Are the 'weak measurements' really measurements?

TL;DR

Weak measurements aim to probe quantum systems without destroying interference, but their unusual results reflect measurement failure rather than revealing true physical pathways.

Contribution

This paper critically examines the nature of weak measurements, arguing they do not provide insight into physical reality but instead highlight measurement limitations.

Findings

Weak measurement outcomes are due to measurement failure.

Unusual mean values do not reveal true quantum pathways.

Weak measurements do not circumvent the uncertainty principle.

Abstract

Weak measurements can be seen as an attempt at answering the 'Which way?' question without destroying interference between the pathways involved. Unusual mean values obtained in such measurements represent the response of a quantum system to this 'forbidden' question, in which the 'true' composition of virtual pathways is hidden from the observer. Such values indicate a failure of a measurement where the uncertainty principle says it must fail, rather than provide an additional insight into physical reality.