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Andrei Khrennikov

Publications and source records attributed to Andrei Khrennikov.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Quantum Information Biology: from information interpretation of quantum mechanics to applications in molecular biology and cognitive psychology

We discuss foundational issues of quantum information biology (QIB) -- one of the most successful applications of the quantum formalism outside of physics. QIB provides a multi-scale model of information processing in bio-systems: from proteins and cells to cognitive and social systems. This theory has to be sharply distinguished from "traditional quantum biophysics". The latter is about quantum bio-physical processes, e.g., in cells or brains. QIB models the dynamics of information states of bio-systems. It is based on the quantum-like paradigm: complex bio-systems process information in accordance with the laws of quantum information and probability. This paradigm is supported by plenty of statistical bio-data collected at all scales, from molecular biology and genetics/epigenetics to cognitive psychology and behavioral economics. We argue that the information interpretation of quantum mechanics (its various forms were elaborated by Zeilinger and Brukner, Fuchs and Mermin, and D' Ariano) is the most natural interpretation of QIB. We also point out that QBIsm (Quantum Bayesianism) can serve to find a proper interpretation of bio-quantum probabilities. Biologically QIB is based on two principles: a) adaptivity; b) openness (bio-systems are fundamentally open). These principles are mathematically represented in the framework of a novel formalism -- quantum adaptive dynamics which, in particular, contains the standard theory of open quantum systems as a special case of adaptivity (to environment).

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On a possibility to combine the order effect with sequential reproducibility for quantum measurements

In this paper we study the problem of a possibility to use quantum observables to describe a possible combination of the order effect with sequential reproducibility for quantum measurements. By the order effect we mean a dependence of probability distributions (of measurement results) on the order of measurements. We consider two types of the sequential reproducibility: adjacent reproducibility ($A-A$) and separated reproducibility($A-B-A$). The first one is reproducibility with probability 1 of a result of measurement of some observable $A$ measured twice, one $A$ measurement after the other. The second one, $A-B-A$, is reproducibility with probability 1 of a result of $A$ measurement when another quantum observable $B$ is measured between two $A$'s. Heuristically, it is clear that the second type of reproducibility is complementary to the order effect. We show that, surprisingly, for an important class of quantum observables given by positive operator valued measures (POVMs), this may not be the case. The order effect can coexist with a separated reproducibility as well as adjacent reproducibility for both observables $A$ and $B.$ However, the additional constraint in the form of separated reproducibility of the $B-A-B$ type makes this coexistence impossible. Mathematically, this paper is about the operator algebra for effects composing POVMs. The problem under consideration was motivated by attempts to apply the quantum formalism outside of physics, especially, in cognitive psychology and psychophysics. However, it is also important for foundations of quantum physics as a part of the problem about the structure of sequential quantum measurements.

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Bell as the Copernicus of Probability

Our aim is to emphasize the role of mathematical models in physics, especially models of geometry and probability. We briefly compare developments of geometry and probability by pointing to similarities and differences: from Euclid to Lobachevsky and from Kolmogorov to Bell. In probability Bell played the same role as Lobachevsky in geometry. In fact, violation of Bell's inequality implies the impossibility to apply the classical probability model of Kolmogorov (1933) to quantum phenomena. Thus quantum probabilistic model (based on Born's rule) is an example of non-Kolmogorovian model of probability, similarly to the Lobachevskian model -- the first example of non-Euclidean model of geometry. We also discuss coupling of the classical probabilistic model with classical (Boolean) logic. The Kolmogorov model of probability is based on the set-theoretic presentation of the Boolean logic. In this framework violation of Bell's inequality implies the impossibility to use the Boolean structure of events for quantum phenomena; instead of it, events have to be represented by linear subspaces. This is the "probability model" interpretation of violation of Bell's inequality. We also criticize the standard interpretation -- an attempt to add to rigorous mathematical probability models additional elements such as (non)locality and (un)realism. Finally, we compare embeddings of non-Euclidean geometries into the Euclidean space with embeddings of the non-Kolmogorovian probabilities (in particular, quantum probability) into the Kolmogorov probability space. As an example, we consider the CHSH-test.

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Prequantum Classical Statistical Field Theory: Simulation of Probabilities of Photon Detection with the Aid of Classical Brownian Motion

In this paper we present results of numerical simulation based on Prequantum Classical Statistical Field Theory (PCSFT), a model with hidden variables of the field-type reproducing probabilistic predictions of quantum mechanics (QM). PCSFT is combined with measurement theory based on detectors of the threshold type. The latter describes discrete events corresponding to the continuous fields model, PCSFT. Numerical modeling demonstrated that the classical Brownian motion (the Wiener process valued in complex Hilbert space) producing clicks when approaching the detection threshold gives probabilities of detection predcited by the formalism QM (as well as PCSFT). This numerical result is important, since the transition from PCSFT to the threshold detection has a complex mathematical structure (in the framework of classical random processes) and it was modeled only approximately. We also perform numerical simulation for the PCSFT-value of the coefficient of second order coherence. Our result matches well with the prediction of quantum theory. Thus, opposite to semiclassical theory, PCSFT cannot be rejected as a consequence of measurements of $g^{(2)}(0).$ Finally, we analyze the output of the recent experiment performed in NIST questioning the validity of some predictions of PCSFT.

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Modeling the Eberhard inequality based tests

Last year the first experimental tests closing the detection loophole (also referred to as the fair sampling loophole) were performed by two experimental groups \cite{Zeilinger}, \cite{Kwiat}. To violate Bell-type inequalities (the Eberhard inequality in the first test and the Clauser-Horne inequality in the second test), one has to optimize a number of parameters involved in the experiment (angles of polarization beam splitters and quantum state parameters). Although these are technicalities, their optimal determination plays an important role in approaching statistically significant violations of the inequalities. In this paper we study this problem for the Eberhard inequality in very detail by using the advanced method of numerical optimization, the Nelder-Mead method. First of all, we improve the the results of optimization for the original Eberhard model \cite{Eberhard} and the Gustina et al. work \cite{Zeilinger} ("Vienna-13 experiment") by using the model of this experiment presented in Kofler et al. \cite{Zeilinger1}. We also take into account the well known fact that detectors can have different efficiencies and perform the corresponding optimization. In previous studies the objective function had the meaning of the mathematical expectation. However, it is also useful to investigate the possible level of variability of the results, expressed in terms of standard deviation. In this paper we consider the optimization of parameters for the Eberhard inequality using coefficient of variation taking into account possible random fluctuations in the setup of angles during the experiment.

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Introduction to foundations of probability and randomness (for students in physics), Lectures given at the Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Austrian Academy of Science, Lecture-1: Kolmogorov and von Mises

The education system for students in physics suffers (worldwide) from the absence of a deep course in probability and randomness. This is the real problem for students interested in quantum information theory, quantum optics, and quantum foundations. Here the primitive treatment of probability and randomness may lead to deep misunderstandings of theory and wrong interpretations of experimental results. Since during my visits (in 2013 and 2014) to IQOQI a number of students (experimenters!) asked me permanently about foundational problems of probability and randomness, especially inter-relation between classical and quantum structures, this year I gave two lectures on these problems. Surprisingly the interest of experiment-oriented students to mathematical peculiarities was very high. This (as well as permanent reminding of prof. Zeilinger) motivated me to write a text based on these lectures which were originally presented in the traditional black-board form. I hope that this might be useful for students from IQOQI as well as other young physicists.

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Quantum(-like) decision making: on validity of the Aumann theorem

Through set-theoretic formalization of the notion of common knowledge, Aumann proved that if two agents have the common priors, and their posteriors for a given event are common knowledge, then their posteriors must be equal. In this paper we investigate the problem of validity of this theorem in the framework of quantum(-like) decision making.

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Quantum(-like) common knowledge: Binmore-Brandenburger operator approach

We present the detailed account of the quantum(-like) viewpoint to common knowledge. The Binmore-Brandenburger operator approach to the notion of common knowledge is extended to the quantum case. We develop a special quantum(-like) model of common knowledge based on information representations of agents which can be operationally represented by Hermitian operators. For simplicity, we assume that each agent constructs her/his information representation by using just one operator. However, different agents use in general representations based on noncommuting operators, i.e., incompatible representations. The quantum analog of basic system of common knowledge features ${\cal K}1-{\cal K}5$ is derived.

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Quantum Non-Objectivity from Performativity of Quantum Phenomena

We analyze the logical foundations of quantum mechanics (QM) by stressing non-objectivity of quantum observables which is a consequence of the absence of logical atoms in QM. We argue that the matter of quantum non-objectivity is that, on the one hand, the formalism of QM constructed as a mathematical theory is self-consistent, but, on the other hand, quantum phenomena as results of experimenter's performances are not self-consistent. This self-inconsistency is an effect of that the language of QM differs much from the language of human performances. The first is the language of a mathematical theory which uses some Aristotelian and Russellian assumptions (e.g., the assumption that there are logical atoms). The second language consists of performative propositions which are self-inconsistent only from the viewpoint of conventional mathematical theory, but they satisfy another logic which is non-Aristotelian. Hence, the representation of quantum reality in linguistic terms may be different: from a mathematical theory to a logic of performative propositions. To solve quantum self-inconsistency, we apply the formalism of non-classical self-referent logics.

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CHSH inequality: Quantum probabilities as classical conditional probabilities

The celebrating theorem of A. Fine implies that the CHSH inequality is violated if and only if the joint probability distribution for the quadruples of observables involved the EPR-Bohm-Bell experiment does not exist, i.e., it is impossible to use the classical probabilistic model (Kolmogorov, 1933). In this note we demonstrate that, in spite of Fine's theorem, the results of observations in the EPR-Bohm-Bell experiment can be described in the classical probabilistic framework. However, the "quantum probabilities" have to be interpreted as conditional probabilities, where conditioning is with respect to fixed experimental settings. Our approach is based on the complete account of randomness involved in the experiment. The crucial point is that randomness of selections of experimental settings has to be taken into account. This approach can be applied to any complex experiment in which statistical data are collected for various (in general incompatible) experimental settings. Finally, we emphasize that our construction of the classical probability space for the EPR-Bohm-Bell experiment cannot be used to support the hidden variable approach to the quantum phenomena. The classical random parameter $ω$ involved in our considerations cannot be identified with the hidden variable $λ$ which is used the Bell-type considerations.

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Applying Quantum Principles to Psychology

This article starts out with a detailed example illustrating the utility of applying quantum probability to psychology. Then it describes several alternative mathematical methods for mapping fundamental quantum concepts (such as state preparation, measurement, state evolution) to fundamental psychological concepts (such as stimulus, response, information processing). For state preparation, we consider both pure states and densities with mixtures. For measurement, we consider projective measurements and positive operator valued measurements. The advantages and disadvantages of each method with respect to applications in psychology are discussed.

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Quantum model for psychological measurements: from the projection postulate to interference of mental observables represented as positive operator valued measures

Recently foundational issues of applicability of the formalism of quantum mechanics (QM) to cognitive psychology, decision making, and psychophysics attracted a lot of interest. In particular, in \cite{DKBB} the possibility to use of the projection postulate and representation of "mental observables" by Hermitian operators was discussed in very detail. The main conclusion of the recent discussions on the foundations of "quantum(-like) cognitive psychology" is that one has to be careful in determination of conditions of applicability of the projection postulate as a mathematical tool for description of measurements of observables represented by Hermitian operators. To represent some statistical experimental data (both physical and mental) in the quantum(-like) way, one has to use generalized quantum observables given by positive operator-valued measures (POVMs). This paper contains a brief review on POVMs which can be useful for newcomers to the field of quantum(-like) studies. Especially interesting for cognitive psychology is a variant of the formula of total probability (FTP) with the interference term derived for incompatible observables given by POVMs. We present an interpretation of the interference term from the psychological viewpoint. As was shown before, the appearance of such a term (perturbing classical FTP) plays the important role in cognitive psychology, e.g., recognition of ambiguous figures and the disjunction effect. The interference term for observables given by POVMs has much more complicated structure than the corresponding term for observables given by Hermitian operators. We elaborate cognitive interpretations of different components of the POVMs-interference term and apply our analysis to a quantum(-like) model of decision making.

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Violation of contextual generalization of the Leggett-Garg inequality for recognition of ambiguous figures

We interpret the Leggett-Garg (LG) inequality as a kind of contextual probabilistic inequality in which one combines data collected in experiments performed for three different contexts. In the original version of the inequality these contexts have the temporal nature and they are given by three pairs of instances of time, $(t_1, t_2), (t_2, t_3), (t_3, t_4),$ where $t_1 < t_2 < t_3.$ We generalize LG conditions of macroscopic realism and noninvasive measurability in the general contextual framework. Our formulation is done in the purely probabilistic terms: existence of the context independent joint probability distribution $P$ and the possibility to reconstruct the experimentally found marginal (two dimensional) probability distributions from the $P.$ We derive an analog of the LG inequality, "contextual LG inequality", and use it as a test of "quantum-likeness" of statistical data collected in a series of experiments on recognition of ambiguous figures. In our experimental study the figure under recognition is the Schroeder stair which is shown with rotations for different angles. Contexts are encoded by dynamics of rotations: clockwise, anticlockwise, and random. Our data demonstrated violation of the contextual LG inequality for some combinations of aforementioned contexts. Since in quantum theory and experiments with quantum physical systems this inequality is violated, e.g., in the form of the original LG-inequality, our result can be interpreted as a sign that the quantum(-like) models can provide a more adequate description of the data generated in the process of recognition of ambiguous figures.

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Classical probability model for Bell inequality

We show that by taking into account randomness of realization of experimental contexts it is possible to construct common Kolmogorov space for data collected for these contexts, although they can be incompatible. We call such a construction "Kolmogorovization" of contextuality. This construction of common probability space is applied to Bell's inequality. It is well known that its violation is a consequence of collecting statistical data in a few incompatible experiments. In experiments performed in quantum optics contexts are determined by selections of pairs of angles $(θ_i, θ^\prime_j)$ fixing orientations of polarization beam splitters. Opposite to the common opinion, we show that statistical data corresponding to measurements of polarizations of photons in the singlet state, e.g., in the form of correlations, can be described in the classical probabilistic framework. The crucial point is that in constructing the common probability space one has to take into account not only randomness of the source (as Bell did), but also randomness of context-realizations (in particular, realizations of pairs of angles $(θ_i, θ^\prime_j)$). One may (but need not) say that randomness of "free will" has to be accounted.

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On the equivalence of Clauser-Horne and Eberhard inequality based tests

Recently, the results of the first experimental test for entangled photons closing the detection loophole (also referred to as the fair sampling loophole) were published (Vienna, 2013). From the theoretical viewpoint the main distinguishing feature of this long-aspired experiment was that the Eberhard inequality was used. Almost simultaneously another experiment closing this loophole was performed (Urbana-Champaign, 2013) and it was based on the Clauser-Horne inequality (for probabilities). The aim of this note is to analyze the mathematical and experimental equivalence of tests based on the Eberhard inequality and various forms on the Clauser-Horne inequality. The structure of the mathematical equivalence is nontrivial. In particular, it is necessary to distinguish between algebraic and statistical equivalence. Although the tests based on these inequalities are algebraically equivalent, they need not be equivalent statistically, i.e., theoretically the level of statistical significance can drop under transition from one test to another (at least for finite samples). Nevertheless, the data collected in the Vienna-test implies not only a statistically significant violation of the Eberhard inequality, but also of the Clauser-Horne inequality (in the ratio-rate form): for both a violation $>60σ.$

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Quantum Models for Psychological Measurements: An Unsolved Problem

There has been a strong recent interest in applying quantum mechanics (QM) outside physics, including in cognitive science. We analyze the applicability of QM to two basic properties in opinion polling. The first property (response replicability) is that, for a large class of questions, a response to a given question is expected to be repeated if the question is posed again, irrespective of whether another question is asked and answered in between. The second property (question order effect) is that the response probabilities frequently depend on the order in which the questions are asked. Whenever these two properties occur together, it poses a problem for QM. The conventional QM with Hermitian operators can handle response replicability, but only in the way incompatible with the question order effect. In the generalization of QM known as theory of positive-operator-valued measures (POVMs), in order to account for response replicability, the POVMs involved must be conventional operators. Although these problems are not unique to QM and also challenge conventional cognitive theories, they stand out as important unresolved problems for the application of QM to cognition . Either some new principles are needed to determine the bounds of applicability of QM to cognition, or quantum formalisms more general than POVMs are needed.

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Photon flux and distance from the source: consequences for quantum foundations and technologies

The paper explores the fundamental physical principles of quantum mechanics (in fact, quantum field theory) which limit the bit rate for long distances. Propagation of photons in optical fibers is modeled using methods of quantum electrodynamics. We define photon "duration" as the standard deviation of the photon arrival time; we find its asymptotics for long distances and then obtain the main result of the paper: the linear dependence of photon duration on the distance. This effect puts the limit to joint increasing of the photon flux and the distance from the source and it has important consequences both for quantum information technologies and quantum foundations. Once quantum communication develops into a real technology, it would be appealing to the engineers to increase both the photon flux and the distance. And here our "photon flux/distance effect" has to be taken into account (at least if successively emitted photons are considered as independent). This effect also has to be taken into account in a loophole free test of Bell's type -- to close jointly the detection and locality loopholes.

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