Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: We address the question of whether the quantum-mechanical wave function Ψ of a system is uniquely determined by any complete description Λ of the system's physical state. We show that this is the case if the latter satisfies a notion of 'free choice'. This notion requires that certain experimental parameters—those that according to quantum theory can be chosen independently of other variables—retain this property in the presence of Λ. An implication of this result is that, among all possible descriptions Λ of a system's state compatible with free choice, the wave function is as objective as Λ.
Source: New Journal of Physics
Authors: Roger Colbeck, Renato Renner
Institutions: University of York, ETH Zurich, Institute for Theoretical Physics
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,610
OpenAlex ID: W2170909567