Reversibility and the Interpretation of Mixtures in Quantum Mechanics

PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1992:381 - 392 (1992)
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Abstract

This paper examines the problem of the interpretation of mixtures in quantum mechanics, presenting a survey of the philosophical debate between the ignorance interpretation (IgI) and the instrumentalist approach. By defining specific procedures for preparing and analyzing mixed beams of polarized light, we show that an important argument in defense of the IgI is not valid: differently prepared but equivalent mixtures cannot be distinguished by measuring particle fluctuations. We present an alternative argument, based on an experiment to test whether the process of mixing is reversible or not. The expected result of this thought-experiment favors a weak version of the IgI.

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Osvaldo Pessoa Junior
University of São Paulo

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