Quantum theory of preparation and measurement

Abstract

The conventional postulate for the probabilistic interpretation of quantum mechanics is asymmetric in preparation and measurement, making retrodiction reliant on inference by use of Bayes' theorem. Here, a more fundamental symmetric postulate is presented, from which both predictive and retrodictive probabilities emerge immediately, even where measurement devices more general than those usually considered are involved. It is shown that the new postulate is perfectly consistent with the conventional postulate.

25 pages, No figures

References in corpus (1)

• Bayes' theorem and quantum retrodiction

Cited by in corpus (17)

• Towards a Formulation of Quantum Theory as a Causally Neutral Theory of Bayesian Inference
• Time-reversal and super-resolving phase measurements
• The significance of the imaginary part of the weak value
• Weak Values are Interference Phenomena
• Is a time symmetric interpretation of quantum theory possible without retrocausality?
• Certainty in Heisenberg's uncertainty principle: Revisiting definitions for estimation errors and disturbance
• Operational quantum theory without predefined time
• Quantum retrodiction in open systems
• Quantum instruments as a foundation for both states and observables
• Measurement master equation
• Quantum nature of laser light
• Separability, Contextuality, and the Quantum Frame Problem
• Retrodictive fidelities for pure state postselectors
• Retrodiction as a tool for micromaser field measurements
• Measurement of a spin-1 system
• Fidelity for imperfect postselection
• Strong causality from weak via continuous monitoring