A system's wave function is uniquely determined by its underlying physical state
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Date
2017-01
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
We address the question of whether the quantum-mechanical wave function Ψ of a system is uniquely determined by any complete description Λ of the system's physical state. We show that this is the case if the latter satisfies a notion of 'free choice'. This notion requires that certain experimental parameters—those that according to quantum theory can be chosen independently of other variables—retain this property in the presence of Λ. An implication of this result is that, among all possible descriptions Λ of a system's state compatible with free choice, the wave function ${\rm{\Psi }}$ is as objective as Λ.
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published
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Journal / series
Volume
19
Pages / Article No.
13016
Publisher
IOP Publishing
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Subject
Foundations of quantum theory; Meaning of the wave function; Non-locality
Organisational unit
03781 - Renner, Renato / Renner, Renato
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Is referenced by: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000257508