Draft:Measurement-equilibration hypothesis

• Comment: Wikipedia has articles on topics which are established. While this seems interesting, as the text says it is new and as yet unproven. It is therefore too soon for it to be in Wikipedia, see WP:TOOSOON for details. It would also need significantly wider coverage and proof. It will be a few years before an article would become reasonable, sorry. Ldm1954 (talk) 05:51, 8 February 2024 (UTC)

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Measurement-Equilibration Hypothesis (MEH) is a theoretical framework in quantum mechanics proposed to address the long-standing measurement problem. This hypothesis suggests that quantum measurements and the emergence of classical reality can be understood through the lens of thermodynamics, specifically through the natural tendency of closed systems to maximize entropy.

Overview

Traditional quantum mechanics describes two fundamental types of dynamics: reversible unitary evolution according to the Schrödinger equation, and irreversible wave function collapse upon measurement. The latter, which leads to definite outcomes from quantum superpositions, has historically been at odds with the conservation principles of classical physics, including those of thermodynamics.

The Measurement-Equilibration Hypothesis posits that the process of quantum measurement does not require a distinct, non-unitary collapse mechanism but can be explained within a purely unitary, quantum mechanical framework. According to MEH, the interaction between a quantum system and its environment, including the measuring apparatus, drives the system towards a state of maximum entropy. This process of equilibration, adhering to thermodynamic laws, results in the emergence of classical, objective properties from quantum superpositions without the need for postulating wave function collapse.

Key Concepts

Quantum Thermodynamics: MEH is grounded in the principles of quantum thermodynamics, which extends classical thermodynamics to include quantum phenomena, especially at the microscopic scale.

Entropy Maximization: Central to MEH is the idea that the entropy of a closed quantum system, encompassing the system under observation and its environment, tends to maximize over time, leading to equilibration.

Equilibration: Unlike traditional views of quantum measurements that involve wave function collapse, MEH describes measurement as a process where the system equilibrates with its environment. This equilibration on average allows for the system to appear in a classical state without the need for collapse.

Research and Development

The hypothesis was first formalized by Emanuel Schwarzhans, Felix C. Binder, Marcus Huber, and Maximilian P. E. Lock. Their work laid the foundation for understanding quantum measurements through the lens of entropy and equilibration, challenging the traditional wave function collapse narrative.

Future research aims to empirically validate MEH through laboratory experiments, by observing the measurement process and its potential reversibility in small systems. This approach seeks to demonstrate that as the system expands, the likelihood of reversing the measurement diminishes, offering a promising avenue for substantiating MEH's theoretical claims.

Implications

If verified experimentally, the Measurement-Equilibration Hypothesis has significant implications for the foundational understanding of quantum mechanics. It offers a thermodynamically consistent approach to the measurement problem, suggesting that classical reality emerges naturally from quantum mechanics under the principles of thermodynamics. This approach also aligns with the concept of Quantum Darwinism, which describes how quantum information becomes classical by spreading and "replicating" in the environment.