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Quantum probabilities as Dempster-Shafer probabilities in the lattice of subspaces

Journal Article · · Journal of Mathematical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4891972· OSTI ID:22306083
 [1]
  1. Department of Computing, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP (United Kingdom)
The orthocomplemented modular lattice of subspaces L[H(d)], of a quantum system with d-dimensional Hilbert space H(d), is considered. A generalized additivity relation which holds for Kolmogorov probabilities is violated by quantum probabilities in the full lattice L[H(d)] (it is only valid within the Boolean subalgebras of L[H(d)]). This suggests the use of more general (than Kolmogorov) probability theories, and here the Dempster-Shafer probability theory is adopted. An operator D(H{sub 1},H{sub 2}), which quantifies deviations from Kolmogorov probability theory is introduced, and it is shown to be intimately related to the commutator of the projectors P(H{sub 1}),P(H{sub 2}), to the subspaces H{sub 1}, H{sub 2}. As an application, it is shown that the proof of the inequalities of Clauser, Horne, Shimony, and Holt for a system of two spin 1/2 particles is valid for Kolmogorov probabilities, but it is not valid for Dempster-Shafer probabilities. The violation of these inequalities in experiments supports the interpretation of quantum probabilities as Dempster-Shafer probabilities.
OSTI ID:
22306083
Journal Information:
Journal of Mathematical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Mathematical Physics Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 55; ISSN JMAPAQ; ISSN 0022-2488
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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