It is explained why quantum mechanics applies principally to single systems and not to ensembles. A thorough analysis of thought-experiments shows clearly that irreversibility is connected with the storing of information rather than with the act of measurement. In order to avoid paradoxes one has to admit that the wave function does not represent the state of the system in itself, but information acquired in consequence of a complete measurement. The meaning of the time-energy uncertainty relation for stable systems is (...) discussed. (shrink)

We present an alternative to the Copenhagen interpretation of the formalism of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. The basic difference is that the new inter- pretation is formulated in the language of epistemological realism. It involves a change in some basic physical concepts. Elementary particles are considered as extended objects and nonlocal effects are included. The role of the new concepts in the problems of measurement and of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlations is described. Experiments to distinguish the proposed interpretation from the Copenhagen one (...) are pointed out. (shrink)

We present a holistic description of physical systems and how they relate to observations. The “theory” is established (geometrically) as a “classical random field theory.” The basic system variables are related to Lie group generators: the conjugate variables define observer parameters. The dichotomy between system and observer leads to acommunication channel relationship. The distortion measure on the channel distinguishes “classical” from “quantum” theories. The experiment is defined in terms that accommodate precision and unreliability. Information theory methods permit stochastic inference (this (...) includes “inverse scattering”) and prediction based on realistic data. (shrink)

Recently it has been shown that the classical “stick and ball” viewpoint of molecules is inconsistent with quantum theory (QT). We suggest an unusual reconciliation: The QT state is not a physical property, but instead reflects our state of knowledge about observable aspects of “reality.” We show how this perspective is nevertheless objective. Applied to molecules, the view permits “structure” to exist only when observable evidence is compatible with this feature. Typically one must replace the a priori model (in particular, (...) the dynamical generator) with one consistent with the evidence. We show that such “structure” is stable in the context of first-order perturbation theory. We also indicate how dynamics can be inferred from scattering data—a process alternative to postulating (field-theoretic) models for “environment.”. (shrink)

It is assumed that experiments yield results that are not isomorphic with reality, but represent a distorted image of reality. Reality is related to observation via a communication channel of finite capacity. Quantum uncertainties are due to the bound on the amount of information available. Use is made of recent results from information and communication theories.