Action Duality: A Constructive Principle for Quantum Foundations

          @misc{ pirsa_10120061,
            doi = {10.48660/10120061},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/10120061},
            author = {Wharton, Kenneth},
            keywords = {Quantum Foundations},
            language = {en},
            title = {Action Duality: A Constructive Principle for Quantum Foundations},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2010},
            month = {dec},
            note = {PIRSA:10120061 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }
          

Abstract

Ken Wharton An analysis of the path-integral approach to quantum theory motivates the hypothesis that two experiments with the same classical action should have dual ontological descriptions. If correct, this hypothesis would not only constrain realistic interpretations of quantum theory, but would also act as a constructive principle, allowing any realistic model of one experiment to generate a corresponding model for its action-dual. Two pairs of action-dual experiments will be presented, including one experiment that violates the Bell inequality and yet is action-dual to a single particle. Demanding a consistent, realistic ontology leads to a highly restricted parameter space of possible interpretations.