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A Relational Formulation of Quantum Mechanics
1Qualcomm, 5775 Morehouse Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA. jianhao.yang@alumni.utoronto.ca.
Scientific Reports
|September 8, 2018
Summary
This study reformulates quantum mechanics using relational properties, not independent ones. It introduces relational probability amplitudes to calculate measurement outcomes, offering a new quantum mechanics framework.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Physics
- Foundations of Quantum Mechanics
Background:
- Traditional quantum mechanics focuses on independent system properties.
- Measurement is often viewed as a one-way process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reformulate non-relativistic quantum mechanics.
- To establish relational properties as fundamental.
- To develop a new framework for calculating quantum measurement probabilities.
Main Methods:
- Introducing relational probability amplitudes as the core variable.
- Calculating probabilities via summation of weights from alternative measurement configurations.
- Utilizing Feynman Path Integral for calculating relational probability amplitudes.
Main Results:
- Quantum properties like superposition and entanglement arise from counting alternatives.
- Wave function and reduced density matrix are derived as secondary tools.
- Schrödinger Equation is recovered under specific conditions (no entanglement).
Conclusions:
- Quantum mechanics can be fundamentally described in terms of relational properties.
- This approach offers a new perspective on quantum system descriptions.
- Measurement is fundamentally a bidirectional interaction.
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