Solving the EPR paradox with pseudo-classical paths

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new interpretation of quantum mechanics using pseudo-classical paths in hidden phase space, resolving the EPR paradox by reconciling locality and realism and linking weak values to these paths.

Contribution

It presents a novel hidden-variable interpretation that overcomes Bell's theorem assumptions, connecting weak values with coarse-grained classical-like paths in quantum states.

Findings

Quantum states as mixtures of non-interfering pseudo-classical paths

Paths are gauge-dependent and not constrained by classical algebra

Weak values emerge as averages along coarse-grained paths

Abstract

We propose a novel interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, which can resolve the outstanding conflict between the principles of locality and realism and offers new insight on the so-called weak values of physical observables. The discussion is presented in the context of Bohm's system of two photons in their singlet polarization state in which the Einstein-Podolski-Rosen paradox is commonly addressed. It is shown that quantum states can be understood as statistical mixtures of non-interfering pseudo-classical paths in a {\it hidden} phase space, in a way that overcomes the implicit assumptions of Bell's theorem and reproduces all expected values and correlations. The polarization properties of the photons along these paths are gauge-dependent magnitudes, whose actual values get fixed only after a reference direction is set by the observer of either photon A or B. Furthermore, these values are not constrained to fulfill standard classical algebraic relationships. These {\it hidden} paths can be grouped into coarser ones consistent with particular post-selection conditions for a complete set of commuting observables and along which every physical observable gets on average its corresponding weak value. Obviously, different sets of commuting observables lead to different coarse statistical representations of the same quantum state. This interpretation follows from the observation that in the Heisenberg picture of a closed quantum system in state $|\Psi>$ every physical observable ${\cal O}(t)=e^{+i H t} {\cal O} e^{-i H t}$ can be represented by an operator $P_{o(t)}$ within a commutative algebra, such that ${\cal O}(t)|\Psi>=P_{o(t)}|\Psi>$. The formalism presented here may become a useful tool for performing numerical simulations of quantum systems.