Skip to main content
Log in

A global equilibrium as the foundation of quantum randomness

  • Part IV. Invited Papers Dedicated To Asim Orhan Barut
  • Published:
Foundations of Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We analyze the origin of quantum randomness within the framework of a completely deterministic theory of particle motion—Bohmian mechanics. We show that a universe governed by this mechanics evolves in such a way as to give rise to the appearance of randomness, with empirical distributions in agreement with the predictions of the quantum formalism. Crucial ingredients in our analysis are the concept of the effective wave function of a subsystem and that of a random system. The latter is a notion of interest in its own right and is relevant to any discussion of the role of probability in a deterministic universe.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. S. Bell, “Beables for quantum field theory,” CERN-TH 4035/84, reprinted in Ref. 2.

  2. J. S. Bell,Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1987).

    Google Scholar 

  3. J. S. Bell, “Against measurement,”Physics World 3, 33–40 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  4. K. Berndl, Dotoral Thesis, Universität München, in preparation.

  5. D. Bohm, “A suggested interpretation of the quantum theory in terms of ‘hidden variables’,”Phys. Rev. 85, 166–193 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  6. D. Bohm, B. J. Hiley, and P. N. Kaloyerou, “An ontological basis for quantum theory. II A causal interpretation of quantum fields,”Phys. Rep. 144, 349–375 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  7. D. Dürr, S. Goldstein, and N. Zanghí, “Quantum equilibrium and the origin of absolute uncertainty,”J. Stat. Phys. 67, 843–907 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  8. D. Dürr, S. Goldstein, and N. Zanghí, “On a realistic theory for quantum physics,” inStochastic Processes, Geometry and Physics, S. Albeverio, G. Casati, U. Cattaneo, D. Merlini, and R. Mortesi, eds. (World Scientific, Singapore, 1990), pp. 374–391.

    Google Scholar 

  9. M. Daumer, D. Dürr, S. Goldstein, and N. Zanghí, “On the role of operators in quantum theory,” in preparation.

  10. H. Everett, “‘Relative state’ formulation of quantum mechanics,”Rev. Mod. Phys. 29, 454–462 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  11. M. Gell-Mann and J. B. Hartle, “Quantum mechanics in the light of quantum cosmology,” inComplexity, Entropy, and the Physics of Information, W. Zurek, ed. (Adison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts, 1990), pp. 425–458.

    Google Scholar 

  12. G. C. Ghirardi, A. Rimini, and T. Weber, Unified dynamics for microscopic and macroscopic systems,”Phys. Rev. D 34, 470–491 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  13. W. Heisenberg,Physics and Beyond (Harper & Row, New York, 1971), p. 63.

    Google Scholar 

  14. N. S. Krylov,Works on the Foundations of Statistical Mechanics (Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1979).

    Google Scholar 

  15. R. Penrose,The Emperor's New Mind (Oxford University Press, New York, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Research supported in part by NSF Grant DMS-9105661.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dürr, D., Goldstein, S. & Zanghí, N. A global equilibrium as the foundation of quantum randomness. Found Phys 23, 721–738 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01883806

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01883806

Keywords

Navigation