On statements of experimental results expressed in the mathematical language of quantum theory

John M. Myers; F. Hadi Madjid

doi:10.1117/12.778500

3 April 2008 On statements of experimental results expressed in the mathematical language of quantum theory

John M. Myers, F. Hadi Madjid

Proceedings Volume 6976, Quantum Information and Computation VI; 69760A (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.778500
Event: SPIE Defense and Security Symposium, 2008, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

We note the separation of a quantum description of an experiment into a statement of results (as probabilities) and an explanation of these results (in terms of linear operators). The inverse problem of choosing an explanation to fit given results is analyzed, leading to the conclusion that any quantum description comes as an element of a family of related descriptions, entailing multiple statements of results and multiple explanations. Facing this multiplicity opens avenues for exploration and consequences that are only beginning to be explored. Among the consequences are these: (1) statements of results impose topologies on control parameters, without resort to any quantum explanation; (2) an endless source of distinct explanations forces an open cycle of exploration and description bringing more and more control parameters into play, and (3) ambiguity of description is essential to the concept of invariance in physics.

Citation Download Citation

John M. Myers and F. Hadi Madjid "On statements of experimental results expressed in the mathematical language of quantum theory", Proc. SPIE 6976, Quantum Information and Computation VI, 69760A (3 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.778500

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