Feasible scheme for measuring experimentally the speed of the response of quantum states to the change of the boundary condition

TL;DR

This paper proposes an experimental method to measure the speed at which quantum states respond to boundary condition changes, which could clarify fundamental quantum mechanics questions and distinguish between different interpretations.

Contribution

It introduces a feasible experimental scheme using current technology to measure the response speed of quantum states to boundary condition changes.

Findings

Potential to distinguish between instantaneous and finite response speeds.

Clarifies implications for superluminal signaling and classicality emergence.

Supports testing of quantum interpretations like pilot-wave theory.

Abstract

When the boundary condition of a quantum system changes, how fast will it affect the state of the system? Here we show that if the response takes place immediately, then it can allow superluminal signal transfer. Else if the response propagates in space with a finite speed, then it could give a simple explanation why our world shows classicality on the macroscopic scale. Furthermore, determining the exact value of this speed can either clarify the doubts on static experiments for testing Bell's inequality, or support the pilot-wave interpretation of quantum mechanics. We propose an experimental scheme for measuring this speed, which can be implemented with state-of-art technology, e.g., single-electron biprism interference.