Non-locality and quasiclassical reality in Kent's formulation of relativistic quantum theory

Abstract

We report Adrian Kent's proposed framework for a realist, one-world, Lorentz-invariant formulation of quantum theory. The idea is to postulate a final boundary condition: in effect, a late-time distribution of mass-energy recording how photons scattered off macroscopic objects. Nature selects this final boundary condition with the orthodox late-time Born probability; and this defines the probability space of events, to give a realist quantum theory. We emphasize two topics. First, we consider this formulation's verdicts about traditional locality conditions, such as Outcome Independence and Parameter Independence. Second, we discuss a possible amendment to Kent's proposal that, roughly speaking, allows for the emergence of a quasiclassical history even when mass-energy is shielded or delayed from appearing in the final boundary condition.

14 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Journal of Physics: Conference Series