Abstract
Globally-constrained classical fields provide a unexplored framework for modeling quantum phenomena, including apparent particle-like behavior. By allowing controllable constraints on unknown past fields, these models are retrocausal but not retro-signaling, respecting the conventional block universe viewpoint of classical spacetime. Several example models are developed that resolve the most essential problems with using classical electromagnetic fields to explain single-photon phenomena. These models share some similarities with Stochastic Electrodynamics, but without the infinite background energy problem, and with a clear path to explaining entanglement phenomena. Intriguingly, the average intermediate field intensities share a surprising connection with quantum “weak values”, even in the single-photon limit. This new class of models is hoped to guide further research into spacetime-based accounts of weak values, entanglement, and other quantum phenomena.
Highlights
Retrocausal models of quantum phenomena offer the enticing possibility of replacing the high-dimensional configuration space of quantum mechanics with ordinary spacetime, without breaking Lorentz covariance or utilizing action-at-a-distance [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Any quantum model based entirely on spacetime-localized parameters would obviously be much easier to reconcile with general relativity, not to mention macroscopic classical observations. (In general, block-universe retrocausal models can violate Bell-type inequalities because they contain hidden variables λ that are constrained by the future measurement settings (a, b)
One intriguing development, outlined in detail below, is an account of the average “weak values” [14,15] measured in actual experiments, naturally emerging from the analysis of the intermediate field values. Another point of interest is that the framework here bears similarities to Stochastic Electrodynamics (SED), but without some of the conceptual difficulties encountered by that program [16,17]
Summary
Retrocausal models of quantum phenomena offer the enticing possibility of replacing the high-dimensional configuration space of quantum mechanics with ordinary spacetime, without breaking Lorentz covariance or utilizing action-at-a-distance [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The classical Dirac field, for example, is a Dirac-spinor-valued function of ordinary spacetime, and is arguably a far closer analog to the electrons of quantum theory than a classical charged particle. One intriguing development, outlined in detail below, is an account of the average “weak values” [14,15] measured in actual experiments, naturally emerging from the analysis of the intermediate field values Another point of interest is that the framework here bears similarities to Stochastic Electrodynamics (SED), but without some of the conceptual difficulties encountered by that program (i.e., infinite background energy, and a lack of a response to Bell’s theorem) [16,17]. These averages are shown to essentially match the weak-value measurements. The results are used to motivate an improved model, as discussed in Section 5, followed by preliminary conclusions and future research directions
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