Reply to Comment on "Null weak values and the past of a quantum particle" by D. Sokolovski

TL;DR

This paper defends the significance of null weak values in quantum mechanics, arguing their interpretation depends on broader quantum formalism rather than measurement specifics, countering previous criticisms.

Contribution

It clarifies the relevance of null weak values and counters prior arguments against their interpretative significance in quantum theory.

Findings

Null weak values can correspond to the same transition elements as strong measurement suppression.

Interpretation of weak values depends on quantum formalism, not measurement type.

The paper refutes claims that null weak values lack physical meaning.

Abstract

We discuss the preceding Comment and conclude that the arguments given there against the relevance of null weak values as representing the absence of a system property are not compelling. We give an example in which the transition matrix elements that make the projector weak values vanish are the same ones that suppress detector clicks in strong measurements. Whether weak values are taken to account for the past of a quantum system or not depend on general interpretional commitments of the quantum formalism itself rather than on peculiarities of the weak measurements framework.