Reciprocal ontological models show indeterminism of the order of quantum theory

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that within certain ontological models, indeterminism at the level of quantum mechanics is unavoidable, implying fundamental limits on the possibility of deterministic underlying theories and affecting quantum random number generation.

Contribution

It proves that reciprocal ontological models must exhibit indeterminism comparable to quantum theory, showing fundamental constraints on underlying deterministic explanations.

Findings

Reciprocal ontological models cannot be deterministic.

Indeterminism in these models is of the same order as quantum theory.

Implications for quantum random number generators.

Abstract

The question whether indeterminism in quantum measurement outcomes is fundamental or is there a possibility of constructing a finer theory underlying quantum mechanics that allows no such indeterminism, has been debated for a long time. We show that within the class of ontological models due to Harrigan and Spekkens, those satisfying preparation-measurement reciprocity must allow indeterminism of the order of quantum theory. Our result implies that one can design quantum random number generator, for which it is impossible, even in principle, to construct a reciprocal deterministic model.