Entangled photon detection and ephemeral space-like Schr\"odinger cat states

TL;DR

This paper models single photon detection as a two-stage quantum phase transition process and explores how macro-entangled states behave in space-like separated measurements, avoiding superluminal communication.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model of photon detection involving cascading quantum phase transitions and analyzes the survival of macro-entangled states until causal contact.

Findings

Photon detection modeled as cascading phase transitions.

Macro-entangled superpositions persist until causal contact.

No superluminal communication occurs during measurements.

Abstract

A model of single photon detection, illustrated by a photon-absorbing superfluid or superconducting microvolume, is formulated as a cascading pair of quantum phase transitions. In the first, the microvolume transitions to the normal state upon photon absorption, resulting in a superposition of macrostates depending on whether the photon is absorbed or not. The second enables subsequent "wavefunction collapse," producing a density matrix implementing the Born probability rule. Next, EPR-type measurements on space-like separated entangled photon pairs are considered. It is argued that macro-entangled superposition indeed survives until such time as the component states come into causal contact, following which the state rapidly collapses to one or the other expected outcome. Apparent superluminal communication effects are entirely avoided.