Nonlocality as an axiom for quantum theory

TL;DR

This paper explores whether nonlocality combined with relativistic causality can serve as foundational axioms for quantum theory, revealing potential correlations and equations beyond standard quantum mechanics.

Contribution

It proposes that nonlocality and causality might be fundamental axioms, showing they can lead to stronger correlations and alternative nonlocal equations not present in quantum mechanics.

Findings

Correlations can violate the CHSH inequality more strongly than quantum mechanics allows.

Nonlocal equations of motion can exist that do not arise in standard quantum theory.

Experimenters can 'jam' nonlocal correlations using these equations.

Abstract

Quantum mechanics and relativistic causality together imply nonlocality: nonlocal correlations (that violate the CHSH inequality) and nonlocal equations of motion (the Aharonov-Bohm effect). Can we invert the logical order? We consider a conjecture that nonlocality and relativistic causality together imply quantum mechanics. We show that correlations preserving relativistic causality can violate the CHSH inequality more strongly than quantum correlations. Also, we describe nonlocal equations of motion, preserving relativistic causality, that do not arise in quantum mechanics. In these nonlocal equations of motion, an experimenter ``jams" nonlocal correlations between quantum systems.