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I. Schmelzer

Publications and source records attributed to I. Schmelzer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2019

Do ghost fields really make massive gravity invalid?

Theories which contain ghost fields are considered to be invalid. It is assumed that for such theories the energy is unbounded from below, and the theory will be unstable, allowing the creation of particle pairs with arbitrarily large positive and negative energies. Such ghost fields are a serious problem for theories of massive gravity. We present here an example of such a theory of gravity with a ghost field which avoids this problem. While its equations are locally equivalent to those of a theory of massive gravity with a ghost field, global restrictions of the configuration space have the result that the ghost mode has to remain small, and the energy has to remain positive. As a consequence, the existence of a ghost-like mode in the equations of the theory is not a decisive argument against this theory.

physics.gen-ph↗
arXiv2019

Do psi-ontology theorems prove that the wave function is not epistemic?

As a counterexample to $ψ$-ontology theorems we consider a $ψ$-epistemic interpretation of the wave function in the configuration space representation with a configuration space trajectory defining the ontology. This shows that $ψ$-ontology theorems appear unable to prove that the wave function cannot be interpreted as epistemic. We identify the criterion used to decide if $ψ$ is epistemic or ontological as the misleading part. Different states having overlaps is only sufficient for being epistemic. In an epistemic interpretation the information which completely identifies the wave function also has an objective base in reality - the preparation procedure, which has to be really executed to prepare a state. Naming the $λ\in Λ$ "hidden variables" and considering them as part of the state of the system we also identify as misleading, because it hides the possibility that they may be visible and external to the system. This leads to further misconceptions about the consequences of the theorems.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2018

EPR-Bell realism as a part of logic

We argue that for the proof of Bell's theorem no assumptions about realism or free will are necessary. The key formula \[E(AB|a,b) = \int A(a,b,λ)B(a,b,λ)ρ(λ) dλ\] follows from the logic of plausible reasoning (the objective Bayesian interpretation of probability theory) taken alone, without any further assumptions about realism. The space $Λ$, usually interpreted as some space of `hidden variables', can be constructed for an arbitrary `field of discourse' using Stone's theorem. The rejection of superdeterminism follows from logical independence -- the non-existence of information which suggest a dependence -- of the free decisions of the experimenters from everything else. To prove the Bell inequality it is, then, sufficient to reduce this to \[E(AB|a,b) = \int A(a,λ)B(b,λ)ρ(λ) dλ.\] This follows for space-like separated measurements from Einstein causality alone. So, the consequence of the violation of Bell's inequality is that Einstein causality has been empirically falsified, without any loopholes left. We consider and reject the idea of weakening the logic of plausible reasoning could be used to create a loophole. Finally, we discuss what can be used to replace Einstein causality. While weak (signal) Einstein causality holds, it follows either from a notion of strong causality or from human inability to prepare states which violate quantum uncertainty, which makes it uninteresting for fundamental considerations. A notion of strong causality has either unacceptable causal loops or requires a hidden preferred frame. Given that a hidden preferred frame is completely compatible with modern physics, it is argued that this choice is preferable.

physics.gen-ph↗
arXiv2017

The paleoclassical interpretation of quantum theory

This interpretation establishes a completely classical ontology -- only the classical trajectory in configuration space -- and interprets the wave function as describing incomplete information (in form of a probability flow) about this trajectory. This combines basic ideas of de Broglie-Bohm theory and Nelsonian stochastics about the trajectory with a Bayesian interpretation of the wave function. Various objections are considered and discussed. In particular a regularity principle for the zeros of the wave function allows to meet the Wallstrom objection.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2016

About a "nonlocal" local model considered by L. Vervoort, and the necessity to distinguish locality from Einstein locality

L. Vervoort [arxiv:1406.0901] claims to have found a model which "can violate the Bell inequality and reproduce the quantum statistics, even if it is based on local dynamics only". This claim is false. The proposed model contains global elements. The physics behind the model is local, but would not allow the explanation of violations of Bell inequalities for space-like separated events, if superluminal causal influences are forbidden. To use it for this purpose, one has to introduce a preferred frame where information can be send faster than light. As a cause of the misunderstanding we identify the unfortunate convention to use "local" as a synonym for Einstein-local, so that theories which are local in every physically relevant sense have to be named "non-local", and argue that this convention should be abandoned.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2015

Pure quantum interpretations are not viable

Pure interpretations of quantum theory, which reject the classical part of the Copenhagen interpretation without adding new structure to it's quantum part, are not viable. This is a consequence of a non-uniqueness result for the canonical operators.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2012

The Standard Model fermions as excitations of an ether

The three-dimensional complexified exteriour bundle $C \otimes Λ(R^3)$ is proposed as a geometric interpretation of electroweak doublets of Dirac fermions. The Dirac equation on this bundle allows a staggered discretization on a three-dimensional scalar complex lattice field $C(Z^3)$. The three-dimensional affine group $Aff(3)$ is proposed as a geometric interpretation for the matrix defined by the three generations, with the three quark doublets and a lepton doublet in each generation. The corresponding lattice space $(Aff(3) \otimes C)(Z^3)$ allows a simple condensed matter (ether) interpretation. A possibility to construct anticommuting fermion operators based on canonical quantization is given. A set of axioms of the gauge action is defined such that the gauge action of the SM gauge group $SU(3)_c x SU(2)_L x U(1)_{Y}$ is the maximal possible one. This includes preservation of Euclidean symmetry and the symplectic structure, anomaly freedom, ground state neutrality, and the possibility of realization on the lattice. Strong interactions are realized as Wilson-like gauge fields, weak gauge fields as effective gauge fields describing lattice deformations, and the EM field as a combination of above types. Some possibilities to explain the qualitative characteristics of the mass parameters are discussed.

physics.gen-ph↗
arXiv2012

Black Holes or Frozen Stars? A Viable Theory of Gravity without Black Holes

Do observations of black hole candidates rule out alternative theories of gravity without horizon formation? This depends on the existence, viability and reasonableness of alternative theories of gravity without black holes. Here a theory of gravity without black hole horizon formation is presented. The gravitational collapse stops shortly before horizon formation and leaves a stable frozen star. In the limit $Ξ, Υ\to 0$ the Einstein equations of GR are recovered, and the frozen stars become observationally indistinguishable from GR black holes. The theory therefore provides a counterexample to recent claims that observational evidence from black hole candidates "all but requires the existence of a horizon". The theory presented here shares its equations with RTG. Nonetheless, as is shown, there remain important conceptual and physical differences. In particular, some serious problems of RTG are not present in the theory proposed here. So it can be argued that the theory is a physically viable and conceptually sound alternative to GR.

physics.gen-ph↗
arXiv2012

A generalization of the Lorentz ether to gravity with general-relativistic limit

Does relativistic gravity provide arguments against the existence of a preferred frame? Our answer is negative. We define a viable theory of gravity with preferred frame. In this theory, the EEP holds exactly, and the Einstein equations of GR limit are obtained in a natural limit. Despite some remarkable differences (stable "frozen stars" instead of black holes, a "big bounce" instead of the big bang, exclusion of nontrivial topologies and closed causal loops, and a preference for a flat universe) the theory is viable. The equations of the theory are derived from simple axioms about some fundamental condensed matter (the generalized Lorentz ether), so that, in particular, the EEP is not postulated but derived. The theory is compatible with the condensed matter interpretation for the fermions and gauge fields of the standard model.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2011

An answer to the Wallstrom objection against Nelsonian stochastics

A serious objection made by Wallstrom against quantum interpretations based flow variables, in particular Nelsonian stochastics, is their empirical inequivalence with quantum theory: They are unable to obtain a quantization condition for flows around zeros which is automatically fulfilled by the wave function. It is found that the quantization condition follows from a simple additional postulate: The Laplace operator of the density has to be finite and positive at zeros of the density. This postulate is a quite natural consequence of subquantum theories, as far as they conform to a simple principle of minimal distortion of the quantum solutions.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2011

The background as a quantum observable: Einstein's hole argument in a quasiclassical context

I consider a thought experiment measuring the decoherence for quasiclassical superpositions of gravitational field. A version of the hole argument allows to prove that a covariant (background-free) theory is completely unable to define the outcome of this experiment and is therefore not viable. Instead, the results of experiments of this type allow to reconstruct a common background shared by all superposed gravitational fields.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2009

A Fermion Doublet With Chiral Gauge Interaction On A Lattice

We present a new staggered discretization of the Dirac operator. Doubling gives only a doublet of Dirac fermions which we propose to interpret as a physical (lepton or quark) doublet. If coupled with gauge fields, an $(1+γ^5)$ chiral interaction appears in a natural way. We define a generalization for curved background which does not require tetrad variables. The approach suggests a natural explanation for the three fermion families.

hep-lat↗
arXiv2009

Overlaps in pilot wave field theories

Recently doubts have been raised about the ability of pilot wave theories with field ontology to recover the predictions of quantum field theory. In particular, Struyve has questioned that the overlap between wave functionals of macroscopically different states with fixed particle number is really non-significant. With numerical computations and some further plausibility arguments we show that the overlap between n-particle states in field theory decreases almost exponentially with the number of particles and becomes non-significant already for small particle numbers.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2009

A symmetry problem in the Copenhagen interpretation

A non-uniqueness result for the canonical structure in quantum theory shows that the classical part of the Copenhagen interpretation contains physically important information not contained in its quantum part. As a consequence, we cannot compute the symmetry group of a quantum theory considering only the quantum part. The unavoidable vagueness of the classical part therefore leads to a similar vagueness in the definition of the symmetry group. This makes it at least problematic, if not impossible, to establish the true symmetry group of a quantum theory in the Copenhagen interpretation. Different from the old measurement problem, the symmetry group is to important physically to be rejected as a metaphysical pseudoproblem.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2009

A condensed matter interpretation of SM fermions and gauge fields

We present the bundle Aff(3) x C x /(R^3), with a geometric Dirac equation on it, as a three-dimensional geometric interpretation of the SM fermions. Each C x /(R^3) describes an electroweak doublet. The Dirac equation has a doubler-free staggered spatial discretization on the lattice space Aff(3) x C (Z^3). This space allows a simple physical interpretation as a phase space of a lattice of cells in R^3. We find the SM SU(3)_c x SU(2)_L x U(1)_Y action on Aff(3) x C x /(R^3) to be a maximal anomaly-free special gauge action preserving E(3) symmetry and symplectic structure, which can be constructed using two simple types of gauge-like lattice fields: Wilson gauge fields and correction terms for lattice deformations. The lattice fermion fields we propose to quantize as low energy states of a canonical quantum theory with Z_2-degenerated vacuum state. We construct anticommuting fermion operators for the resulting Z_2-valued (spin) field theory. A metric theory of gravity compatible with this model is presented too.

physics.gen-ph↗
arXiv2009

About the relation between pilot wave beables and decoherence

Motivated by Wallace's thesis that pilot wave beables should be decoherence-preferred to recover quantum predictions, we consider the relation between pilot wave beables and decoherence. We prove that without any connection between beables and decoherence the overlap between macrcopic states becomes negligible. This is sufficient to recover quantum predictions, so that Wallace's thesis has to be rejected. A natural connection between decoherence and beables appears if the decomposition into systems used by decoherence is based on the beables. While our first result becomes inapplicable in this case, we present evidence that the overlap becomes negligible too.

quant-ph↗