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Why Bohmian Mechanics? One- and Two-Time Position Measurements, Bell Inequalities, Philosophy, and Physics
1Group of Applied Physics, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 3, 2020
Summary
Bohmian mechanics explains Bell inequality violations via macroscopic pointers, reconciling continuous particle trajectories with quantum weirdness at the macro-scale. This challenges its limited adoption among physicists.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Mechanics
- Foundations of Physics
- Quantum Measurement Theory
Background:
- Bohmian mechanics posits continuous particle trajectories, allowing well-defined two-time position correlations.
- A key challenge is Bohmian mechanics' prediction of Bell inequality violations, seemingly contradicting its deterministic nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate position measurements in Bohmian mechanics and explain the violation of Bell inequalities.
- To explore the implications of Bohmian mechanics for macroscopic quantum phenomena.
- To address the disparity in Bohmian mechanics' reception among philosophers versus physicists.
Main Methods:
- Coupling quantum particles to macroscopic pointers within the Bohmian mechanics framework.
- Analyzing the role of 'surrealistic trajectories' in relation to pointer dynamics.
- Examining the implications of Bohmian mechanics' lack of distinction between micro and macro systems.
Main Results:
- The coupling to macroscopic pointers explains the violation of Bell inequalities, even with defined two-time position correlations.
- Slowly moving pointers in the model correspond to 'surrealistic trajectories'.
- Bohmian mechanics implies quantum phenomena manifest at the macroscopic scale.
Conclusions:
- Bohmian mechanics provides a consistent framework for understanding Bell inequality violations through measurement interactions.
- The theory suggests quantum weirdness is not confined to the microscopic realm.
- The Bohmian community's approach may hinder broader acceptance within the physics community.
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