Standard Quantum Mechanics without observers

Abstract

The Projection Postulate from Standard Quantum Mechanics relies fundamentally on measurements. But measurements implicitly suggest the existence of anthropocentric notions like measuring devices, which should rather emerge from the theory. This article proposes an alternative formulation of the Standard Quantum Mechanics, in which the Projection Postulate is replaced with a version in which measurements and observations are not assumed as fundamental. More precisely, the Wigner functions representing the quantum states on the phase space are required to be tightly constrained to regions of the classical coarse-graining of the phase space. This ensures that states are quasiclassical at the macro level. Within a coarse-graining region, the time evolution of the Wigner functions representing the quantum system is required to obey the Liouville-von Neumann equation, the phase-space equivalent of the Schrödinger equation. The projection is postulated to happen when the system transitions from a coarse-graining region to others, by selecting one of them according to the Born rule, but without reference to a measurements. The connection with the standard formulation of Quantum Mechanics is explained, as well as the problems that the present formulation solves, in particular the Wigner's friend type of paradoxes. Experimental consequences and open problems of the proposed formulation are discussed.

arXiv comment15 pages

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