Simple experiment to test a hypothetical transient deviation from Quantum Mechanics

TL;DR

This paper proposes a simple test to detect a hypothetical transient deviation from standard Quantum Mechanics, analyzing previous experimental data and emphasizing the need for a dedicated experiment to confirm or refute the model.

Contribution

It introduces a testable model predicting a transient deviation from QM correlations and analyzes existing experimental data in support of this hypothesis.

Findings

Data from previous experiments are consistent with the model.

No definitive evidence against the transient deviation hypothesis.

A specific experiment is necessary for conclusive results.

Abstract

Quantum Mechanics (QM) predicts the correlation between measurements performed in remote regions of a spatially spread entangled state to be higher than allowed by the intuitive concepts of Locality and Realism (LR). This high correlation forbids the introduction of nonlinear operators of evolution in QM (which would be desirable for several reasons), for it would lead to faster-than-light signaling. As a way out of this situation, it has been hypothesized that the high quantum correlation can be observed only after a time longer than L/c has elapsed (where L is the spatial spread of the entangled state and c is the speed of light). In shorter times, a level of correlation compatible with LR would be observed instead. A simple model following this hypothesis is described. It has not been disproved by any of the performed experiments to date. A test achievable with accessible means is proposed. The data recorded in a similar but incomplete experiment (which was done in 2012 with a different purpose, and repeated in 2018 producing essentially the same results) are analyzed, and are found consistent with the described model. Yet, we stress that a specific experiment is absolutely needed.