean: if you take the free ...
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How does wave function collapse relate to uncertainty in position when measurement intervals approach zero? [closed]
In quantum mechanics, measuring the position of a particle causes the wave function to collapse, fixing the particle at a measured position. Given this collapse, how can it be claimed that as the ...
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Can the measurement problem be overcome? [closed]
I was listening to some physicists discuss the issues with measurement in quantum mechanics and some of the earlier philosophical repercussions. However in most cases where measurement affects a ...
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Is there a resolution to the "Wigner's Friend" paradox?
Suppose that two observers $A$ and $B$ are mutually isolated, observer $A$ measures the state $|0\rangle + |1\rangle$ and concludes that the result is $|0\rangle$.
However, observer $B$ concludes that ...
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What happens if two people have different knowledge about a state in a quantum mechanical system?
Let’s say I measure the spin of an electron, but I don’t tell you what it is and you don’t measure it yourself. Does that change the wave function for you or does it remain the same either way? If it ...
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Does a Quantum System Really "Jump" to an Eigenstate When Observed?
Warning: This is a highly hypothetical question.
I am bothered with Dirac's description of the system when making a measurement. Without quoting his statement (from The Principles of Quantum Mechanics,...
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On the Measurement Problem
In the orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics, the following three assumptions are made (please correct me if I am wrong):
Every physical system is completely specified by a state $\lvert\psi\...
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Is the collapse of the wavefunction relativistic?
If a stationary observer, 'A', observes the collapse of a wavefunction, does an observer, 'B', traveling at relativistic speed observe a different collapse of the same wavefunction?
What do all the ...
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Position operator action on a wavefunction [closed]
In a 1 dimensional infinite potential well with width $a$, the ground state wave-function is given by
$$\psi(x) = \sqrt{\frac{2}{a}}\sin(\frac{\pi}{a}x)$$
The action of the position operator in the ...
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Exact time evolution of Stern-Gerlach (SG) apparatus
Background: I was always under the impression that when considering the Stern-Gerlach (SG) Experiment, the interpretation of the split of the beams is that the spin $1/2$ particle get measured the ...
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Doubts on my interpretation of Wigner’s friend scenario
I have some doubts regarding my personal interpretation that i was contemplating about in the context of Wigner's friend experiment (also tested in the laboratory).Could it be that a system is always ...
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Understanding Wigner’s friend scenario
I recently watched this video https://youtu.be/Wsjgtp9XZxo?si=sIRlAbvAm2wjXRNP
and tried (unsuccessfully, because i don’t have the knowledge required) to read Bruckner’s paper.
What i am missing, is ...
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Ontologically speaking, does single-shot quantum interference occur in pairs of possibilities?
I've been perplexed by the semantics used in Science 329, 418-421(2010), where they state that according to
Born’s rule and its square exponent, interference always occurs in pairs of possibilities.
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Andromeda paradox and quantum mechanics
Roger Penrose introduced the Andromeda Paradox as a thought experiment that delves into the implications of relativity and quantum mechanics on our understanding of simultaneity and reality. The ...
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