Questions tagged [born-rule]
The Born rule is a rule in Quantum Mechanics that states that the probability density $\rho$ is $|\psi|^2$ where $\psi$ is the probability amplitude.
123
questions
-2
votes
0answers
37 views
Probability Measurement in Quantum Mechanics
In Sakurai's book it is given that,
The state ket for an arbitrary physical state can be expanded in terms of $|x'\rangle$
In practice, the best the detector can do is to locate the ...
2
votes
2answers
73 views
QM probability density function without Born's rule, invariant to wave-function phase
The QM probability density as a function of the wave function is given by Born's rule as a postulate. This leads to the probability density being invariant to the phase of the wave function.
Suppose ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Probabilities in Quantum Mechanics: Measurement Outcomes or More?
In all treatments of quantum mechanics, the probabilistic nature of the theory enters via the Born rule for the statistical properties of the measurement outcomes of some observable. In short, this ...
0
votes
2answers
84 views
What is difference in Dirac Notation for probability and Probability Density in Quantum Mechanics? [closed]
The Dirac Notation for wave function
$$\langle\psi|\psi\rangle= \int_{-\infty}^\infty \psi^{*}\psi \,dx $$
$$\text{Probability} = \int_{-\infty}^\infty \psi^{*}\psi \,dx $$
But most often it is ...
-3
votes
2answers
51 views
Understanding wave function graph
I found this graph from the internet that interprets the graphical representation of wave function.I completely understand the wave function that is depicted by blue line but i really am confused ...
0
votes
1answer
106 views
How much can a wave function tell us?
We can not predict the future by getting the velocity and position of particles since it’s not possible to get both of these together due to the uncertainty principle. But, according to Hawking’s book ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Question about a point in Srednicki's QFT book
On page 6, Sredniciki says (taking into account the erratum), that the "simplest possibility is for Alice and Bob to agree on the value of the wave function at a particular space-time point". This ...
1
vote
1answer
90 views
Bohr's Correspondence Principle and the Born Rule
Bohr's correspondence principle and the Born rule are related right?
The correspondence principle states that the behavior of systems described by the theory of quantum mechanics reproduces classical ...
1
vote
0answers
36 views
In the pilot-wave theory, is the quantum potential moving electrons randomly inside atoms?
As we know, in the pilot-wave theory (Bohmian mechanics), particles are guided on certain trajectories by the wavefunction. Here (In Bohmian mechanics, do electrons move inside an atom?) I asked about ...
-1
votes
1answer
63 views
What is Wave Function? [duplicate]
Well, what is the meaning of wave function? What does it represent? In Schrodinger's equation, we find the value of Ψ. But what is Ψ exactly? Max Born only gave an explanation of what $Ψ^2$ (the ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Does the electron act as point charge in scattering theory?
We know that an electron behaves like a point charge, and the probability density of its position is given by the Born rule. Now suppose that we shoot an electron toward an atom, so the electron gets ...
6
votes
1answer
471 views
Is the Born rule indeed wrong?
This is a question about the validity of a preprint, arXiv:quant-ph/0509089, which claims that the "Copenhagen Interpretation of QM is incorrect" (same title, authored by Guang-Liang Li and Victor O.K....
0
votes
2answers
72 views
Does the Central Limit Theorem hold for position measurements?
A friend asked me recently if the Central Limit Theorem holds for quantum systems: i.e., if the distribution of measurements (e.g., of position) for any wavefunction would prove approximately normal, ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
How to understand the kernel as a transition amplitude?
Consider the time evolution operator $U(t_f, t_i)$ that controls the evolution of a wave function according to $|\psi(t_f \rangle = U(t_f, t_i) | \psi(t_i) \rangle$.
As I understand it, the Born ...
3
votes
1answer
61 views
How to evaluate the probability when a particle is detected?
Everyone knows the standard probability interpretation of the quantum mechanics. For example, the wave function of some particle at some time $t$ is $\psi (x,t)$. Therefore, if the particle is ...
-1
votes
1answer
39 views
Dependence of wave function with time, especially probability density function. And Continuity equation
I was learning Basic Quantum mechanics. I cam across the fluid equation in QM, which suggests $\Psi^*\Psi$ is probability density function.
Consider the two statements below
Probability will change ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Does the wavefunction probabilities have to sum to 1? [duplicate]
In quantum mechanics we are often told that $\int |\psi(x,t)|^2 dx^3 =1$.
i.e. the probabilities have to sum to 1. And that this implies the time evolution operator is unitary.
But can't we define ...
4
votes
3answers
193 views
Normalisation of quantum states: why?
We all learn that quantum states need to be normalized, as they are associated to probabilities which needs to sum up to one. However, I would like to know whether you have other valid reasons to ...
2
votes
1answer
93 views
Intuitive understanding of a wave function
Looks like wave function is an abstract mathematical object. I was trying to see if there is a simple way to visualize this. Can someone please help with that? I was thinking may be we can think that ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Small psi in the time-independent Schrödinger equation
I'm a total beginner in quantum mechanics, and I am learning about time-independent Schrödinger equation. we separate the wave function into two functions $$\Psi(x, t) = \psi(x)\phi(t).$$ Does the ...
0
votes
1answer
682 views
Probability of finding a particle in space [closed]
Given a particle whose wave function is square integrable, what is the probability of finding that particle somewhere in space?
1
vote
0answers
106 views
Can the many worlds interpretation use the Born rule for decoherence? [closed]
If the Many-Worlds Interpretation cannot derive the Born rule does it need mind body dualism to make sense of probabilities?
I asked a different question here regarding MWI and circularity. But here'...
2
votes
0answers
88 views
Is there an official list of the postulates of quantum mechanics?
Having been looking at lecture notes, online sources and books, the list of postulates of quantum mechanics seems to vary. For instance, some sources (my lecture notes, for instance) refer to $|\...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
Is the energy of a vibrating string the classical analog to Born's rule?
Consider this Phys.SE question which spells out the energy of a vibrating string as a variant of Hooke's law, and thereby explains why it's proportional to the square of the amplitude (here: the ...
3
votes
1answer
202 views
Two Time Correlation function calculated from Born rule
Update Below
I'm having a hard time reconciling two different calculations of the quantum two time correlation function. Consider quantum operator $A$ with eigenvectors $\{|\phi_i\rangle\}$ and ...
1
vote
1answer
69 views
A textbook's reading of the Born Interpretation
A textbook states the following:
$P(x, t) \ dx $ is the probability that a measurement of the position of the particle
described by $\Psi (x, t)$, at time $ t$, will find it in the region $(x, x +...
1
vote
2answers
73 views
I've read that $\langle a | b\rangle$ is a probability amplitude but $\langle a | a\rangle$ is a probability. Why the inconsistency?
I'm studying elementary quantum mechanics, and I've read that $\langle a \vert b \rangle$ is the probability amplitude of a transition from state $a$ to state $b$. Thus, $|\langle a | b \rangle|^2$ ...
-2
votes
1answer
292 views
Does a wave function never reach zero probability density?
$$ψ=e^{iκx}$$
Since the wave function is an exponential equation, is there no point with zero probability density of finding a given particle? Does that justify quantum tunneling?
0
votes
2answers
149 views
Finding amplitude of probability
The mathematical structure of quantum mechanics, follows almost inevitably from the concept of a probability amplitude. For James Binney and David Skinner:
"With every value in the spectrum of a ...
0
votes
1answer
97 views
What is the physical basis of Born's interpretations?
Did anyone has any idea how Born came up with the probabilistic interpretation of quantum mechanics. It is by all means very bizarre. And then it leads to the idea of copenhagen interpretation. Also ...
0
votes
1answer
189 views
Probability of finding an energy state of a non-normalisable wave-function
Suppose, say, I have the following wave function
It represents the wave function of a free particle.
I would want to calculate the probability of finding the particle with energy ħk and energy 2ħk. ...
12
votes
2answers
381 views
Probability measure implies quantum mechanics?
The article "Quantum Logic and Probability Theory," by Wilce, has the following in section 1.4:
1.4 The Reconstruction of QM
From the single premise that the “experimental propositions” ...
9
votes
3answers
806 views
Does Gleason's Theorem Imply Born's Rule?
Suppose that I accept that there is wave function collapse in quantum mechanics, and that the probabilities associated with each orthogonal subspace are a function of the wave function $\psi$ before ...
1
vote
0answers
97 views
Loschmidt's paradox in Bohmian Mechanics
In Bohmian mechanics, the position of the particles must have a random distribution given by $\rho = |\Psi|^2$, where $\Psi$ is the wave function, in order to be compatible with Born rule in standard ...
2
votes
0answers
66 views
Reconstruct quantum state from probabilities
Given a quantum state, the Born rule lets us compute probabilities. Conversely, given probabilities, can we reconstruct the quantum state? I think the answer is almost trivially positive but how ...
0
votes
1answer
152 views
Born rule and expectation value integral for $L = x \times p$
Physical interpretation of the wave function $\psi (x,t)$ is a probability amplitude for location $x$ and the Fourier transform of $\psi (x,t)$ can be interpreted as a probability amplitude for ...
-2
votes
4answers
117 views
Can the complex square of the wave function be interpreted as shape of the particle? [closed]
We know that for wave function of a photon or an electron, the complex square of the wave function is understood as the probability density of finding point like particle in the location. Can anyone ...
3
votes
0answers
464 views
Validity of Born Rule [closed]
The Born rule has been very successful in quantum mechanics. However, the interesting fact about this rule is that it only allows pairwise interference. In other words, there are no interference terms ...
-1
votes
1answer
130 views
Does the Born rule imply $L_2$ Space?
I see no formal proof of the Born rule.
Well, the normalizing condition $\int_\infty|\Psi|^2dx=1$ is because of Born rule if I am not wrong. Does this imply that our reality is a $L_2$ space?
If ...
6
votes
2answers
227 views
Implication of Born's rule on the superposition principle
BACKGROUND
Born's rule quantifies the interference pattern of a single quantum particle going through two possibles paths A and B as
$P = |A|^2 + |B|^2 + ⟨A|B⟩ + ⟨B|A⟩$.
The standard interpretation ...
0
votes
1answer
460 views
If the Many Worlds interpretation (MWI) cannot derive the Born rule, would that mean that it is wrong?
All attempts at deriving the born rule in MWI have been shown to be circular in some way. So if it turns out that MWI cannot derive the born rule without some form of circularity, does that mean that ...
2
votes
1answer
360 views
Are there any derivations of the born rule from MWI that work?
Are there any derivations of the born rule from MWI that are not circular and are mathematically consistent? I ask this because Florin Moldoveanu insists that such a derivation from MWI doesn't exist. ...
0
votes
2answers
130 views
What is the initial and rigorous definition of state function $\psi$ in quantum mechanics?
Is the
$$
P_{a\le x\le b} (t) = \int\limits_a^b d x\,|\psi(x)|^2 \,
$$
and
$$
P_{a\le p\le b} (t) = \int\limits_a^b d p\,|\psi(p)|^2 \,
$$
results or axiomatic definitions?
Sorry if the ...
3
votes
2answers
537 views
What precisely is the wave function a probability density of?
In QM the norm of the wave function $\psi(\vec{x})$ is said to be the probability density that the particle is at $\psi(\vec{x})$ if one would observe its position. Generally, nothing more is ...
0
votes
1answer
90 views
Defining Quantum Mechanics
Does
Schrödinger's Equation (Operator form)
$[\hat{X},\hat{P}]=i$
Born Rules
define Quantum Mechanics?
1
vote
1answer
117 views
Understanding the Mathematical Formalisms of Everetts MWI
Link to article: http://jamesowenweatherall.com/SCPPRG/EverettHugh1957PhDThesis_BarrettComments.pdf
I'm writing an essay on Everettian MWI and its incompatibility with Born Rule probabilities. I ...
0
votes
1answer
54 views
Basic question about wave funtions: using the Born rule
I have a textbook giving an example of what the probability is of observing system $Ψ = a|A⟩ + b|B⟩$ in states $a|A⟩$ and $b|B⟩$.
I'm not sure I understand it fully. How do I use the Born rule to know ...
1
vote
2answers
179 views
Clashing definition of rays in Weinberg and Sakurai and Born interpretation without normalizability [duplicate]
In Sakurai's Modern Quantum Mechanics, it is stated that
One of the physics postulates is that $|\alpha\rangle$ and $c|\alpha\rangle$, with $c\neq 0$, represent the same physical state. In other ...
2
votes
1answer
247 views
Why can non-normalizable solutions not represent particles?
In quantum mechanics, if the wavefunction is normalizable, then it would represent a particle. Why does it not represent a particle when it is not normalizable?
2
votes
1answer
127 views
Algebra behind the wave function properties [closed]
In lecture, for the tunnelling wave function
$$ \psi(x) = C_1\cosh(x/l)+C_2\sinh(x/l)$$
the current density is
$$ J = h/(2mi) [ \psi^*(\Delta\psi) - (\Delta\psi)^*\psi] $$
Here is my problem, ...
