Measurements are the only reality, say quantum tests
Hamlet would run a few lines short in a quantum-mechanical theater, where {open_quotes}to be or not to be{close_quotes} is not the question at all. The usual interpretation of quantum mechanics holds that a physical quantity-such as an electron`s position or a photon`s polarization direction-has no reality, or {open_quotes}being,{close_quotes} until an experimenter measures its value. {open_quotes}To measure or not to measure,{close_quotes} that is the question. Einstein insisted that unmeasure quantities must exist in some definite state, even though we might not know what the state is. Two new experiments are coming closer that ever to showing that Quantum `reality` is every bit as bizarre as Einstine feared. This article describes the two experiments. One shows that if the polarizations have any reality apart from the properties that are directly measured, the observed correlations imply yet another correlation that is ever observed. The other demonstrates the strongest violation of local realism ever in mathematical terms. Also discussed in the article is the background and development of the experiments and the future possibilities.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 181837
- Journal Information:
- Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 5241 Vol. 270; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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