An extension of "Popper's experiment" can test interpretations of quantum mechanics

dc.creatorPlaga, R.
dc.date2000-10-06
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T06:00:57Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T06:00:57Z
dc.descriptionKarl Popper proposed a way to test whether a proposed relation of a quantum-mechanical state to perceived reality in the Copenhagen interpretation (CI) of quantum mechanics - namely that the state of a particle is merely an expression of ``what is known'' about the system - is in agreement with all experimental facts. A conceptual flaw in Popper's proposal is identified and an improved version of his experiment (called ``Extension step 1'') - which fully serves its original purpose - is suggested. The main purpose of this paper is to suggest to perform this experiment. The results of this experiment predicted under the alternative assumptions that the CI - together with the above connection of the state function with reality - or the ``many-worlds'' interpretation (MWI) is correct are shown to be identical. Only after a further modification (called ``Extension step 2'') - the use of an ion isolated from the macroscopic environment as particle detector - the predictions using the respective interpretations become qualitatively different.
dc.description15 pages, Latex, 3 eps figures, accepted for publication in Foundations of Physics Letters
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0010030
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0010030
dc.identifierFound.Phys.Lett. 13,461 (2000)
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/89121
dc.subjectQuantum Physics
dc.titleAn extension of "Popper's experiment" can test interpretations of quantum mechanics
dc.typetext

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