Reality, measurement and locality in Quantum Field Theory

TL;DR

This paper argues that Quantum Field Theory can be fully compatible with locality and causality by adopting a statistical interpretation, challenging the common belief that measurement destroys local causality due to Bell's theorem.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the EPR paradox is resolved independently of interpretation by considering the Standard Model's constraints, supporting a local, causal interpretation of QFT.

Findings

EPR argument is removed by Standard Model constraints

Bell's theorem does not imply nonlocality under a statistical interpretation

QFT can be reconciled with locality and causality

Abstract

It is currently believed that the local causality of Quantum Field Theory (QFT) is destroyed by the measurement process. This belief is also based on the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) paradox and on the so-called Bell's theorem, that are thought to prove the existence of a mysterious, instantaneous action between distant measurements. However, I have shown recently that the EPR argument is removed, in an interpretation-independent way, by taking into account the fact that the Standard Model of Particle Physics prevents the production of entangled states with a definite number of particles. This result is used here to argue in favor of a statistical interpretation of QFT and to show that it allows for a full reconciliation with locality and causality. Within such an interpretation, as Ballentine and Jarret pointed out long ago, Bell's theorem does not demonstrate any nonlocality.