A new interpretation of quantum mechanics suggests reality does not
depend on the measurer

Date:
October 8, 2020
Source:
Aalto University
Summary:
For 100 years scientists have disagreed on how to interpret quantum
mechanics. A recent study supports an interpretation that is close
to classical scientific principles.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Quantum mechanics arose in the 1920s -- and since then scientists
have disagreed on how best to interpret it. Many interpretations,
including the Copenhagen interpretation presented by Niels Bohr and
Werner Heisenberg and in particular von Neumann-Wigner interpretation,
state that the consciousness of the person conducting the test affects
its result. On the other hand, Karl Popper and Albert Einstein thought
that an objective reality exists. Erwin Schro"dinger put forward the
famous thought experiment involving the fate of an unfortunate cat that
aimed to describe the imperfections of quantum mechanics.


==========================================================================
In their most recent article, Finnish civil servants Jussi Lindgren and
Jukka Liukkonen, who study quantum mechanics in their free time, take
a look at the uncertainty principle that was developed by Heisenberg
in 1927. According to the traditional interpretation of the principle,
location and momentum cannot be determined simultaneously to an arbitrary degree of precision ,as the person conducting the measurement always
affects the values.

However, in their study Lindgren and Liukkonen concluded that the
correlation between a location and momentum, i.e. their relationship,
is fixed. In other words, reality is an object that does not depend on
the person measuring it.

Lindgren and Liukkonen utilized stochastic dynamic optimization in
their study.

In their theory's frame of reference, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle
is a manifestation of thermodynamic equilibrium, in which correlations
of random variables do not vanish.

"The results suggest that there is no logical reason for the results
to be dependent on the person conducting the measurement. According to
our study, there is nothing that suggests that the consciousness of the
person would disturb the results or create a certain result or reality,"
says Jussi Lindgren.

This interpretation supports such interpretations of quantum mechanics
that support classical scientific principles.

"The interpretation is objective and realistic, and at the same time as
simple as possible. We like clarity and prefer to remove all mysticism,"
says Liukkonen.



==========================================================================
The researchers published their last article in December 2019, which also utilized mathematical analysis as a tool to explain quantum mechanics. The method they used was stochastic optimal control theory, which has been
used to solve such challenges as how to send a rocket from the Earth to
the Moon.

Following Occam's razor, the law of parsimony named after William of
Ockham, the researchers have now chosen the simplest explanation from
those that fit.

"We study quantum mechanics as a statistical theory. Themathematical tool
is clear, but some might think it is a boring one. But is an explanation
really an explanation, if it's a vague one?" asks Lindgren.

In addition to the study of quantum mechanics, Lindgren and Liukkonen have
many other things in common: they were both members of the same maths club
at Kuopio Lyceum High School, they both have done post-graduate research,
and both have careers ascivil servants. Liukkonen has already finished
his PhD dissertation on endoscopic ultrasound on joints and now works
as an inspector at Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.

"Physics is a great hobby for a civil servant. Together we have agonised
over how the interpretations of quantum mechanics make no sense,"
says Liukkonen.

Lindgren's dissertation currently consists of various mathematical
articles trying to explain quantum mechanics. He works full-time as
a ministerial adviser at Prime Minister's Office where he has been
negotiating such issues as the EU's recovery plan. A decade ago, he
also participated in negotiations on Greece's loan guarantees, as a
junior official.

Lindgren and Liukkonen's idea of a paradise is a festival conference
which would combine short films with lectures on quantum physics.

"Physicists and artists could find new ways to work together -- after all,
both areas are manifestations of creativity," says Lindgren.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Aalto_University. Note: Content may
be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Jussi Lindgren, Jukka Liukkonen. The Heisenberg Uncertainty
Principle as
an Endogenous Equilibrium Property of Stochastic Optimal Control
Systems in Quantum Mechanics. Symmetry, 2020; 12 (9): 1533 DOI:
10.3390/ sym12091533 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201008091640.htm

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