Testing Born's rule via photoionization of helium

TL;DR

This paper proposes using advanced attosecond photoionization experiments to empirically test Born's rule, a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics, through the Sorkin test, considering realistic experimental conditions.

Contribution

It demonstrates how current experimental techniques can perform the Sorkin test with precision comparable to the best existing tests, enabling new fundamental quantum mechanics investigations.

Findings

Achievable measurement precision comparable to top Sorkin tests

Simulation includes realistic noise and data efficiency

Potential for further fundamental quantum tests

Abstract

It is shown how state-of-the-art attosecond photoionization experiments can test Born's rule -- a postulate of quantum mechanics -- via the so-called Sorkin test. A simulation of the Sorkin test under consideration of typical experimental noise and data acquisition efficiencies infers an achievable measurement precision in the range of the best Sorkin tests to date. The implementation of further fundamental tests of quantum mechanics is discussed.