Click here to view fulltext PDF

Permanent link:
https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/pram/065/03/0359-0379

Quantum correlation functions; conservation laws; Bell’s inequality; entanglement; quantum entropy; nonlocality

I discuss in detail the result that the Bell’s inequalities derived in the context of local hidden variable theories for discrete quantized observables can be satisfied only if a fundamental conservation law is violated on the average. This result shows that such theories are physically nonviable, and makes the demarcating criteria of the Bell’s inequalities redundant. I show that a unique correlation function can be derived from the validity of the conservation law alone and this coincides with the quantum mechanical correlation function. Thus, any theory with a different correlation function, like any local hidden variable theory, is incompatible with the fundamental conservation laws and space-time symmetries. The results are discussed in the context of two-particle singlet and triplet states, GHZ states, and two-particle double slit interferometry. Some observations on quantum entropy, entanglement, and nonlocality are also discussed.

C S Unnikrishnan¹

1. Gravitation Group, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai - 400 005, India

Published

September 2005

Manuscript received

14 February 2005

Manuscript revised

31 March 2005

Accepted

23 May 2005