Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The POVM theorem is a central result in Bohmian mechanics, grounding the measurement formalism of standard quantum mechanics in a statistical analysis based on the quantum equilibrium hypothesis (the Born rule for Bohmian particle positions). It states that the outcome statistics of an experiment are described by a positive operator-valued measure (POVM) acting on the Hilbert space of the measured system. In light of recent debates about the scope and status of this result, we provide a systematic presentation of the POVM theorem and its underlying assumptions with a focus on their conceptual foundations and physical justifications. We conclude with a brief discussion of the scope of the POVM theorem-especially the sense in which it does (and does not) place limits on what is "measurable" in Bohmian mechanics.
Source: Entropy
DOI: 10.3390/e27040391
Authors: Christian Beck, Dustin Lazarovici
Institution: Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Funder: Israel Science Foundation
Award: G5744822074
OpenAlex ID: W4409217303