Uploaded July 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Relativistic quantum field theory confronts us with interesting conceptual issues that are alien to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. This should not blind us to the fact that it inherits the central conceptual problem of quantum mechanics. In both domains we have a well-understood recipe for associating quantum states with preparation procedures and for calculating probabilities of experimental results, yet no consensus on what, if anything, needs to be added to this operational core to yield an account of the physical world. One avenue of approach is the dynamical collapse programme, which seeks to modify the usual, unitary dynamics of the theory to produce something like the textbook collapse postulate as a physical process.
In this talk I will present a no-go theorem that demonstrates that the most straightforward approach to constructing a theory of this sort doesn’t work (based on Phys. Rev. A 96 062116, 2017). Any viable collapse theory will, therefore, have to violate one or more of the conditions assumed in the theorem. I will discuss prospects for theories that reject one or more of these conditions.
Foundations of Quantum Field Theory: 2019 Annual Philosophy of Physics Conference
June 12 - 14, 2019
Wayne Myrvold, University of Western Ontario
Visit the Rotman website for more information on applications, events, project descriptions, and openings. rotman.uwo.ca
Follow The Rotman Institute on Twitter: twitter.com/rotmanphilo
Like The Rotman Institute on Facebook: facebook.com/rotmanphilosophy
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/user/rotmanphilosophy
Relativistic quantum field theory confronts us with interesting conceptual issues that are alien to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. This should not blind us to the fact that it inherits the central conceptual problem of quantum mechanics. In both domains we have a well-understood recipe for associating quantum states with preparation procedures and for calculating probabilities of experimental results, yet no consensus on what, if anything, needs to be added to this operational core to yield an account of the physical world. One avenue of approach is the dynamical collapse programme, which seeks to modify the usual, unitary dynamics of the theory to produce something like the textbook collapse postulate as a physical process.
In this talk I will present a no-go theorem that demonstrates that the most straightforward approach to constructing a theory of this sort doesn’t work (based on Phys. Rev. A 96 062116, 2017). Any viable collapse theory will, therefore, have to violate one or more of the conditions assumed in the theorem. I will discuss prospects for theories that reject one or more of these conditions.
Foundations of Quantum Field Theory: 2019 Annual Philosophy of Physics Conference
June 12 - 14, 2019
Wayne Myrvold, University of Western Ontario
Visit the Rotman website for more information on applications, events, project descriptions, and openings. rotman.uwo.ca
Follow The Rotman Institute on Twitter: twitter.com/rotmanphilo
Like The Rotman Institute on Facebook: facebook.com/rotmanphilosophy
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/user/rotmanphilosophy
