Are quantum mechanical transition probabilities classical? A critique of Cartwright's interpretation of quantum theory

Synthese ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vandana Shiva
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
Quantum Mechanical ◽  
Mechanical Transition ◽  
Interpretation Of Quantum Theory

Operators and meaning of wave function

2016 ◽  
pp. 4039-4042
Author(s):  
Viliam Malcher
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
State Vector ◽  
The State ◽  
Physical Significance ◽  
Central Problem ◽  
Quantum Mechanical ◽  
Mechanical Description ◽  
Quantum Mechanical Description ◽  
Interpretation Of Quantum Theory

The interpretation problems of quantum theory are considered. In the formalism of quantum theory the possible states of a system are described by a state vector. The state vector, which will be represented as |ψ> in Dirac notation, is the most general form of the quantum mechanical description. The central problem of the interpretation of quantum theory is to explain the physical significance of the |ψ>. In this paper we have shown that one of the best way to make of interpretation of wave function is to take the wave function as an operator.

scholarly journals Quantum Probability's Algebraic Origin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerd Niestegge
Keyword(s):  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
Transition Probability ◽  
Wave Functions ◽  
Quantum Mechanical ◽  
Statistical Interpretation ◽  
Quantum Probabilities ◽  
Mechanical Transition ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Different Origins ◽  
Quantum Indeterminacy

Max Born's statistical interpretation made probabilities play a major role in quantum theory. Here we show that these quantum probabilities and the classical probabilities have very different origins. While the lat- ter always result from an assumed probability measure, the first include transition probabilities with a purely algebraic origin. Moreover, the gen- eral definition of transition probability introduced here comprises not only the well-known quantum mechanical transition probabilities between pure states or wave functions, but further novel cases. A transition probability that differs from 0 and 1 manifests the typical quantum indeterminacy in a similar way as Heisenberg's and others' un- certainty relations and, furthermore, rules out deterministic states in the same way as the Bell-Kochen-Specker theorem. However, the transition probability defined here achieves a lot more beyond that: it demonstrates that the algebraic structure of the Hilbert space quantum logic dictates the precise values of certain probabilities and it provides an unexpected access to these quantum probabilities that does not rely on states or wave functions.

scholarly journals On individuality in quantum theory

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
Jasmina Jeknic-Dugic
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Structural Realism ◽  
Mechanical Analysis ◽  
Quantum Systems ◽  
Quantum Mechanical ◽  
Ontic Structural Realism

A quantum mechanical analysis of the decomposability of quantum systems into subsystems provides support for the so-called "attenuated Eliminative Ontic Structural Realism" within Categorical Structuralism studies in physics. Quantum subsystems are recognized as non-individual, relationally defined objects that deflate or relax some standard objections against Eliminative Ontic Structural Realism. Our considerations assume the universally valid quantum theory without tackling interpretational issues.

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