Quantum Theory vs Macroscopic Realism

 


Quantum theory allows for an object to be in two different states at the same time. This is described as a super position state, which combines different observable states. But could this really be true? Or could the particle be in a very specific state, at a very specific location and we just can’t observe it? 

The behavior of quantum objects has been discussed using a very simple classical theory. In 1985, the “Leggett-Garg Inequality” was first introduced as a way to measure quantum behavior. It states, in effect, any theory that describes particle behavior without the superposition states in quantum theory must  obey the Leggett-Garg inequality. 

 The inequality is fulfilled by all macrorealistic physical theories.  

 macroscopic realism is a classical world view  defined by the joining of these two hypotheses. 

  1. "A macroscopic object, which has available to it two or more macroscopically distinct states, is at any given time in a definite one of those states."
  2. Noninvasive measurability: "It is possible in principle to determine which of these states the system is in without any effect on the state itself, or on the subsequent system dynamics." Wikipedia. 

For the first time, researchers at TU Wien are testing measurements with neutrons. Under observation, the Leggett-Gary inequality is violated and classical explanations and theories are not possible- only quantum theory fits! These findings were recently published in Physical Review Letters. 

Quantum theory violates macroscopic realism. If different sites are attainable for a quantum particle, like different positions, speed or energy, then all combinations of the states is also possible.  As long as the state is not measured. (During measurements, all super positioning is lost and destroyed.) The measurement forces each particle to make a decision in favor of one of the possible values. 

The rules of quantum theory should apply to everything. Large things are made up of smaller quantum particles. So is it attainable to observe large objects with what we know about macroscopic realism?  In 1985, macroscopic reality was tested with this Leggett-Garg inequality.

 Elisabeth Kreuzgeuber is the author of the current research and states, “the idea behind it is similar to the more famous Bell’s inequality, for which the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded in 2022. . . However, Bell’s inequality is about the question of how strong the behavior of a particle is … The Leggett-Gary inequality is only about one simple object and asks the question: how it’s state at specific points in time related to the state of the same object at other specific points in time?”

Leggett-Garg figured an object measured three times should show completely different results each time. Even if nothing is known about whether or how the object’s states changes  over time, statistics will point strongly to how different points in time correlate with each other. 

Assuming microscopic realism Is correct, it can be shown mathematically - the strength of these relationships can never exceed a certain level. 

Leggett and Garg theorized an inequality must always be true to the macroscopic realism theory, regardless of details. 

If an object sticks to the rules of quantum theory, there must be stronger correlation between the measurements at three different points in time.And 

If An object is in different states of the same measurement, this must lead the stronger relationship relationships between the three measurements. 

Researcher Richard Wagner explains, “ If we want to test microscopic realism, then we need an object that is microscopic in a certain sense i.e. it has a Size comparable to the size of our every day objects.”  It must be an object that has a chance of showing these unique quantum properties. 

The experiment was conducted at the Institut Lave-Langevin by researcher Hartmut Lemmel.  He states “ Neutron beams as we use them in a neutron interferometer are Perfect for measuring quantum behavior. The neutron beam is actually split into two parallel beams. . .”

 Using complex measurements of the neutron, the team at TU Wien Tested the Leggett-Garg inexpensive theory. The results showed the inequality is violated. 

The neutrons act in a way that cannot be explained using macroscopic realism  theory. Neutrons travel on two separate paths at the same time and they are located at two different places, just centimeters apart. 

One researcher Stephan Sponar surmises, “Our Experiment shows: Nature really is as strange as quantum theory claims… No matter which classical  macroscopic theory you come up with, It will never be able to explain reality. It just doesn’t work with quantum physics.” 

Hugs,

Krissy 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mike Giradi from Stereotimes commentary on Holostage Room Treatments

I have been  friends with Mike Giradi for a few years and he has helped me test numerous designs .    I was so honored a few weeks ago when he agreed to give these Holostages a few words.  From. Mike G. The sound was a little closed in at first, but then it really opened up to prove it is another great audio product. The noise floor is greatly reduced. I am hearing details I've never heard before. When it's in the recording, the soundstage widens in all directions. The timbre of each instrument is spot on. The six Holostages installed in my room aided in the C13 alignment of air molecules to a far greater extent than the Bybee IQSE devices I had previously been using. Every instrument had greater depth, pop and presence. Listening to classical music on movie soundtracks is incredible now. The Holostages installed on my BACCH4MAC and monoblocks was the answer to what was needed. The noise floor dropped significantly in both cases resulting in greater clarity and music...
Read more

Queen Bee 🐝

Image
  Bees hide an interesting secret. When the hive loses its queen, who alone is able to give life to the colony and maintain order in a perfectly organized society, all seems lost. The life of the hive slows down. Without new eggs, the future is lost. In a few weeks, the colony may be doomed. But the bees do not panic. Nor do they expect salvation from outside. Demonstrating extraordinary collective intelligence and profound instincts, they trigger spectacular emergency procedures, almost unimaginable in a world dominated by insects. --- ◆ The transformation begins with a simple but essential choice The worker bees choose common larvae - those who would normally be mere workers. They are nothing special. They are not born different. But their fate changes completely. They are chosen to receive a special food: royal jelly. A rare substance, produced by healthy bees, rich in proteins, vitamins and bioactive compounds. This is royal food in the purest sense of the word. The larvae fed ...
Read more

Novel Acoustic Wave Discovered

Image
  A new diffraction phenomenon was researched and published on January 14, 2025. The team was led by Tohoku University with collaboration from the Japan atomic energy agency and the RIKEN Center for emergent matter science. Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are elastic vibrations. They travel along the surface of materials, not unlike ripples on a pond. SAWs are an important part of frequency filters used in every day devices like our cell phones. These devices change electrical signals in vibrations, or ripples. This occurs because of the piezoelectric  effect and it enables efficient signal processing. During this experiment, the team created a periodic array of magnetic nanoscale materials. The magnetic array is a sort of specialized grating that the waves passed through. The scientists were surprised. Instead of the usual symmetric defraction, the team saw something different. They observed a completely new, asymmetrical diffraction of SAWs called ‘non-reciprocal defraction’....
Read more