Abstract
Work on quantum entanglement is currently emphasizing the nonlocal nature of theories that attempt to explain spatially separated Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) correlation experiments. It is frequently claimed that nonlocal instantaneous influences, or equivalently a breakdown of Einstein’s separation principle, are a signature property of (quantum) entanglement. This paper presents a categorization of the various forms of nonlocality in physical theories. It is shown that, even for Einstein’s theory of relativity, correlations of spatially separated measurements cannot be explained without the involvement of some nonlocal or global knowledge and facts. Instantaneous Influences at a distance are, however, in a special category of nonlocality and, as is well known, Einstein called them spooky. Following a separation of nonlocalities into four distinctly different categories 0, 1, 2, 3, with number 3 corresponding to theories containing instantaneous influences at a distance, I show that any theory of EPR experiments must be at least in category 1 or 2 and does not need to be in category 3. In particular, the Bell theorem, valid for category 0 theories, may be violated for categories 1 and 2 and does not require category 3 theories. Category 0 enforces Bell’s theorem. However, it does not apply to relativistic theories of space like separated measurements.
Highlights
This paper presents a categorization of the various forms of nonlocality in physical theories
Following a separation of nonlocalities into four distinctly different categories 0, 1, 2, 3, with number 3 corresponding to theories containing instantaneous influences at a distance, I show that any theory of EPR experiments must be at least in category 1 or 2 and does not need to be in category 3
Bell stated himself the following about the meaning of his Theorem: “But if [a hidden variable theory] is local it will not agree with quantum mechanics, and if it agrees with quantum mechanics it will not be local
Summary
The EPR Gedanken-experiments [1] were originally designed to show that quantum mechanics is either involving velocities higher than the speed of light in va-. As a consequence of Bell’s denial of the existence of hidden variables, the EPR logic leads necessarily to some violations of the limiting nature of the speed of light This fact was only reluctantly accepted even by Bell himself, but is accepted by a significant majority of the physics community who believes that entanglement does just that. A stalemate usually occurs at this point of discussions, because most of Bell’s followers claim that the word “quantum nonlocality” is of a nature unknown to our macroscopic world and we can, not find any valid analogies about it It is the purpose of this paper to show that “nonlocalities” in physical theories (including Bell’s) may be subdivided into 4 categories. This means that the Bell theorem is not sufficient to guarantee membership of any EPR theory in category 3
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