No-go theorem for the composition of quantum systems

Abstract

Building on the Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph theorem, we derive a no-go theorem for a vast class of deterministic hidden-variables theories, including those consistent on their targeted domain. The strength of this result throws doubt on seemingly natural assumptions (like the "preparation independence" of the Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph theorem) about how "real states" of subsystems compose for joint systems in nonentangled states. This points to constraints in modeling tensor-product states, similar to constraints demonstrated for more complex states by the Bell and Bell-Kochen-Specker theorems.

4 pages. v2: new title, significant revisions. v3: condensed, matches final published version

References in corpus (5)

• Hidden Variables and the Two Theorems of John Bell
• On the reality of the quantum state
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• Reality of the quantum state: Towards a stronger ψ-ontology theorem
• On the reality of the quantum state once again: A no-go theorem for $\psi$-ontic models
• Relational Quantum Mechanics and the PBR Theorem: A Peaceful Coexistence
• Protective Measurements and the Reality of the Wave Function
• Does the PBR Theorem Rule Out a Statistical Understanding of Quantum Mechanics?
• Fleeting Critical Review of the Recent Ontic Breakthrough in Quantum Mechanics
• Bell Nonlocality and the Reality of Quantum Wavefunction
• Reality, Causality, and Quantum Theory
• A Simplified Basis for Bell-Kochen-Specker Theorems
• From Joint to Single-System Psi-Onticity Without Preparation Independence
• On the Reality of the Wavefunction
• Quantum Entanglement in Time