Unifying framework for relaxations of the causal assumptions in Bell's theorem

Area of Science:

• Quantum mechanics
• Causality
• Foundations of physics

Background:

• Bell's theorem reveals quantum correlations violate classical explanatory constraints.
• Understanding the necessary relaxation of causal assumptions for classical descriptions is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a framework for quantifying the relaxation of causal assumptions in quantum experiments.
• To assess the degree to which classical explanations can account for quantum phenomena.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Bayesian networks to model alternative causal structures.
• Employing quantitative measures from mathematical causality theory.
• Formulating problems as computationally tractable linear programs.

Main Results:

• A versatile framework for analyzing causal assumptions in quantum mechanics.
• Quantification of relaxation needed for locality, measurement independence, and bilocality.
• A novel causal interpretation of Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality violations.

Conclusions:

• The developed framework provides a rigorous method for bridging quantum correlations and classical causality.
• This approach offers new insights into the fundamental nature of quantum reality and its classical analogues.