Preparation and Measurement in Quantum Memory Models

TL;DR

This paper extends quantum memory models for semantic memory by incorporating density matrices and POVMs, enabling more realistic and flexible representations of human memory and measurement processes.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum-inspired model using density matrices and POVMs to better represent human memory and measurement in semantic tasks.

Findings

Provides a rigorous framework for measurement and contextuality in quantum memory models.

Suggests new experimental protocols for studying human word association.

Advances conceptual understanding of quantum-inspired cognitive models.

Abstract

Quantum Cognition has delivered a number of models for semantic memory, but to date these have tended to assume pure states and projective measurement. Here we relax these assumptions. A quantum inspired model of human word association experiments will be extended using a density matrix representation of human memory and a POVM based upon non-ideal measurements. Our formulation allows for a consideration of key terms like measurement and contextuality within a rigorous modern approach. This approach both provides new conceptual advances and suggests new experimental protocols.