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Copenhagen vs Everett, Teleportation, and ER=EPR (1604.02589v2)

Published 9 Apr 2016 in hep-th, gr-qc, and quant-ph

Abstract: Quantum gravity may have as much to tell us about the foundations and interpretation of quantum mechanics as it does about gravity. The Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics and Everett's Relative State Formulation are complementary descriptions which in a sense are dual to one another. My purpose here is to discuss this duality in the light of the of ER=EPR conjecture.

Citations (78)

Summary

  • The paper presents a novel analysis of quantum interpretations, arguing that ER=EPR could unify quantum entanglement with wormhole geometry.
  • It employs the Wigner’s Friend thought experiment and introduces the GHZ-brane concept to illustrate complex entanglement dynamics.
  • The analysis suggests breakthroughs for quantum computing, secure information transfer, and cosmology by linking quantum effects to gravitational phenomena.

Analysis of "Copenhagen vs Everett, Teleportation, and ER=EPR"

The paper "Copenhagen vs Everett, Teleportation, and ER=EPR" by Leonard Susskind presents an insightful exploration of quantum mechanics through the lens of quantum gravity, specifically analyzing the potential implications of the ER=EPR conjecture. This work addresses how different interpretations of quantum mechanics could gain new depth and how quantum gravity might align with or inform these frameworks.

Key Concepts and Arguments

The core of the discussion revolves around two major themes: the Copenhagen and Everett interpretations of quantum mechanics and the emergent concept of ER=EPR, which posits that non-local entanglement (EPR) might be equivalent to Einstein-Rosen bridges (ER or wormholes). The paper provides an in-depth examination of these interpretations and sheds light on how ER=EPR could provide a more profound understanding of quantum mechanics.

  1. Copenhagen vs. Everett:
    • The Copenhagen interpretation posits that quantum mechanics requires a single external observer, collapsing wave functions through measurement. It restricts itself to a practical framework for handling predictions in quantum systems and is inherently irreversible.
    • Conversely, Everett's Relative State Formulation refrains from wave function collapse, treating the universe as a singular, unitary system where entangled subsystems maintain coherence. This interpretation suggests that the universe is an intricate network of entangled subsystems.
  2. Wigner's Friend Thought Experiment:
    • Utilizing the Wigner’s Friend scenario, Susskind illustrates the entanglement complexity that arises in observations, highlighting how different interpretations handle entanglements differently.
    • The analysis explores the notion of entangled states and possible GHZ (Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger) brane formations within wormholes, pointing out unresolved elements and proposing new entities like the GHZ-brane which might bridge differing quantum views.
  3. ER=EPR Conjecture:
    • The paper argues the ER=EPR conjecture possibly illustrates a duality between general relativity’s non-locality (wormholes) and quantum entanglement (EPR correlations). It suggests that entanglement in quantum mechanics could manifest geometrically in the form of wormholes, thereby unifying two seemingly disparate phenomena.
    • Emphasizing this conjecture’s implications, it discusses practical and theoretical aspects, such as the ability to visualize entanglement in terms of ERBs and how teleportation protocols via wormholes could underscore this duality.
  4. Quantum Teleportation and Detanglement:
    • Susskind elaborates on teleportation through Einstein-Rosen bridges as a resource, depicting a process whereby information is transferred securely without compromise by utilizing entangled ERBs.
    • Moreover, the paper contemplates the interaction between classical and quantum teleportation theories, with potential experiments validating the conjecture’s claims.

Implications and Speculations for Future Research

The implications of this work are manifold:

  • Theoretical Advancement: If verified, the ER=EPR conjecture would demand a revision of foundational concepts in quantum mechanics and gravity, suggesting that rather than distinct, they are intimately related.
  • Quantum Computing and Information Transfer: By harnessing the ER=EPR relationship, we can envisage advanced quantum computing protocols and secure communication methodologies robust against interception.
  • Cosmology and Fundamental Physics: Understanding wormhole dynamics through the lens of entanglement physics could offer new insights into cosmic phenomena and the unification of physical forces.

Susskind’s work prompts further inquiry into the feasibility of ER=EPR, challenging traditional boundaries between quantum mechanics and relativity. Future research might explore the geometrical manifestations of quantum states, conduct empirical testing of conjectures like ER=EPR, and extend these ideas to broader cosmological models.

This paper is a significant theoretical contribution, emphasizing the continued convergence of quantum mechanics and general relativity as potentially unifying elements in physics.

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