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Locality Implies Complex Numbers in Quantum Mechanics

Year: 2025

Type: preprint

Abstract: We show that the presented real-number quantum theories, compatible with the independent source assumption, require the inclusion of a nonlocal map. This means that if the independent source assumption holds, in these models, complex-number quantum theory is equivalent to a real-number quantum theory with hidden nonlocal degrees of freedom. Our results suggest that complex numbers may be indispensable for describing the process involving entanglement between two independent systems.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2504.07808

Authors: Feng, Tianfeng, Ren, Changliang, Vedral, Vlatko

Institutions: University of Hong Kong, Ministry of Education, University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Mechanics and Applications

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: John Templeton Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Sun Yat-sen University

Awards: G2709870123, The Quantum Information Structure of Spacetime (QISS), Second Phase, G7771077223, G8543466732, G877587009

OpenAlex ID: W6910494432

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