A paradox in the quantum-mechanical treatment of destructive measurements on photons

TL;DR

This paper argues that in orthodox quantum mechanics, destructive measurements on photons do not truly measure their properties, challenging common interpretations related to Bell's theorem and quantum measurement.

Contribution

It reveals a paradox in the quantum-mechanical treatment of destructive photon measurements, questioning the assumption that such measurements reveal photon properties.

Findings

Destructive measurements do not definitively measure photon properties.

Quantum mechanics cannot claim to have measured a photon property in destructive measurements.

Highlights a fundamental limitation in interpreting destructive photon measurements.

Abstract

Measurements on photons are frequently cited as confirmations of predictions of quantum mechanics (QM), in particular in the context of Bell's theorem. In this paper we show, however, that we cannot ever claim to have measured a property of a photon if we treat a destructive measurement {of the value of a property of a photon prepared in a superposition of eigenstates} in the framework of orthodox QM.