Grounding Bohmian Mechanics in Weak Values and Bayesianism

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dc.creatorWiseman, H. M.
dc.date2007-06-18
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T08:10:44Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T08:10:44Z
dc.descriptionBohmian mechanics (BM) is a popular interpretation of quantum mechanics in which particles have real positions. The velocity of a point x in configuration space is defined as the standard probability current j(x) divided by the probability density P(x). However, this ``standard'' j is in fact only one of infinitely many that transform correctly and satisfy \dot P + \del . j=0. In this article I show that there is a unique j that can be determined experimentally as a weak value using techniques that would make sense to a classical physicist. Moreover, this operationally defined j equals the standard j, so, assuming \dot x = j/P, the possible Bohmian paths can also be determined experimentally from a large enough ensemble. Furthermore, this approach to deriving BM singles out x as the hidden variable, because (for example) the operationally defined momentum current is in general incompatible with the evolution of the momentum distribution. Finally I discuss how, in this setting, the usual quantum probabilities can be derived from a Bayesian standpoint, via the principle of indifference.
dc.description11 pages
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/0706.2522
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/0706.2522
dc.identifierNew J. Phys. 9 165 (2007)
dc.identifierdoi:10.1088/1367-2630/9/6/165
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/131909
dc.subjectQuantum Physics
dc.titleGrounding Bohmian Mechanics in Weak Values and Bayesianism
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