A no-go theorem for Quantum theory ontological models

TL;DR

This paper proves that quantum states cannot be represented by underlying physical states, using thought experiments that challenge existing ontological models and assumptions in quantum theory.

Contribution

It establishes a no-go theorem demonstrating the impossibility of ontological models for quantum mechanics through thought experiments based on Wigner's friend scenario.

Findings

Quantum states lack corresponding physical states in ontological models

Certain assumptions like PBR theorem and no-superdeterminism are incompatible with quantum predictions

The results challenge the existence of a classical-like underlying reality for quantum systems

Abstract

In this paper, we show that Quantum Mechanics does not admit ontological models, in the sense that the quantum state of a system cannot correspond to a set of physical states representing the independent reality of the system. We show, via two thought experiments based on the Wigner's friend scenario, that if the ontic state of physical systems in the lab is the same for Wigner and for his friend, one of the following will be violated: PBR theorem, Quantum-theoretic predictions, and the "No-superdeterminism" assumption.