arXiv subjects

Fred H. Thaheld

Publications and source records attributed to Fred H. Thaheld.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2015

Can the Stark-Einstein law resolve the measurement problem from an animate perspective?

Analysis of the Stark-Einstein law as it applies to the retinal molecule, which is part of the rhodopsin molecule within the rod cells of the retina, reveals that it may provide the solution to the measurement problem from an animate perspective. That it represents a natural boundary where the Schroedinger equation or wave function automatically goes from linear to nonlinear while remaining in a deterministic state. It will be possible in the near future to subject this theory to empirical tests as has been previously proposed. This analysis provides a contrast to the many decades well studied and debated inanimate measurement problem and would represent an addition to the Stark-Einstein law involving information carried by the photon.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2009

A mechanical engineer's approach to the measurement problem: Is a picture worth a thousand words?

The measurement problem is approached from a mechanical aspect, utilizing schematics to better assist in visualizing the boundary and the interplay between the quantum and classical worlds. This approach graphically illustrates what happens when a photon is absorbed by the retinal molecule, and reveals that even after collapse of the wave function, the information previously carried by the photon and passed on to the pi* electron, is still at the microscopic level waiting to be amplified up to the macroscopic level by the rod cell. This analysis reveals that the measuring device or detector is of an unusual 2-stage nature, consisting of a microscopic entity or rhodopsin molecule which is not affected by the environment, contained within a macroscopic rod cell which serves as an amplifier. This approach may also allow one to better visualize the boundary conditions just prior to collapse and whether it is necessary to make any kind of adjustment to the Schroedinger equation to achieve a nonlinear collapse.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2009

Can biophysics tell us something about the weak equivalence principle vis a vis the thought experiment of Einstein involving human subjects?

Over a period of several decades it has been noticed that most astronauts, either orbiting the earth or on trips to the moon, have observed phosphenes or light flashes (LF) including streaks, spots and clouds of light when their eyes are closed or they are in a darkened cabin. Scientists suspect that two separate components of cosmic rays cause these flashes due to direct interaction with the retina. This phenomenon is not noticed on the ground because of cosmic ray interaction with the atmosphere. The argument is advanced that this effect may provide us with a new method of exploring the weak equivalence principle from the standpoint of Einstein's original thought experiment involving human subjects. This can be done, utilizing the retina only, as an animate quantum mechanical measuring device or, in conjunction with the Anomalous Long Term Effects on Astronauts (ALTEA) facility.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2009

A new stimulus approach in the search for biological nonlocality

Preliminary research in the area of biophysics appears to indicate the existence of quantum entanglement and nonlocality at the biological level, both for human subjects and for neurons derived from human neural stem cells. The lack of clear and replicable findings, especially where human subjects are concerned, results in conflicting and marginal correlations between stimulated and nonstimulated subject's brainwaves. It is proposed to go beyond the use of just patterned photostimulation, to encompass either transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or acupuncture, so that one can achieve a simultaneity of several different brain events in both stimulated and nonstimulated subjects, rather than just one EEG-type event.

q-bio.NC↗

arXiv2009

Comment on "Dynamical reduction models" by A. Bassi and G.C. Ghirardi (arXiv:quant-ph/0302164)

Bassi and Ghirardi have developed a new theory to address the measurement problem based upon non-linear and stochastic modifications of the Schroedinger equation, which has been given the name Quantum Mechanical Spontaneous Localization or QMSL, with one of the emphasis dealing with reduction or wavefunction collapse within the nervous system. Analysis of this portion of their theory reveals that it faces several problems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

A modified approach to the measurement problem: Objective reduction in the retinal molecule prior to conformational change

A new analysis of the measurement problem reveals the possibility that collapse of the wavefunction may now take place just before photoisomerization of the rhodopsin molecule in the retinal rods. It is known that when a photon is initially absorbed by the retinal molecule which, along with opsin comprises the rhodopsin molecule, an electron in the highest pi orbital is immediately excited to a pi* orbital. This means that a measurement or transfer of information takes place at the quantum level before the retinal molecule commences the conformational change from cis to trans. This could have profound implications for resolving some of the foundational issues confronting quantum mechanics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

Nature as the observer: A simplified approach to the measurement problem and related issues

Several theories have been advanced recently which appear to offer a resolution to that portion of the measurement problem which previously dealt with a possible reduction of the state vector in a subjective fashion by the brain, mind or consciousness. It now appears, based on both biological and mathematical analysis, that collapse of the wave function always takes place in an objective fashion in the retinal rod-rhodopsin molecule, and that only measured information is ever presented to the brain, mind or consciousness for possible subjective analysis. The remaining portion of the measurement problem has to do with the use and legitimacy of such terms as boundary (Heisenberg or von Neumann cut), information, irreversible, measurement, microscopic, macroscopic, observer (apparatus or measuring system), observed (measured system) and wave function collapse. This portion of the measurement problem may be resolved in two ways. First, by adopting Dirac's theory that it is nature that makes the choice of measuremental result. Second, by the insertion of a mesoscopic bridge between the microscopic and macroscopic worlds, in the existing form of the rhodopsin molecule with its retinal and opsin components.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

A new empirical approach in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: Astrobiological nonlocality at the cosmological level

Over a period of several decades a concerted effort has been made to determine whether intelligent life exists outside of our solar system, known as the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence or SETI. This has been based primarily upon attempting to intercept possible radio transmissions at different frequencies with arrays of radio telescopes. In addition, astrophysical observations have also been undertaken to see if other worlds or solar systems exist with similar conditions such as ours, which might be conducive to life. And, numerous papers have been written exploring different possibilities for the existence of life or why we have not observed it as of yet, since none of these approaches have been successful. It may now be possible to explore this issue from another standpoint. Recent theoretical and experimental results in the field of biophysics appear to indicate the possibility of quantum entanglement and nonlocality at the biological level, between spatially separated pairs of human subjects and also between basins containing neurons derived from human neural stem cells. If this research continues to be upheld in a more replicable fashion, this could have very important implications in the area of controllable superluminal communication. Experiments are proposed in an attempt to address the issue of whether controllable superluminal communication is possible and, if it is, to utilize it in an attempt to determine if extraterrestrial intelligence really exists, within the framework of astrobiological nonlocality.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2006

Controllable vs uncontrollable nonlocality: Is it possible to achieve superluminal communication?

For over 7 decades it has been debated as to whether nonlocality is strictly of an uncontrollable nature. Based upon polarization measurements with entangled photons, it has been revealed that nonlocality cannot be used to achieve controllable superluminal communication. A simple series of experiments is proposed which may reveal that a rudimentary form of controllable superluminal communication is possible, using human neural stem cells mounted on microelectrode arrays, subject to laser stimulation at varying Hz levels.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2006

The argument for an objective wave function collapse: Why spontaneous localization collapse or no-collapse decoherence cannot solve the measurement problem in a subjective fashion

A more detailed analysis of the measurement problem continues to support the position taken by Shimony and the author that collapse of the wave function takes place in an objective manner in the rhodopsin molecule of the retina. This casts further doubts on the theories involving a spontaneous localization collapse process or a no-collapse decoherence process taking place in the visual cortex in a subjective fashion. The possibility is then raised, as per Anandan, as to whether the solution of the measurement problem in quantum theory allows one to address the problem of quantizing gravitation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Comment on "Experimental motivation and empirical consistency in minimal no-collapse quantum mechanics"

Schlosshauer has advanced a theory of minimal no-collapse quantum mechanics for a decoherence-based subjective resolution of the measurement problem. The basic premise being that superposition states are maintained beyond the retinal apparatus, becoming correlated with neuronal arrays located in the occipital lobe of the brain. Decoherence for these neurons in a superposition of firing and resting, leads to an irreversible dynamical decoupling of the two branches, resulting in the emergence of a single subjective perception. Based upon prior retinal research, it is shown that his theory is untenable for several reasons.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

An interdisciplinary approach to certain fundamental issues in the fields of physics and biology: towards a Unified Theory

Recent experiments appear to have revealed the possibility of quantum entanglement between spatially separated human subjects. In addition, a similar condition might exist between basins containing human neurons adhering to printed circuit boards. In both instances, preliminary data indicates what appear to be non-local correlations between brain electrical activities in the case of the human subjects, and also non-local correlations between neuronal basin electrical activities, implying entanglement at the macroscopic level. If the ongoing extended research and the analysis of same continues to support this hypothesis, it may then make it possible to simultaneously address some of the fundamental problems facing us in both physics and biology through the adoption of an interdisciplinary empirical approach based on Bell's experimental philosophy, with the goal of unifying these two fields.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2005

Does consciousness really collapse the wave function? A possible objective biophysical resolution of the measurement problem

An analysis has been performed of the theories and postulates advanced by von Neumann, London and Bauer, and Wigner, concerning the role that consciousness might play in the collapse of the wave function, which has become known as the measurement problem. This reveals that an error may have been made by them in the area of biology and its interface with quantum mechanics, when they called for the reduction of any superposition states in the brain through the mind or consciousness. Many years later Wigner changed his mind to reflect a simpler and more realistic objective position, expanded upon by Shimony, which appears to offer a way to resolve this issue. The argument is therefore made that the wave function of any superposed photon state or states is always objectively changed within the complex architecture of the eye in a continuous linear process initially for most of the superposed photons, followed by a discontinuous nonlinear collapse process later for any remaining superposed photons, thereby guaranteeing that only final, measured information is presented to the brain, mind or consciousness. An experiment to be conducted in the near future may enable us to simultaneously resolve the measurement problem and also determine if the linear nature of quantum mechanics is violated by the perceptual process.

quant-ph↗