the collapse of the wavefunction is often said to be a fundamental problem in physics, because it would contradict special relativity. but this is nonsense, because here a relativistic question is asked in a non relativistic theory, quantum mechanics. the question would make sense in quantum field theory, which is lorentz invariant, but here the ''problem'' does not occur, since in qft the wavefunction is an operator.
please comment.
The term is misleading, because it doesn't describe anything more or less than what happens with any probabilistic description. Before a measurement a system can be found in many states; after a measurement it can be found in a smaller number of states, that's all. It's remarkable that there's, still, a reluctance in understanding that natural phenomena, whether quantum or classical, can be intrinsically random, but where the probability distribution itself is the non-random quantity. The difference between classical and quantum mechanics isn't that the former is deterministic, while the latter isn't; it's that the space of states of a quantum system is infinitely larger than its continuum limit.
When quantum mechanics was being developed, it was indeed thought that classical mechanics was deterministic, quantum mechanics was not and that producing the degrees of freedom that could describe the effects of the fluctuations would imply a deterministic description (Einstein, in particular, believed this). This is, simply, wrong as Poincaré had discovered, when he discovered how deterministic chaos is typical in classical mechanics-though this insight was forgotten for more than sixty years and, still, often, ignored.
The reason relativity is irrelevant is because the space of states doesn't have anything to do with spacetime.
What relativity does is affect the space of states, but in a way that's independent of quantum fluctuations. The space of states of a relativistic system, classical or not, is different from that of its non-relativistic limit.
The wavefunction isn't an observable quantity, it's a building block of observable quantities. What's observable and not random is the probability density.
Thank you for raising this important discussion on the collapse of the wavefunction. I'd like to offer some insights from my paper, "Emergent Universe from Many Unreal World Interpretation," which explores the phenomenon of wave function collapse within the framework of the holographic principle and quantized space.
Wave Function Collapse and Relativity: You rightly point out that the problem of wave function collapse is often discussed in the context of non-relativistic quantum mechanics, where it appears to conflict with special relativity. However, when considering quantum field theory (QFT), which is Lorentz invariant, the issue takes on a different perspective. In QFT, the wavefunction is indeed treated as an operator, and the concept of collapse does not pose the same kind of problem.
My Approach: In my research, I propose a novel interpretation that reconciles the wave function collapse with the principles of both quantum mechanics and relativity by incorporating the holographic principle and a quantized structure of space. Here are the key points:
Implications for Quantum Field Theory: By incorporating the holographic principle and quantized space, my approach offers a way to understand wave function collapse that aligns with the relativistic framework of QFT. The collapse is not an instantaneous, non-local event but a process encoded in the holographic surface, maintaining Lorentz invariance and consistency with relativistic principles.
Conclusion: The wave function collapse, when viewed through the lens of the holographic principle and quantized space, provides a coherent and unified explanation that bridges the gap between non-relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. This approach helps resolve the apparent contradiction with special relativity and offers a deeper understanding of quantum phenomena.
For a more detailed exploration of these concepts, you can read my paper here: Thesis Emergent Universe from Many Unreal World Interpretation
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and continuing this discussion!
Hinnerk Albert
Hi Hinnerk,
You've touched on a crucial aspect of quantum mechanics and its intersection with special relativity. The debate around wavefunction collapse and its implications in non-relativistic quantum mechanics versus quantum field theory is indeed significant.
In my recent publication, "Schrödinger Equation: Unfit for Fundamental Law",
Article Schrödinger Equation unfit for fundamental law
I present compelling evidence that the traditional wavefunction, as described by the Schrödinger equation, is fundamentally flawed when considered a fundamental law. This work suggests that the conventional interpretations of quantum mechanics may need a revolutionary reevaluation to align with relativistic principles.
My findings indicate that by rethinking the wavefunction's role and its interpretation, we can resolve apparent contradictions and better integrate quantum mechanics with relativistic frameworks. This approach could provide new insights into longstanding problems in physics and potentially transform our understanding of quantum mechanics.
I believe that my research offers a game-changing perspective that addresses the issues you've raised. I invite the global scientific community to delve into my findings, as they hold the potential to reshape fundamental physics. For those interested in exploring these ideas further, I encourage you to read my paper and engage in this transformative discussion.
With regards,
Sandeep Jaiswal
The collaose of the state function(wave funcion is a misname! See Dirac textbook!) is a metaphysical concept! It does not belong to the realm of physics!!!
State (wave) function is a mathematical construct. Nothing physical collapses at any physical speed.
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