Quantum Postulate Research Articles

Bohr on EPR, the Quantum Postulate, Determinism, and Contextuality

Bohr on EPR, the Quantum Postulate, Determinism, and Contextuality

Is the Devil in h?

This note is a part of my effort to rid quantum mechanics (QM) nonlocality. Quantum nonlocality is a two faced Janus: one face is a genuine quantum mechanical nonlocality (defined by the Lüders’ projection postulate). Another face is the nonlocality of the hidden variables model that was invented by Bell. This paper is devoted the deconstruction of the latter. The main casualty of Bell’s model is that it straightforwardly contradicts Heisenberg’s uncertainty and Bohr’s complementarity principles generally. Thus, we do not criticize the derivation or interpretation of the Bell inequality (as was done by numerous authors). Our critique is directed against the model as such. The original Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) argument assumed the Heisenberg’s principle without questioning its validity. Hence, the arguments of EPR and Bell differ crucially, and it is necessary to establish the physical ground of the aforementioned principles. This is the quantum postulate: the existence of an indivisible quantum of action given by the Planck constant. Bell’s approach with hidden variables implicitly implies rejection of the quantum postulate, since the latter is the basis of the reference principles.

Quantum postulate vs. quantum nonlocality: on the role of the Planck constant in Bell\u2019s argument

We present a quantum mechanical (QM) analysis of Bell’s approach to quantum foundations based on his hidden-variable model. We claim and try to justify that the Bell model contradicts to the Heinsenberg’s uncertainty and Bohr’s complementarity principles. The aim of this note is to point to the physical seed of the aforementioned principles. This is the Bohr’s quantum postulate: the existence of indivisible quantum of action given by the Planck constant h. By contradicting these basic principles of QM, Bell’s model implies rejection of this postulate as well. Thus, this hidden-variable model contradicts not only the QM-formalism, but also the fundamental feature of the quantum world discovered by Planck.

Theoretical Study of the Electronic Transition Rate Production in Alq3 molecule With Au Metal Interface

The electronic transition rate between a Alq3 molecular and Au metal in different coupling coefficient has examined using simple theoretical picture through Marcus theory for electronic transfer and quantum postulate. The electronic transfer rate contribution is discussion the transfer mechanism, its induced by the transition energy for molecule - metal system. The Alq3 molecule is named ( tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum ) and has chemical structure (C27H18AlN3O3). The rate of electron transfer for Alq3-Au system studies with 2-methyylpyridin, Hexanone, Acetone, Bezonitrile, Propanonitrile, Nitrobenzene and 1,2-ethanediol solvents. It has been shown that electron transtion across the Alq3-Au interface associated with solvent increases with decreases the transition energy and potential at interface

Gleason-Type Theorem for Projective Measurements, Including Qubits: The Born Rule Beyond Quantum Physics

Born’s quantum probability rule is traditionally included among the quantum postulates as being given by the squared amplitude projection of a measured state over a prepared state, or else as a trace formula for density operators. Both Gleason’s theorem and Busch’s theorem derive the quantum probability rule starting from very general assumptions about probability measures. Remarkably, Gleason’s theorem holds only under the physically unsound restriction that the dimension of the underlying Hilbert space \(\mathcal {H}\) must be larger than two. Busch’s theorem lifted this restriction, thereby including qubits in its domain of validity. However, while Gleason assumed that observables are given by complete sets of orthogonal projectors, Busch made the mathematically stronger assumption that observables are given by positive operator-valued measures. The theorem we present here applies, similarly to the quantum postulate, without restricting the dimension of \(\mathcal {H}\) and for observables given by complete sets of orthogonal projectors. We also show that the Born rule applies beyond the quantum domain, thereby exhibiting the common root shared by some quantum and classical phenomena.

The methodological lesson of complementarity: Bohr’s naturalistic epistemology

Bohr’s intellectual journey began with the recognition that empirical phenomena implied the breakdown of classical mechanics in the atomic domain; this, in turn, led to his adoption of the ‘quantum postulate’ that justifies the ‘stationary states’ of his atomic model of 1913. His endeavor to develop a wider conceptual framework harmonizing both classical and quantum descriptions led to his proposal of the new methodological goals and standards of complementarity. Bohr’s claim that an empirical discovery can demand methodological revision justifies regarding his epistemological lesson as supporting a naturalistic epistemology.

Einstein's "true" discontinuity.With an application to Zeno

The question whether quantum discontinuity can or cannot provide an answer to Zeno's Paradoxes is reopened. It is observed that what is usually understood by the term "discontinuity", namely, Einstein's conception of the photon as described by himself and all others, is unsuitable to the task because, essentially,it reduces to the trivial 'discontinuity' of objects scattered in space. By contrast, quantization of energy levels, which are not in space but can only alternate in time, provide the right sort of discontinuity required. Discrete quantized orbits, corresponding to eigen-frequencies, are irreducible, and nothing is allowed to stand in-between them in satisfaction of the quantum postulate, furnishing the requisite, and so far missing, immediate nextness of a point to a certain other. In this way, Zeno's Runner need not postpone his first step indefinitely, always waiting upon an infinity of preceding steps, before it can be taken. There is now a point that is next to a point and so a step on that point, which is the first step. It follows that, if one kind of discontinuity, Einstein's, is incapable of offerring an answer to Zeno, while another kind can, the two are discrepant. One of them, the former, is not a kind of discontinuity properly so called at all, though evidently the consequence of one.

Refocusing Bohr's quantum postulate

As recently noted by Landsman, the postulate claimed by Bohr to characterize the essence of quantum theory has not played a major role in modern formulations of the theory. Folse has argued that the postulate nonetheless served a key role in Bohr's development of the “wholeness” and complementarity that underlie standard quantum-mechanical calculations. This paper presents one way to bring the main ideas of the quantum postulate into a sharper focus, one that addresses more directly how quantum mechanics is applied in the analysis of experimental results, and also leads to a useful criterion in evaluating counterfactual assertions about certain kinds of atomic-level measurements.

The nuclear muse: literature, physics, and the first atomic bombs

John Canaday analyzes a variety of texts produced by physicists before, during, and after the Second World War, including Niels Bohr s The Quantum Postulate; the Blegdamsvej Faust, a parody of Goethe s Faust that cast physicists as its principle characters; The Los Alamos Primer, the technical lectures used for training at Los Alamos; scientists descriptions of their work and of the Trinity test; and Leo Szilard s post-war novella, The Voice of the Dolphins.

Quantum Mechanics without Waves: A Generalization of Classical Statistical Mechanics

We generalize classical statistical mechanics to describe the kynematics and the dynamics of systems whose variables are constrained by a single quantum postulate (discreteness of the spectrum of values of at least one variable of the theory). This is possible provided we adopt Feynman's suggestion of dropping the assumption that the probability for an event must always be a positive number. This approach has the advantage of allowing a reformulation of quantum theory in phase space without introducing the unphysical concept of probability amplitudes, together with all the problems concerning their ambiguous properties.

The Emergence of a Root Metaphor in Modern Physics: Max Planck's ‘Quantum’ Metaphor

The two purposes of this article are: 1) to use metaphorical analysis to determine whether or not Max Planck invented the quantum postulate and 2) to demonstrate how metaphorical analysis can be used to analyze the rhetoric of revolutionary texts in science. Metaphors often serve as the basis of invention for scientific theories. When we identify these metaphors in Planck's original 1900 quantum paper, it is clear that Planck did consider the quantum postulate to be important. However, we also see that he does not consider the quantum postulate to be revolutionary.

L'évolution de la complémentarité dans les textes de Bohr (1927-1939)

SUMMARY. — This paper emphasizes the evolution of complementarity, in Niels Bohr's successive formulations of this idea, from 1927 to 1939, despite little, if any change in the definition of the concept with time. In the Como lecture, in 1927, Bohr introduced the idea of « complementary descriptions » in a problematic, polemical way. Against Schrödinger' s interpretation, he stressed the « irrationality » inherent in the quantum postulate. In 1935, Bohr again used complementarity polemically, in his reply to Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen. But far from intending it to convey irrationality this time, he meant to use it instead to prove that quantum mechanics is a complete theory. Finally, I will take up Bohr's attempts to apply complementarity to fundamental problems in biology, psychology, sociology, and so forth. I will argue that the introduction of complementarity outside physics was not motivated by an imperialist ambition of the Copenhagen School, but rather inspired by Bohr's own personal philosophy.

Statistical interpretation of the Planck constant and the uncertainty relation

A statistically founded derivation of the quanta of energy is presented, which yields the Planck formula for the mean energy of the blackbody radiation without making use of the quantum postulate. The derivation presupposes an ensemble of particles and leads to a statistical interpretation of the Planck constant, which is defined and discussed. By means of the proposed interpretation ofh and as an application of it, the quantum uncertainty relation is derived classically and results as a statistical inequality. On the whole this paper is compatible with the statistical ensemble interpretation of quantum mechanics.

A critical note on the greatest days of quantum theory

The rational understanding of the quantum theory achieved by de Broglie is contrasted with the Copenhagen emphasis on “the quantum postulate with its inherent ‘irrationality’” (Niels Bohr, Ref. 1).

Theorems of bianisotropic media

Theorems concerning electromagnetic fields in linear nonconducting bianisotropic media are investigated. After establishing their symmetry properties, the constitutive relations are examined under time reversal and spatial inversion transformations. Conditions under which the image method and the reciprocity relationships can be applied are discussed. Dyadic Green's functions and duality relations are also derived. With a postulated Lagrangian density, Maxwell's equations are obtained from Hamilton's principle, and energy momentum tensors are obtained from Noether's theorem. Introducing a quantum postulate in addition to the Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic fields in bianisotropic media are quantized.

On Peierls’ method of quantization

By slightly changing the quantum postulate of Peierls’ method of quantization it is shown that it is possible to obtain commutation rules for half-integer spin fields without introducing « extra » operators. To illustrate other aspects of the postulate, trilmear commutation rules are deduced. Commutation rules for multicomponent Klein-Gordon fields for arbitrary spin are also obtained, and from these the usual commutation rules for arbitrary spin fields are obtained by means of projection operators.

STRIFE ABOUT COMPLEMENTARITY (II)

W E saw (sees. 2 and 3) that, for Bohr and Rosenfeld, the observed system and the instrument of observation form a whole, a ' sealed unit' defining the phenomenon. ' Any atomic scale phenomenon must thus be conceived as a whole ; any attempt to apply to it the same kind of analysis as in classical physics would simply make it vanish. The word ' atomic ' here resumes its etymological sense with a more subtle connotation.' x That is to say, the atomic scale phenomenon is regarded as a whole in the sense of holistic philosophies—a totality that cannot be rationalised and hence represents a limit, a non plus ultra, to human knowledge. For instance, every energy change in an atom has to be regarded as elementary or atomic, because the forever indivisible quantum is involved in i t ; * and, as Bridgman once said, ' it is meaningless to penetrate much deeper than the electron ', for there is really nothing within it. This modern version of atomism is as mechanistic as ancient atomism and as irrationalistic as any obscurantist world outlook. The irrationalist feature lies in the claim that wholes are unanalysable, that their analysis and understanding is forever beyond all human possibility. This irrationalist aspect of the official philosophy of quantum mechanics was recognised by Bohr himself, when he wrote that the ' quantum postulate', according to which every atomic process exhibits a character of ' individuality ' or wholeness, is an ' irrational element '. Elsewhere, after describing an electron diffraction phenomenon, Bohr stresses the universality of such an irrational totality (which he calls individuality) : The impossibility of a closer analysis of the reactions between the particle and the measuring instrument is indeed no peculiarity of the experimental procedure described, but is rather an essential property

STRIFE ABOUT COMPLEMENTARITY (I)

W E saw (sees. 2 and 3) that, for Bohr and Rosenfeld, the observed system and the instrument of observation form a whole, a ' sealed unit' defining the phenomenon. ' Any atomic scale phenomenon must thus be conceived as a whole ; any attempt to apply to it the same kind of analysis as in classical physics would simply make it vanish. The word ' atomic ' here resumes its etymological sense with a more subtle connotation.' x That is to say, the atomic scale phenomenon is regarded as a whole in the sense of holistic philosophies—a totality that cannot be rationalised and hence represents a limit, a non plus ultra, to human knowledge. For instance, every energy change in an atom has to be regarded as elementary or atomic, because the forever indivisible quantum is involved in i t ; * and, as Bridgman once said, ' it is meaningless to penetrate much deeper than the electron ', for there is really nothing within it. This modern version of atomism is as mechanistic as ancient atomism and as irrationalistic as any obscurantist world outlook. The irrationalist feature lies in the claim that wholes are unanalysable, that their analysis and understanding is forever beyond all human possibility. This irrationalist aspect of the official philosophy of quantum mechanics was recognised by Bohr himself, when he wrote that the ' quantum postulate', according to which every atomic process exhibits a character of ' individuality ' or wholeness, is an ' irrational element '. Elsewhere, after describing an electron diffraction phenomenon, Bohr stresses the universality of such an irrational totality (which he calls individuality) : The impossibility of a closer analysis of the reactions between the particle and the measuring instrument is indeed no peculiarity of the experimental procedure described, but is rather an essential property

The Quantum Postulate and Atomic Theory

EVERY physicist is greatly indebted both to Prof. Bohr for committing to paper, and to NATURE for printing, the admirable account of the new wave mechanics entitled “The Quantum Postulate and the Recent Development of Atomic Theory,” which appeared as a Supplement to the issue of April 14. It sets out in an extraordinarily luminous manner the essentials of the new ideas.

The Quantum Postulate and the Recent Development of Atomic Theory1

IN connexion with the discussion of the physical interpretation of the quantum theoretical methods developed during recent years, I should like to make the following general remarks regarding the principles underlying the description of atomic phenomena, which I hope may help to harmonise the different views, apparently so divergent, concerning this subject.