A Very Common Fallacy in Quantum Mechanics: Superposition, Delayed Choice, Quantum Erasers, Retrocausality, and All That

TL;DR

This paper identifies a widespread misconception in quantum mechanics interpretations, called the separation fallacy, which affects understanding of experiments like double-slit, quantum erasers, and delayed choice, leading to flawed conclusions about retrocausality.

Contribution

It clarifies the separation fallacy's role in misinterpreting quantum experiments and challenges claims of retrocausality in delayed choice scenarios.

Findings

Highlights the prevalence of the separation fallacy in quantum interpretations

Shows how the fallacy leads to incorrect conclusions about retrocausality

Provides a clearer understanding of quantum experiment interpretations

Abstract

There is a very common fallacy, here called the separation fallacy, that is involved in the interpretation of quantum experiments involving a certain type of separation such as the: double-slit experiments, which-way interferometer experiments, polarization analyzer experiments, Stern-Gerlach experiments, and quantum eraser experiments. It is the separation fallacy that leads not only to flawed textbook accounts of these experiments but to flawed inferences about retrocausality in the context of "delayed choice" versions of separation experiments.