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Abstract


Atomic Cascade Experiments With Two-Channel Polarizers and Quantum Mechanical Nonlocality

M. Ardehali
Year: 1994
Keywords: atomic cascade, two-channel polarizers, photons, quantum mechanics, nonlocality, wave function

In 1935, Einstein, Podolsky, Rosen (EPR) used their famous criteria of realism and locality to conclude that the wave function does not provide a complete description of physical reality. Their argument (adapted to Bohm's gedanken experiment for a pair of photons in the singlet state) is based on the following three premises:

1 - Quantum mechanical (QM) perfect correlations: If the polarization of photons 1 and 2 are measured along the same axis, then the outcomes are perfectly (anti) correlated.

2- EPR's criterion of realism: "If without in any way disturbing a system, we can predict with certainty (i.e., with probability equal to unity) the value of a physical quantity, then there exists an element of physical reality corresponding to this physical quantity."

3 - Einstein's locality: "But on one supposition, we should, in my opinion absolutely hold fast: The real factual situation of the system S2 is independent of what is done with the system S1 which is spatially separated from the former."