Skip to main content
Log in

On Fine's Resolution of the EPR-Bell Problem

  • Published:
Foundations of Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide an introduction to Fine's interpretation of quantum mechanics and to show how it can solve the EPR-Bell problem. In the real spin-correlation experiments the detection/emission inefficiency is usually ascribed to independent random detection errors, and treated by the “enhancement hypothesis.” In Fine's interpretation the detection inefficiency is an effect not only of the random errors in the analyzer + detector equipment, but is also the manifestation of a pre-settled (hidden) property of the particles. I present one of Fine's 2×2 prism models for the EPR experiment and compare it with the recent experimental results. In the second part of the paper I prove the existence of a wide class of n×n prism models with reasonable detection/emission efficiencies, satisfying the usually required symmetries. Contrary to the common persuasion, the efficiencies in these models do not necessarily tend to zero if n→∞.

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.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. A. Fine, “Some local models for correlation experiments,” Synthese 50, 279 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  2. G. Weihs, T. Jennewin, C. Simon, H. Weinfurter, and A. Zeilinger, “Violation of Bell's inequality under strict Einstein locality conditions,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 5039 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  3. A. Fine, “Inequalities for nonideal correlation experiments,” Found. Phys. 21, 365 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  4. B. C. van Frassen, “The charybdis of realism: Epistemological implications of Bell's Inequality,” in Philosophical Consequences of Quantum Theory—Reflections on Bell's Theorem, J. T. Cushing and E. McMullin, eds. (University of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  6. A. Fine, “Correlations and efficiency: Testing Bell inequalities,” Found. Phys. 19, 453 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  7. W. D. Sharp and N. Shank, “Fine's prism models for quantum correlation statistics,” Phil. Sci. 52, 538 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  8. T. Maudlin, Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity—Metaphysical Intimations of Modern Physics, Aristotelian Society Series, Vol. 13 (Blackwell, Oxford, 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  9. I. Pitowsky, Quantum Probability—Quantum Logic (Lecture Notes in Physics, Vol. 321) (Springer, Berlin, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  10. M. Redhead, Incompleteness, Nonlocality and Realism (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Szabó, L.E. On Fine's Resolution of the EPR-Bell Problem. Foundations of Physics 30, 1891–1909 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003710421881

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003710421881

Keywords

Navigation