TITLE:
Zeno of Elea Shines a New Light on Quantum Weirdness
AUTHORS:
María Esther Burgos
KEYWORDS:
Quantum Weirdness, Quantum Measurements, Spontaneous Quantum Jumps, Time Dependent Perturbation Theory, Quantum Zeno Paradox
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Modern Physics,
Vol.8 No.8,
July
21,
2017
ABSTRACT: After a brief reference to the quantum Zeno effect, a quantum Zeno paradox is formulated. Our starting point is the usual version of Time Dependent Perturbation Theory. Although this theory is supposed to account for transitions between stationary states, we are led to conclude that such transitions cannot occur. Paraphrasing Zeno, they are nothing but illusions. Two solutions to the paradox are introduced. The first as a straightforward application of the postulates of Orthodox Quantum Mechanics; the other is derived from a Spontaneous Projection Approach to quantum mechanics previously formulated. Similarities and differences between both solutions are highlighted. A comparison between the two versions of quantum mechanics, supporting their corresponding solutions to the paradox, shines a new light on quantum weirdness. It is shown, in particular, that the solution obtained in the framework of Orthodox Quantum Mechanics is defective.