Testing Realism in Quantum Mechanics Through Charge Conservation

TL;DR

This paper proposes two innovative experiments utilizing charge conservation to test the failure of realism in quantum mechanics, offering new insights into quantum foundations and the nature of measurement.

Contribution

It introduces novel experimental setups using charge conservation to directly test the realism assumption in quantum mechanics.

Findings

Charge conservation can be used to test quantum realism.

Weak measurements of charge density reveal non-local effects.

Charge-based experiments provide a new perspective on quantum non-locality.

Abstract

The universe is not locally realistic. Abandoning causality often appears more palatable than giving up on realism. This paper proposes two novel experimental setups to test realism's failure using the conservation of electric charge. The first employs weak measurements of charge density in a double-slit interference setup. The second uses entangled charged particles in a Bell-type experiment, measuring electric field correlations to detect non-local charge distribution. Both leverage charge conservation to explore whether charge location remains indefinite until measured. These experiments offer a new perspective on quantum foundations, using charge as a probe to question whether the universe assigns definite properties only upon observation. A discussion on why charge is more appropriate for such experiments than mass is also present.