Quantum-Mechanical Description Of Physical Reality Research Articles

The problem of connection of observer’s mind with quantum-mechanical description of physical reality

Introduction: the study considers the problem of observer’s status during specific quantum-mechanical experiments, in which the empirical result directly depends on the participation of the experimenter's mind. Here the problem arises of the connection between the mind of the observer and the quantum-mechanical description of physical reality. The paper pays attention to modern trends in physics and philosophy devoted to the study of this phenomenon. Some aspects of the philosophical interpretation of the mind as a quantum mechanism are presented.Materials and Methods: the research materials demonstrate an overview of several common quantum-philosophical theories. Attempts have been made to search for the connection of quantum phenomena with the mechanisms of the functioning of human mind. The experimental background of quantum physics is demonstrated, providing material for analyzing the possibility of applying modern quantum theory to the question of identifying the relationship of the quantum approach and describing the problem of the influence of the observer’s mind on the result of a physical experiment.Results: the concept of quantum mechanics, taking into account the latest achievements and results of physics, philosophy and psychology, allows us to consider the mind of the observer as an integral part of the mechanism responsible for the formation of the surrounding physical reality. The anthropic principle of participation considered in the work gives the observer's mind a special role allowing to form a quantum-mechanical description of physical reality.Discussion and conclusions: it is shown that the mind of the observer plays an important role in quantum theory. Moreover, mind as a psychic phenomenon may be in fact identical with the quantum-mechanical concept of choosing an alternative. Given the fact that the brain's thought processes influence the measurement results, it can be assumed that mind changes quantum probabilities. This assumption allows us to take a different look at the concept of reality itself.

Kerr nonlinear coupler and entanglement induced by broadband laser light

We consider a model of Kerr-like nonlinear coupler linearly excited by a external classical field involving coherent part and white noise and solved a set of coupled stochastic integro-differential equations, deriving exactly analytical formulae for the probability amplitudes of n-photon Fock states. As a consequence, this nonlinear coupler deliberated behaves as a two-qubit system. The effects of dissipation on entanglement of formation parameterised by concurrence are also analyzed and compare these results with that obtained previously in the literature. As a interesting result, initially for a period of time the entanglement is enlarged when the chaotic parameter increases. Full Text: PDF References A. Einstein, B. Podolski, N. Rosen, "Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Complete?", Phys. Rev. 47, 777 (1935). CrossRef A. Miranowicz, W. Leoński, "Two-mode optical state truncation and generation of maximally entangled states in pumped nonlinear couplers", J. Phys. B 39, 1683 (2006). CrossRef T.D. Nguyen, W. Leoński, V. Cao Long, "Computer Simulation of Two-Mode Nonlinear Quantum Scissors", Comput. Method. Sci. Tech. 19, 175 (2013). CrossRef N. Korolkova, J. Peřina, "Quantum statistics and dynamics of Kerr nonlinear couplers", Opt. Commun. 136, 135 (1997). CrossRef A. Kowalewska-Kudłaszyk, W. Leoński, "Finite-dimensional states and entanglement generation for a nonlinear coupler", Phys. Rev. A 73, 042318 (2006). CrossRef A. Kowalewska-Kudłaszyk, W. Leoński, T.D. Nguyen, V. Cao Long, "Kicked nonlinear quantum scissors and entanglement generation", Phys. Scr. T 160, 014023 (2014). CrossRef K. Doan Quoc, V. Cao Long, W. Leoński, "Electromagnetically induced transparency for Λ-like systems with a structured continuum and broad-band coupling laser", Phys. Scr. T 147, 014008 (2012). CrossRef K. Doan Quoc, V. Cao Long, W. Leoński, "A broad-band laser-driven double Fano system—photoelectron spectra", Phys. Scr. 86, 045301 (2012). CrossRef K. Doan Quoc, V. Cao Long, L. Chu Van, P. Huynh Vinh, "Electromagnetically induced transparency for Λ-like systems with degenerate autoionizing levels and a broadband coupling laser", Optica Applicata 46, 93 (2016). CrossRef W. Leoński, A. Miranowicz, "Kerr nonlinear coupler and entanglement", J. Opt. B 6, S37 (2004). CrossRef K. Doan Quoc, V. Cao Long, to be Published. W. Leoński, "Finite-dimensional coherent-state generation and quantum-optical nonlinear oscillator models", Phys. Rev. A 55, 3874 (1997). CrossRef

Question of Consciousness: to Quantum Mechanics for the Answers

Abstract The article presents the possible role of consciousness in quantum-mechanical description of physical reality. The widely spread interpretations of quantum phenomena are considered as indicating the apparent connection between conscious processes (such as observation) and the properties of the microcosm. The reasons for discrepancies between the results of observations of the microcosm and macrocosm and the potential association of consciousness with these reasons are closely investigated. The mentioned connection is meant to be interpreted in the sense that the probable requirement for a complete understanding of quantum theory is the adequate description of consciousness within it and that the correct theory of consciousness should include quantum-mechanical theoretical apparatus. In this context, the question about the methods of scientific cognition is discussed, in particular, the problem of the place and the importance of intellectual intuition in science and philosophy of science. The author draws the conclusions about the current state of the “measuring” consciousness. problem in its relationship with

Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Correct?

In an earlier paper written in loving memory of Asher Peres, we gave a critical analysis of the celebrated 1935 paper in which Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen (EPR) challenged the completeness of quantum mechanics. There, we had pointed out logical shortcomings in the EPR paper. Now, we raise additional questions concerning their suggested program to find a theory that would “provide a complete description of the physical reality”. In particular, we investigate the extent to which the EPR argumentation could have lead to the more dramatic conclusion that quantum mechanics is in fact incorrect. With this in mind, we propose a speculation, made necessary by a logical shortcoming in the EPR paper caused by the lack of a necessary condition for “elements of reality”, and surmise that an eventually complete theory would either be inconsistent with quantum mechanics, or would at least violate Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle.

Advanced food process engineering to model real foods and processes: The “SAFES” methodology

Food quality and safety are the main concerns of consumers and the principal target of the food industry processes. The concept of “food process engineering for product quality” has been arising in the last years with the aim of designing and controlling processes to produce food products with very specific properties of quality and safety, previously defined on the basis of market opportunities analysis. The final properties of food products are the result of the changes in raw material as a consequence of process conditions. In the case of colloidal or cellular foods, these changes may be observed as differences in quality factors as food composition, nutritional facts, taste and flavour, aspect, shape and size, colour, texture, etc. These changes in food properties may be explained because physical and chemical phenomena produced in line with the process progression, as structure deformations, chemical or enzymatic reactions, phase transitions, etc. The models currently used in food process engineering simplify too much both the food system description and the mechanisms and rate equations of changes. The food system is supposed to be homogeneous and continuous. In this way, thermodynamic and kinetic equations deduced for ideal gas or liquids, in conditions close to equilibrium are applied to cellular solid foods, in conditions far away from the equilibrium. It is necessary to develop advanced concepts and methodologies in food process engineering. The new models for food and processes development must incorporate information about all these aspects (thermodynamic, structural, chemist and biochemist, and even mechanics). Only in this way they would be able to calculate and predict the real changes in the whole quality of food product in line with the process progression. The SAFES methodology (systematic approach to food engineering systems) recognizes the complexity of food system and allows coordinating the information about food structure, composition, quality, thermodynamic, etc. in adequate tools to develop real food and processes models. “In a complete theory there is an element corresponding to each element of reality” [Einstein, A., Podolsky, B., & Rosen, N., (1935). Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete? Physical Review, 47, pp. 777–780].

The EPR paradox: Einstein scrutinises quantum mechanics

Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen (EPR), in their famous paper, argued that the quantum-mechanical description of physical reality is incomplete. They showed that one can envisage physical situations whereby ‘an element of physical reality’ can be located such that it does not have a counterpart in quantum theory. A simple description of the EPR paradox is presented in this article, using the example of two spin-1/2 particles.

Two‐Photon “Ghost” Image and Interference‐Diffractiona

One of the most surprising consequences of quantum mechanics is entanglement of two or more distance particles. The two-particle entangled state was mathematically formulated by Schrodinger. Based on this unusual quantum behavior, EPR defined their 'physical reality' and then asked the question: 'Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Complete?' One may not appreciate EPR's criterion of physical reality and insist that 'no elementary quantum phenomenon is a phenomenon until it is a recorded phenomenon'. Optical spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) is the most effective mechanism to generate an EPR type entangled two-photon state. In SPDC, an optical beam, called the pump, is incident on a birefringent crystal. The pump is intense enough so that nonlinear effects lead to the conversion of pump photons into pairs of photons, historically called signal and idler. Technically, the SPDC is said to be type-1 or type-2, depending on whether the signal and idler beams have parallel or orthogonal polarization. The SPDC conversion efficiency is typically on the order of 10(exp -9) to 10(exp -11), depending on the SPDC nonlinear material. The signal and idler intensities are extremely low, only single photon detection devices can register them. The quantum entanglement nature of SPDC has been demonstrated in EPR-Bohm experiments and Bell's inequality measurements. The following two experiments were recently performed in our laboratory, which are more closely related to the original 1935 EPR gedankenezperiment. The first experiment is a two-photon optical imaging type experiment, which has been named 'ghost image' by the physics community. The signal and idler beams of SPDC are sent in different directions, so that the detection of the signal and idler photons can be performed by two distant photon counting detectors. An aperture object (mask) is placed in front of the signal photon detector and illuminated by the signal beam through a convex lens. Surprisingly, an image of this aperture is observed in the idler beam, by scanning the idler photon detector in the transverse plane of the idler beam, if we are sure that the idler photon detector 'catches' the 'twin brother' of the signal, which can be easily performed by a coincidence measurement. This effect is even more striking when we found that the object-lens-image relationship satisfies the Gaussian thin lens equation. The second experiment demonstrates two-photon 'ghost' interference-diffraction. The experimental set up is similar to the image experiment, except that rather than a lens and an aperture it is a Young's double-slit (or a single-slit) inserted into the path of the signal beam. We could not find any interference (or diffraction) pattern behind the slit. Surprisingly, an interference (or diffraction) pattern is observed when scanning the detector in the idler beam, if we are sure that the idler photon detector 'catches' the 'twin brother' of the signal.

Bell’s theorem and quantum mechanics

Bell showed that assuming locality leads to a disagreement with quantum mechanics. Here the nature of the nonlocality that follows from quantum mechanics is investigated. Note by the Editor—Readers will recognize Professor Rosen, author of this paper, as one of the co-authors of the famous EPR paper, Albert Einstein, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen, ‘‘Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality be considered Complete?’’, Phys. Rev. 47, 770–780 (1935). Robert H. Romer, Editor

Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality be Considered Complete?

It is shown that a certain "criterion of physical reality" formulated in a recent article with the above title by A. Einstein, B. Podolsky and N. Rosen contains an essential ambiguity when it is applied to quantum phenomena. In this connection a viewpoint termed "complementarity" is explained from which quantum-mechanical description of physical phenomena would seem to fulfill, within its scope, all rational demands of completeness.

Quantum Mechanics as a Physical Theory

THE issue of the Physical Review dated May 15 contains a contribution by Prof. A. Einstein, B. Podolsky and N. Rosen under the title: “Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality be Considered Complete?” The authors answer this question in the negative. They begin by pointing out that it is important to draw a distinction between the physical concepts, which are introduced into a theory and form its subject matter, and the objective reality, which is independent of the theory and which it is the purpose of the theory to describe. That is to say, we have to draw a distinction between the results of experiment and our theoretical description of them.

Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Complete?

In a complete theory there is an element corresponding to each element of reality. A sufficient condition for the reality of a physical quantity is the possibility of predicting it with certainty, without disturbing the system. In quantum mechanics in the case of two physical quantities described by non-commuting operators, the knowledge of one precludes the knowledge of the other. Then either (1) the description of reality given by the wave function in quantum mechanics is not complete or (2) these two quantities cannot have simultaneous reality. Consideration of the problem of making predictions concerning a system on the basis of measurements made on another system that had previously interacted with it leads to the result that if (1) is false then (2) is also false. One is thus led to conclude that the description of reality as given by a wave function is not complete.