The photon identification loophole in EPRB experiments: computer models with single-wing selection

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a local, non-quantum computer simulation can reproduce quantum correlations in EPRB experiments by exploiting a photon identification loophole, challenging the assumptions of Bell's theorem.

Contribution

It introduces a minimal, faithful computer model that incorporates local photon identification procedures, revealing a loophole in Bell test experiments.

Findings

Simulation reproduces quantum correlations without nonlocality.

Photon identification procedures are crucial and often overlooked.

Bell's theorem does not account for local photon selection loopholes.

Abstract

Recent Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm experiments [M. Giustina et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 250401 (2015); L. K. Shalm et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 250402 (2015)] that claim to be loophole free are scrutinized and are shown to suffer a photon identification loophole. The combination of a digital computer and discrete-event simulation is used to construct a minimal but faithful model of the most perfected realization of these laboratory experiments. In contrast to prior simulations, all photon selections are strictly made, as they are in the actual experiments, at the local station and no other "post-selection" is involved. The simulation results demonstrate that a manifestly non-quantum model that identifies photons in the same local manner as in these experiments can produce correlations that are in excellent agreement with those of the quantum theoretical description of the corresponding thought experiment, in conflict with Bell's theorem. The failure of Bell's theorem is possible because of our recognition of the photon identification loophole. Such identification measurement-procedures are necessarily included in all actual experiments but are not included in the theory of Bell and his followers.