Quantum fluctuations, particles and entanglement: solving the quantum measurement problems

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new perspective on quantum measurement problems by emphasizing particles as fundamental entities, explaining wave-function collapse through entanglement and spacetime localization, and clarifying the emergence of classical outcomes from quantum states.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach that resolves quantum measurement issues by linking particles, spacetime events, and entanglement, providing a clearer interpretation beyond Born's rule.

Findings

Wave-function collapse explained via entanglement and spacetime support separation.

Derivation of a diagonal density matrix linking wave functions to outcome probabilities.

Supports objective reality of quantum fluctuations independent of observation.

Abstract

The so-called quantum measurement problems are solved from a new perspective. One of the main observations is that the basic entities of our world are {\it particles}, elementary or composite. It follows that each elementary process, hence each measurement process at its core, is a spacetime, pointlike, event. Another key idea is that, when a microsystem $\psi$ gets into contact with the experimental device, factorization of $\psi$ rapidly fails and entangled mixed states appear. The wave functions for the microsystem-apparatus coupled system for different measurement outcomes then lack overlapping spacetime support. It means that the aftermath of each measurement is a single term in the sum: a ``wave-function collapse". Our discussion leading to a diagonal density matrix, $\rho= {\rm diag} ( |c_1|^2, \ldots, |c_n|^2, \ldots )$ shows how the information encoded in the wave function $|\psi\rangle = \sum_n c_n | n \rangle $ gets transcribed, via entanglement with the experimental device and environment, into the relative frequencies ${\cal P}_n = |c_n|^2$ for various experimental outcomes $F=f_n$. Our discussion represents the first, significant steps towards filling in the logical gaps in the conventional interpretation based on Born's rule, replacing it with a clearer understanding of quantum mechanics. Accepting objective reality of quantum fluctuations, independent of any experiments, and independently of human presence, one renounces the idea that in a fundamental, complete theory of Nature the result of each single experiment must necessarily be predictable.