Stories in the two-state vector formalism
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The two-state vector formalism of quantum mechanics is a time-symmetrized approach to standard quantum theory. In our work, we aim to establish rigorous foundations for the future investigation within this formalism. We introduce the concept of a story—a compatible pair consisting of a two-state vector and an ideal measurement. Using this concept, we examine the structure of the space comprising all two-state vectors. We analyze the problem of distinguishability and confirm that some pairs of two-state vectors or their statistical mixtures cannot be physically distinguished. In particular, we discuss an example of a two-state vector that is indistinguishable from a statistical mixture of separable two-state vectors and provide an example of a two-state vector that can be distinguished from every such mixture. This leads us to formulate the definition of a strictly non-separable two-state vector as a genuine manifestation of entanglement between the past and the future.
Authors: Patryk Michalski, Andrzej Dragan
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,880
OpenAlex ID: W4414460879