PIRSA:11020124

Quantum Mechanics with Extended Probabilities

Hartle, J. (2011). Quantum Mechanics with Extended Probabilities. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/11020124

Hartle, James. Quantum Mechanics with Extended Probabilities. Perimeter Institute, Mar. 07, 2011, https://pirsa.org/11020124 

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:11020124,
            doi = {10.48660/11020124},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/11020124},
            author = {Hartle, James},
            keywords = {Quantum Foundations},
            language = {en},
            title = {Quantum Mechanics with Extended Probabilities},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2011},
            month = {mar},
            note = {PIRSA:11020124 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }

James Hartle University of California, Santa Barbara

DOI 10.48660/11020124
Collection
Talk Type Scientific Series
Subject

Abstract

We present a new formulation of quantum mechanics for closed systems like the universe using an extension of familiar probability theory that incorporates negative probabilities. Probabilities must be positive for alternative histories that are the basis of settleable bets. However, quantum mechanics describes alternative histories are not the basis for settleable bets as in the two-slit experiment. These alternatives can be assigned extended probabilities that are sometimes negative. We will compare this with the decoherent (consistent) histories formulation of quantum theory. The prospects for using this formulation as a starting point for testable alternatives to quantum theory or further generalizations of it will be briefly discussed.