Retrocausality and quantum mechanics
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Author(s)
Pegg, David Thomas
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2008
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Show full item recordAbstract
The results of experiments in quantum mechanics can be predicted correctly either by assigning a forward-evolving state to the system based on the preparationoutcome or by assigning a state that evolves backwards in time based on the measurement outcome. The latter picture admits some retrocausality without allowingmessages to be sent at a faster speed than that of light. This retrocausality allows some standard quantum paradoxes to be examined from a different viewpoint. It also allows closed causal cycles to be examined in the context of laboratory experiments. For a particular experiment, we find agreement with the ...
View more >The results of experiments in quantum mechanics can be predicted correctly either by assigning a forward-evolving state to the system based on the preparationoutcome or by assigning a state that evolves backwards in time based on the measurement outcome. The latter picture admits some retrocausality without allowingmessages to be sent at a faster speed than that of light. This retrocausality allows some standard quantum paradoxes to be examined from a different viewpoint. It also allows closed causal cycles to be examined in the context of laboratory experiments. For a particular experiment, we find agreement with the principle that inconsistent causal loopshave zero probability of occurring, that is, only self-consistent loops can occur.
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View more >The results of experiments in quantum mechanics can be predicted correctly either by assigning a forward-evolving state to the system based on the preparationoutcome or by assigning a state that evolves backwards in time based on the measurement outcome. The latter picture admits some retrocausality without allowingmessages to be sent at a faster speed than that of light. This retrocausality allows some standard quantum paradoxes to be examined from a different viewpoint. It also allows closed causal cycles to be examined in the context of laboratory experiments. For a particular experiment, we find agreement with the principle that inconsistent causal loopshave zero probability of occurring, that is, only self-consistent loops can occur.
View less >
Journal Title
Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics
Volume
39
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© 2008 Elsevier. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Historical studies
History and philosophy of specific fields
Philosophy