Quantum from Principles (original) (raw)
Related papers
Quantum Theory is an Information Theory
Foundations of Physics, 2015
We derive quantum theory from purely informational principles. Five elementary axioms-causality, perfect distinguishability, ideal compression, local distinguishability, and pure conditioning-define a broad class of theories of information processing that can be regarded as standard. One postulate-purification-singles out quantum theory within this class.
A Foundational Principle for Quantum Mechanics
Synthese Library
In contrast to the theories of relativity, quantum mechanics is not yet based on a generally accepted conceptual foundation. It is proposed here that the missing principle may be identified through the observation that all knowledge in physics has to be expressed in propositions and that therefore the most elementary system represents the truth value of one proposition, i.e., it carries just one bit of information. Therefore an elementary system can only give a definite result in one specific measurement. The irreducible randomness in other measurements is then a necessary consequence. For composite systems entanglement results if all possible information is exhausted in specifying joint properties of the constituents.
Quantum-Informational Principles for Physics
The Frontiers Collection, 2015
It is time to to take a pause of reflection on the general foundations of physics, reexamining the solidity of the most basic principles, as the relativity and the equivalence principles that are currently under dispute for violations at the Planck scale. A constructive criticism engages us in seeking new general principles, which reduce to the old ones as approximations holding in the physical domain already explored. At the very basis of physics are epistemological and operational rules for the same formulability of the physical law and for the computability of its theoretical predictions, rules that give rise to new solid principles. These rules lead us to a quantum-information theoretic formulation, hinging on a logical identification of the experimental protocol with the quantum algorithm.
Quantum Theory, namely the pure and reversible theory of information
2012
After more than a century since its birth, Quantum Theory still eludes our understanding. If asked to describe it, we have to resort to abstract and ad hoc principles about complex Hilbert spaces. How is it possible that a fundamental physical theory cannot be described using the ordinary language of Physics? Here we offer a contribution to the problem from the angle of Quantum Information, providing a short non-technical presentation of a recent derivation of Quantum Theory from information-theoretic principles. The broad picture emerging from the principles is that Quantum Theory is the only standard theory of information compatible with the purity and reversibility of physical processes.
American Journal of Physics, 1979
We reformulate the problem of the "interpretation of quantum mechanics" as the problem of DERIVING the quantum mechanical formalism from a set of simple physical postulates. We suggest that the common unease with taking quantum mechanics as a fundamental description of nature could derive from the use of an incorrect notion, as the unease with the Lorentz transformations before Einstein derived from the notion of observer independent time. Following an an analysis of the measurement process as seen by different observers, we propose a reformulation of quantum mechanics in terms of INFORMATION THEORY. We propose three different postulates out of which the formalism of the theory can be reconstructed; these are based on the notion of information about each other that systems contain. All systems are assumed to be equivalent: no observer-observed distinction, and information is interpreted as correlation. We then suggest that the incorrect notion that generates the unease with quantum mechanichs is the notion of OBSERVER INDEPENDENT state of a system.
Statement of the principles of quantum mechanics in the course of general physics
Russian Physics Journal, 2011
Interpretation of quantum physics and its principles is a problem that has yet to be solved to the end in spite of the fact that quantum physics formulated more than 80 years ago successfully explains the microcosm phenomena. Today there are several competing interpretations, including the Copenhagen interpretation in different forms, the Everett many-worlds interpretation, the Gell-Mann and Hartle many-histories interpretation, and the nonlocal hidden variables theory. From the above-listed interpretations, the most advanced quantum theory that does not require changes of the mathematical apparatus is the Copenhagen interpretation. All other interpretations (with possible exception of the many-worlds interpretation) call for changes in the quantum theory formalism.
A new approach toward the quantum foundation and some consequences
Academia Quantum, 2024
A general theory based on six postulates is introduced. The basic notions are theoretical variables that are associated with an observer or with a group of communicating observers. These variables may be accessible or inaccessible. From these postulates, the ordinary formalism of quantum theory is derived. The mathematical derivations are not given in this article, but I refer to the recent articles. Three possible applications of the general theory can be given as follows: (1) the variables may be decision variables connected to the decisions of a person or a group of persons, (2) the variables may be statistical parameters or future data, and (3) most importantly, the variables are physical variables in some context. The last application gives a completely new foundation of quantum mechanics, a foundation which in my opinion is much easier to understand than ordinary formalism. So-called paradoxes like that of Schrödinger’s cat can be clarified under the theory. Explanations of the outcomes of David Bohm’s version of the EPR (Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen) experiment and the Bell experiment are provided. Finally, references to links toward relativity theory and quantum field theory are given. The concluding remarks point to further possible developments.
Quantum Theory from First Principles
2016
Quantum theory is the soul of theoretical physics. It is not just a theory of specific physical systems, but rather a new framework with universal applicability. This book shows how we can reconstruct the theory from six information-theoretical principles, by rebuilding the quantum rules from the bottom up. Step by step, the reader will learn how to master the counterintuitive aspects of the quantum world, and how to efficiently reconstruct quantum information protocols from first principles. Using intuitive graphical notation to represent equations, and with shorter and more efficient derivations, the theory can be understood and assimilated with exceptional ease. Offering a radically new perspective on the field, the book contains an efficient course of quantum theory and quantum information for undergraduates. The book is aimed at researchers, professionals, and students in physics, computer science, and philosophy, as well as the curious outsider seeking a deeper understanding of the theory.
On the missing axiom of Quantum Mechanics
2005
The debate on the nature of quantum probabilities in relation to Quantum Non Locality has elevated Quantum Mechanics to the level of an Operational Epistemic Theory. In such context the quantum superposition principle has an extraneous non epistemic nature. This leads us to seek purely operational foundations for Quantum Mechanics, from which to derive the current mathematical axiomatization based on Hilbert spaces.
An alternative foundation of quantum theory
arXiv (Cornell University), 2023
A new approach to quantum theory is proposed in this paper. The basis is taken to be theoretical variables, variables that may be accessible or inaccessible, i.e., it may be possible or impossible for an observer to assign arbitrarily sharp numerical values to them. In an epistemic process, the accessible variables are just ideal observations connected to an observer or to some communicating observers. Group actions are defined on these variables, and group representation theory is the basis for developing the Hilbert space formalism here. Operators corresponding to accessible theoretical variables are derived, and in the discrete case, it is proved that the possible physical values are the eigenvalues of these operators. The focus of the paper is some mathematical theorems paving the ground for the proposed foundation of quantum theory. It is indicated here that the groups and transformations needed in this approach can be constructed explicitly in the case where the accessible variables are finite-dimensional. In case, this simplifies the theory considerably: To reproduce the Hilbert space formulation, it is enough to assume the existence of two complementary variables. The essential use of inaccessible variables can be avoided by basing the approach on some simple category theory.The interpretation inferred from the proposed foundation here may be called a general epistemic interpretation of quantum theory. A special case of this interpretation is QBism; it also has a relationship to several other interpretations.