Philosophy of Physics Seminar

Abstract: In Non-Relativistic Quantum Mechanics (NRQM) with Quantum Measurement Theory, selective measurement operations appear to have superluminal effects. Since non-relativistic theories do not prohibit superluminal physical influence, a natural response is to shift the analysis to QFT. A well-known obstacle to this strategy is the Reeh-Schlieder theorem for QFT, which appears to show that “by acting on the vacuum with suitable operations in a terrestrial laboratory, an experimenter can create the Taj Mahal on (or even behind) the Moon!” (Verch 2006). However, the standard analysis of the Reeh-Schlieder theorem relies on Quantum Measurement Theory for NRQM. We argue that, when a local measurement theory for QFT is applied instead, the Reeh-Schlieder theorem does not imply that superluminal physical influence is possible. Moreover, this is a consequence of relativistic physics that does not rely on a particular interpretation of quantum theory (e.g., some variant of the Everett interpretation or a neo-Bohrian interpretation).

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_{Philosophy of Physics Seminar Convenor: Chris Timpson  | Philosophy of Physics Group Website}