A New Ontological View of the Quantum Measurement Problem

Abstract

A new ontological view of the quantum measurement processes is given, which has bearings on many broader issues in the foundations of quantum mechanics as well. In this scenario, a quantum measurement is a nonequilibrium phase transition in a "resonant cavity" formed by the entire physical universe including all of its material and energy content. A quantum measurement involves the energy and matter exchange among not only the system being measured and the measuring apparatus but also the global environment of the universe resonant cavity, which together constrain the nature of the phase transition.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 13, 2005
Accession Number
ADA435032

Entities

People

  • Xiaolei Zhang

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Blackbody Radiation
  • Bose Einstein Condensates
  • Detection
  • Elementary Particles
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Phase Transformations
  • Physical Theories
  • Physics
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Quantum Electrodynamics
  • Quantum Field Theory
  • Quantum Laws
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Scattering
  • Scientific Theories
  • Uncertainty Principle
  • Wave Equations

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Quantum spin resonance or Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Quantum Computing