Grounding Bohmian mechanics in weak values and bayesianism

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Wiseman, HM
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Eberhard Bodenschatz

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2007
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Abstract

Bohmian mechanics (BM) is a popular interpretation of quantum mechanics in which particles have real positions. The velocity of a point x in configuration space is defined as the standard probability current j(x) divided by the probability density P(x). However, this ``standard'' j is in fact only one of infinitely many that transform correctly and satisfy /dot P + /del . j=0. In this article I show that there is a unique j that can be determined experimentally as a weak value using techniques that would make sense to a classical physicist. Moreover, this operationally defined j equals the standard j, so, assuming /dot x = j/P, the possible Bohmian paths can also be determined experimentally from a large enough ensemble. Furthermore, this approach to deriving BM singles out x as the hidden variable, because (for example) the operationally defined momentum current is in general incompatible with the evolution of the momentum distribution. Finally I discuss how, in this setting, the usual quantum probabilities can be derived from a Bayesian standpoint, via the principle of indifference.

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New Journal of Physics

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9

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© 2007 Institute of Physics Publishing. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.

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Physical sciences

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