arXiv subjects

Christian de Ronde

Publications and source records attributed to Christian de Ronde.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

A Realist Approach to Quantum Individuality: Against the "Received" and "Alternative" Views

In this work we address the contemporary debate about quantum individuality expressed as an opposition between those who, like Décio Krause, defend the reference of the theory to "non-individual particles", and those like Dennis Dieks, who propose instead to preserve the notion of "classical particle" as commonly applied by contemporary physicists. We will argue that these viewpoints rather than truly opposed share a common methodology which has helped to reinforce the doctrine of classical concepts that was imposed by Bohr and Dirac within the "standard" formulation --which remains the orthodox physical account of the theory of quanta. We will also discuss a recently proposed relativist yet objective relational account of quantum individuality [25] which, going back to Einstein's methodological approach, opens the doors to a completely new, truly realist understanding of quantum individuality.

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arXiv2025

On the Physical Untenability of the Standard Notion of Quantum State

The notion of quantum state plays a fundamental role within the Standard account of Quantum Mechanics (SQM) as established by Dirac and von Neumann during 1930s and up to the present. In this work we expose the deep inconsistencies that exist within the multiple definitions of the notion of quantum state that are provided within this axiomatic formulation. As we will argue, these different inconsistent definitions continue to be -- even today -- uncritically confused within the mainstream physical and philosophical literature leading to self-contradictory statements and wrong conclusions. We end with a discussion regarding the untenability of this concept for any rational understanding of theoretical physics.

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arXiv2024

Multi-Screen Entanglement in Tensorial Quantum Mechanics

In this work we present an invariant-objective formalization of multi screen-entanglement grounded on Tensorial Quantum Mechanics (TQM) [12]. This new tensorial formulation of the theory of quanta -- basically, an extension of Heisenberg's matrix mechanics -- allows not only to escape the many problems present in the current account of multi-partite entanglement grounded on the Dirac-Von Neumann Standard formulation of Quantum Mechanics (SQM) but, more importantly, to consistently represent entanglement phenomena when considering a multiplicity of different screens and detectors.

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arXiv2024

The Many Inconsistencies of the Purity-Mixture Distinction in Standard Quantum Mechanics

The distinction between pure states and mixed states is a kernel ingredient of what is considered to be the standard formulation of quantum mechanics and plays today a kernel role in foundational debates about the meaning of quantum probability, the separability of quantum systems, the definition and measure of entanglement, etc. In this work we attempt to expose the many inconsistencies introduced by this distinction and the serious consequences this has for many ongoing research programs within quantum physics which apply these notions uncritically.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2024

Tensorial Quantum Mechanics: Back to Heisenberg and Beyond

In this work we discuss the establishment of Standard Quantum Mechanics (SQM) developed through Schrödinger's and Dirac's wave-vectorial reformulations of Heisenberg's original matrix mechanics. We will argue that while Heisenberg's approach was consistently developed -- taking as a standpoint the intensive patterns that were observed in the lab -- as an invariant-operational formalism, Dirac's axiomatic re-formulation was, instead, developed -- taking as a standpoint Schrödinger's wave mechanics and the methodological guide of Bohr and logical positivists -- as an essentially inconsistent "recipe" intended (but unable) to predict (binary) measurement outcomes. Leaving SQM behind and attempting to restore the consistent and coherent account of a real state of affairs, we will present a new tensorial proposal which -- taking as a standpoint Heisenberg's original approach -- will prove capable not only to extend the matrix formalism to a tensorial representation but also to account for new experimental phenomena.

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arXiv2024

On the Relative Nature of Quantum Individuals

In this work we argue against the interpretation that underlies the "Standard" account of Quantum Mechanics (SQM) that was established during the 1930s by Niels Bohr and Paul Dirac. Ever since, following this orthodox narrative, physicists have dogmatically proclaimed -- quite regardless of the deep contradictions and problems -- that the the theory of quanta describes a microscopic realm composed of elementary particles (such as electrons, protons and neutrons) which underly our macroscopic world composed of tables, chairs and dogs. After critically addressing this atomist dogma still present today in contemporary (quantum) physics and philosophy, we present a new understanding of quantum individuals defined as the minimum set of relations within a specific degree of complexity capable to account for all relations within that same degree. In this case, quantum individuality is not conceived in absolute terms but -- instead -- as an objectively relative concept which even though depends of the choice of bases and factorizations remain nonetheless part of the same invariant representation.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2024

Everything is Entangled in Quantum Mechanics: Are the Orthodox Measures Physically Meaningful?

Even though quantum entanglement is today's most essential concept within the new technological era of quantum information processing, we do not only lack a consistent definition of this kernel notion, we are also far from understanding its physical meaning [35]. These failures have lead to many problems when attempting to provide a consistent measure or quantification of entanglement. In fact, the two main lines of contemporary research within the orthodox literature have created mazes where inconsistencies and problems are found everywhere. While the operational-instrumentalist approach has failed to explain how inequalities are able to distinguish the classical from the quantum, the geometrical approach has failed to provide a consistent meaningful account of their entropic measure. Taking distance from orthodoxy, in this work we address the quantification and measure of quantum entanglement by considering a recently presented objective-invariant definition in terms of the coding of intensive relations [21] which allows to escape the widespread relativist account of bases and factorizations [24, 25]. Going beyond the orthodox dualistic reference to "quantum particles" and "clicks" in detectors, we will argue that this new line of research is capable not only to evade the many open problems which appear within the mainstream literature, but is also able to present a consistent and coherent physical understanding of entanglement. The main conclusion of this work is that in quantum mechanics -- contrary to what is generally presupposed -- all operational expressions found within the laboratory are intrinsically entangled.

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arXiv2024

Equivalence Relations in Quantum Theory: An Objective Account of Bases and Factorizations

In orthodox Standard Quantum Mechanics (SQM) bases and factorizations are considered to define quantum states and entanglement in relativistic terms. While the choice of a basis (interpreted as a measurement context) defines a state incompatible to that same state in a different basis, the choice of a factorization (interpreted as the separability of systems into sub-systems) determines wether the same state is entangled or non-entangled. Of course, this perspectival relativism with respect to reference frames and factorizations precludes not only the widespread reference to quantum particles but more generally the possibility of any rational objective account of a state of affairs in general. In turn, this impossibility ends up justifying the instrumentalist (anti-realist) approach that contemporary quantum physics has followed since the establishment of SQM during the 1930s. In contraposition, in this work, taking as a standpoint the logos categorical approach to QM -- basically, Heisenberg's matrix formulation without Dirac's projection postulate -- we provide an invariant account of bases and factorizations which allows us to to build a conceptual-operational bridge between the mathematical formalism and quantum phenomena. In this context we are able to address the set of equivalence relations which allows us to determine what is actually the same in different bases and factorizations.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2023

Bohr's Anti-Realist Realism in Contemporary (Quantum) Physics and Philosophy

We discuss the influential role of Niels Bohr's work in the anti-realist realist re-foundation of physics that took place during the 20th century. We will focus in how, developing the modern co-relational matrix of scientific understanding, his essentially anti-realist scheme was able to capture, subvert and defeat the realist program of science through the establishment of a weakened impotent form of "religious realism" grounded on faith instead of scientific conditions. Finally, we will focus in how, still today, anti-realist realism continues to rule the contemporary post-modern research in both (quantum) physics and philosophy.

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arXiv2022

Realistic From Far But Far From Realism: Withering Scientific Realism in the Quantum Case

Much has been discussed in the philosophy of science about how we should understand the scientific enterprise. On the one hand, scientific realists believe that empirically adequate theories can be supplemented by interpretations that can mirror reality-as-it-is; on the other hand, anti-realists argue that this is not the case, as long as scientific theories make sufficiently accurate experimental predictions the addition of narratives is irrelevant for the scientific enterprise, and regarding narratives, it is preferable to remain agnostic. In this paper, we argue that realism was never really at stake in this debate.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2022

Mythical Thought in Bohr's Anti-Realist Realism (Or: Lessons on How to Capture and Defeat Smoky Dragons)

In this work we argue that the power and effectiveness of the Bohrian approach to quantum mechanics is essentially grounded on an inconsistent form of anti-realist realism which supports not only the uncritical tolerance -- in physics -- towards the "standard" account of the theory of quanta but also -- in philosophy -- to the mad reproduction of mythical (inconsistent and vague) narratives -- known as "interpretations". We will discuss the existence of -- what John Archibald Wheeler named -- "smoky dragons" not only within the standard formulation of the theory but also within the many interpretations that have been -- later on -- introduced by philosophers and philosophically inclined physicists. After analyzing the role of smoky dragons within both contemporary physics and philosophy of physics we will propose a general procedure grounded on a series of necessary theoretical conditions for producing meaningful physical concepts that -- hopefully -- could be used as tools and weapons to capture and defeat these beautiful and powerful mythical creatures.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2021

Against the Tyranny of Pure States in Quantum Theory

We argue that the notion of pure sate within Standard Quantum Mechanics is presently applied within the specialized literature in relation to two mutually inconsistent definitions. While the first (operational purity) provides a basis-dependent definition which makes reference to the certain prediction of measurement outcomes, the latter (trace-invariant purity) provides a purely abstract invariant definition which lacks operational content. In this work we derive a theorem which exposes the serious inconsistencies existent within these two incompatible definitions of purity.

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arXiv2020

Understanding Quantum Mechanics (Beyond Metaphysical Dogmatism and Naive Empiricism)

Quantum Mechanics (QM) has faced deep controversies and debates since its origin when Werner Heisenberg proposed the first mathematical formalism capable to operationally account for what had been recently discovered as the new field of quantum phenomena. Today, even though we have reached a standardized version of QM which is taught in Universities all around the world, there is still no consensus regarding the conceptual reference of the theory and, if or if not, it can refer to something beyond measurement outcomes. In this work we will argue that the reason behind the impossibility to reach a meaningful answer to this question is strictly related to the 20th Century Bohrian-positivist re-foundation of physics which is responsible for having introduced within the theory of quanta a harmful combination of metaphysical dogmatism and naive empiricism. We will also argue that the possibility of understanding QM is at plain sight, given we return to the original framework of physics in which the meaning of understanding has always been clear.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2020

Relational Quantum Entanglement Beyond Non-Separable and Contextual Relativism

In this paper we address the relativist-perspectival nature of the orthodox definition of quantum entanglement in terms of preferred factorizations. We also consider this aspect aspect within the generalized definition of entanglement proposed by Barnum et al. [6, 7] in terms of preferred observables. More specifically, we will discuss the non-separable relativism implied by the orthodox definition of entanglement, the contextual relativism implied by its generalization as well as some other serious problems presently discussed within the specialized literature. In the second part of this work, we address a recently proposed objective-invariant definition of entanglement understood as the actual and potential coding of effective and intensive relations [32]. Through the derivation of two theorems we will show explicitly how this new objective definition of entanglement is able to escape both non-separable relativism and contextual relativism. According to these theorems, within this proposed relational definition, all possible subsets of observables as well as all possible factorizations can be globally considered as making reference to the same (potential) state of affairs. The conclusion is that, unlike with the orthodox definitions, this new objective-relational notion of entanglement is able to bypass relativism right from the start opening the door to a realist understanding of quantum correlations.

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arXiv2020

Quantum Theory Needs No 'Interpretation' But 'Theoretical Formal-Conceptual Unity' (Or: Escaping Adan Cabello's "Map of Madness" With the Help of David Deutsch's Explanations)

In the year 2000, in a paper titled Quantum Theory Needs No 'Interpretation', Chris Fuchs and Asher Peres presented a series of instrumentalist arguments against the role played by 'interpretations' in QM. Since then --quite regardless of the publication of this paper-- the number of interpretations has experienced a continuous growth constituting what Adan Cabello has characterized as a "map of madness". In this work, we discuss the reasons behind this dangerous fragmentation in understanding and provide new arguments against the need of interpretations in QM which --opposite to those of Fuchs and Peres-- are derived from a representational realist understanding of theories --grounded in the writings of Einstein, Heisenberg and Pauli. Furthermore, we will argue that there are reasons to believe that the creation of 'interpretations' for the theory of quanta has functioned as a trap designed by anti-realists in order to imprison realists in a labyrinth with no exit. Taking as a standpoint the critical analysis by David Deutsch to the anti-realist understanding of physics, we attempt to address the references and roles played by 'theory' and 'observation'. In this respect, we will argue that the key to escape the anti-realist trap of interpretation is to recognize that --as Einstein told Heisenberg almost one century ago-- it is only the theory which can tell you what can be observed. Finally, we will conclude that what QM needs is not a new interpretation but instead, a theoretical (formal-conceptual) consistent, coherent and unified scheme which allows us to understand what the theory is really talking about.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2020

Measuring Quantum Superpositions (Or, "It is only the theory which decides what can be observed.")

In this work we attempt to confront the orthodox widespread claim present in the foundational literature of Quantum Mechanics (QM) according to which 'superpositions are never actually observed in the lab'. In order to do so, we begin by providing a critical analysis of the famous measurement problem which, we will argue, was originated by the strict application of the empirical-positivist requirements to subsume the quantum formalism under their specific understanding of 'theory'. In this context, the ad hoc introduction of the projection postulate (or measurement rule) can be understood as a necessary requirement coming from a naive empiricist standpoint which presupposes that observations are self evident givens of "common sense" experience --independent of metaphysical (categorical) presuppositions. We then turn our attention to two "non-collapse" interpretations of QM --namely, modal and many worlds-- which even though deny that the "collapse" is a real physical process anyhow retain the measurement rule as a necessary element of the theory. In contraposition, following Einstein's claim according to which "it is only the theory which decides what can be observed", we propose a return to the realist representational understanding of 'physical theories' in which 'observation' is considered as derived from theoretical presuppositions. It is from this standpoint that we discuss a new non-classical conceptual representation which allows us to understand quantum phenomena in an intuitive (anschaulicht) manner. Leaving behind the projection postulate, we discuss the general physical conditions for measuring and observing quantum superpositions.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2020

Beyond Purity and Mixtures in Categorical Quantum Mechanics

In a recent paper [12], we discussed the serious inconsistency present within the operational and mathematical definition(s) of the notion of pure state. Continuing this analysis, in this work we attempt to address the role of 'purity' and 'mixtures' within two different categorical approaches to QM, namely, the topos approach originally presented by Chris Isham and Jeremy Butterfield [27, 28, 29] and the more recent logos categorical approach presented by the authors of this article [10, 11, 13]. While the first approach exposes the difficulties to produce a consistent understanding of pure states and mixtures, the latter approach presents a new scheme in which their reference is erased right from the start in favor of an intensive understanding of projection operators and quantum superpositions. This new account of the theory, grounded on an intensive interpretation of the Born rule, allows us not only to avoid the orthodox interpretation of projection operators --either as referring to definite valued properties or measurement outcomes-- but also to consider all matrices (of any rank) on equal footing. It is from this latter standpoint that we conclude that instead of distinguishing between pure and mixed states it would be recommendable --for a proper understanding of the theory of quanta-- to return to the original matrix formulation of quantum mechanics presented by Werner Heisenberg in 1925.

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arXiv2020

The Dilemma of Quantum Individuality Beyond Particle Metaphysics

It is commonly claimed that quantum mechanics makes reference to a microscopic realm constituted by elementary particles. However, as first famously noticed by Erwin Schrödinger, it is not at all clear what these quantum particles really are. According to the specialized literature, it is not even clear if each of these microscopic entities possess their own identity. Recently, Jonas Arenhart proposed a distinction of quantum objects in terms of a dilemma which forces a choice between their characterization either as individuals or as non-individuals. In this work we attempt to address the (metaphysical) presuppositions involved within Arenhart's dilemma which ground the question of individuality in QM on a strong presupposition regarding the existence of quantum objects. After providing a reconsideration of the role played by metaphysics within physics we attempt to propose, not only a complete redefinition of the dilemma beyond particle metaphysics, but also a possible realist solution grounded on the provision of a new (non-classical) conceptual framework which seeks to develop an invariant-objective representation of the theory of quanta.

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