Some interpretations of quantum mechanics posit a central role for an observer of a quantum phenomenon.[1] The quantum mechanical observer is tied to the issue of observer effect, where a measurement necessarily requires interacting with the physical object being measured, affecting its properties through the interaction. The term "observable" has gained a technical meaning, denoting a Hermitian operator that represents a measurement.[2]: 55
Of course the introduction of the observer must not be misunderstood to imply that some kind of subjective features are to be brought into the description of nature. The observer has, rather, only the function of registering decisions, i.e., processes in space and time, and it does not matter whether the observer is an apparatus or a human being; but the registration, i.e., the transition from the "possible" to the "actual," is absolutely necessary here and cannot be omitted from the interpretation of quantum theory.[4]
Niels Bohr, also a founder of the Copenhagen interpretation, wrote:
all unambiguous information concerning atomic objects is derived from the permanent marks such as a spot on a photographic plate, caused by the impact of an electron left on the bodies which define the experimental conditions. Far from involving any special intricacy, the irreversible amplification effects on which the recording of the presence of atomic objects rests rather remind us of the essential irreversibility inherent in the very concept of observation. The description of atomic phenomena has in these respects a perfectly objective character, in the sense that no explicit reference is made to any individual observer and that therefore, with proper regard to relativistic exigencies, no ambiguity is involved in the communication of information.[5]
Likewise, Asher Peres stated that "observers" in quantum physics are
similar to the ubiquitous "observers" who send and receive light signals in special relativity. Obviously, this terminology does not imply the actual presence of human beings. These fictitious physicists may as well be inanimate automata that can perform all the required tasks, if suitably programmed.[6]: 12
Critics of the special role of the observer also point out that observers can themselves be observed, leading to paradoxes such as that of Wigner's friend; and that it is not clear how much consciousness is required. As John Bell inquired, "Was the wave function waiting to jump for thousands of millions of years until a single-celled living creature appeared? Or did it have to wait a little longer for some highly qualified measurer—with a PhD?"[7]
Anthropocentric interpretationedit
The prominence of seemingly subjective or anthropocentric ideas like "observer" in the early development of the theory has been a continuing source of disquiet and philosophical dispute.[8] A number of new-age religious or philosophical views give the observer a more special role, or place constraints on who or what can be an observer. There is no credible peer-reviewed research that backs such claims. As an example of such claims, Fritjof Capra declared, "The crucial feature of atomic physics is that the human observer is not only necessary to observe the properties of an object, but is necessary even to define these properties."[9]
^ abSchlosshauer, Maximilian; Kofler, Johannes; Zeilinger, Anton (2013-08-01). "A snapshot of foundational attitudes toward quantum mechanics". Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B. 44 (3): 222–230. arXiv:1301.1069. Bibcode:2013SHPMP..44..222S. doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2013.04.004. S2CID 55537196.
^John Stewart Bell, 1981, "Quantum Mechanics for Cosmologists". In C. J. Isham, R. Penrose and D.W. Sciama (eds.), Quantum Gravity 2: A Second Oxford Symposium. Oxford: Clarendon Press, p. 611.
^Mermin, N. David (2019). "Making better sense of quantum mechanics". Reports on Progress in Physics. 82 (1): 012002. arXiv:1809.01639. Bibcode:2019RPPh...82a2002M. doi:10.1088/1361-6633/aae2c6. PMID 30232960. S2CID 52299438.
observer, quantum, physics, some, interpretations, quantum, mechanics, posit, central, role, observer, quantum, phenomenon, quantum, mechanical, observer, tied, issue, observer, effect, where, measurement, necessarily, requires, interacting, with, physical, ob. Some interpretations of quantum mechanics posit a central role for an observer of a quantum phenomenon 1 The quantum mechanical observer is tied to the issue of observer effect where a measurement necessarily requires interacting with the physical object being measured affecting its properties through the interaction The term observable has gained a technical meaning denoting a Hermitian operator that represents a measurement 2 55 Contents 1 Description 2 Anthropocentric interpretation 3 See also 4 ReferencesDescription editThe Copenhagen interpretation which is the most widely accepted interpretation of quantum mechanics among physicists 1 3 248 posits that an observer or a measurement is merely a physical process One of the founders of the Copenhagen interpretation Werner Heisenberg wrote Of course the introduction of the observer must not be misunderstood to imply that some kind of subjective features are to be brought into the description of nature The observer has rather only the function of registering decisions i e processes in space and time and it does not matter whether the observer is an apparatus or a human being but the registration i e the transition from the possible to the actual is absolutely necessary here and cannot be omitted from the interpretation of quantum theory 4 Niels Bohr also a founder of the Copenhagen interpretation wrote all unambiguous information concerning atomic objects is derived from the permanent marks such as a spot on a photographic plate caused by the impact of an electron left on the bodies which define the experimental conditions Far from involving any special intricacy the irreversible amplification effects on which the recording of the presence of atomic objects rests rather remind us of the essential irreversibility inherent in the very concept of observation The description of atomic phenomena has in these respects a perfectly objective character in the sense that no explicit reference is made to any individual observer and that therefore with proper regard to relativistic exigencies no ambiguity is involved in the communication of information 5 Likewise Asher Peres stated that observers in quantum physics are similar to the ubiquitous observers who send and receive light signals in special relativity Obviously this terminology does not imply the actual presence of human beings These fictitious physicists may as well be inanimate automata that can perform all the required tasks if suitably programmed 6 12 Critics of the special role of the observer also point out that observers can themselves be observed leading to paradoxes such as that of Wigner s friend and that it is not clear how much consciousness is required As John Bell inquired Was the wave function waiting to jump for thousands of millions of years until a single celled living creature appeared Or did it have to wait a little longer for some highly qualified measurer with a PhD 7 Anthropocentric interpretation editThe prominence of seemingly subjective or anthropocentric ideas like observer in the early development of the theory has been a continuing source of disquiet and philosophical dispute 8 A number of new age religious or philosophical views give the observer a more special role or place constraints on who or what can be an observer There is no credible peer reviewed research that backs such claims As an example of such claims Fritjof Capra declared The crucial feature of atomic physics is that the human observer is not only necessary to observe the properties of an object but is necessary even to define these properties 9 See also editObserver physics Quantum foundationsReferences edit a b Schlosshauer Maximilian Kofler Johannes Zeilinger Anton 2013 08 01 A snapshot of foundational attitudes toward quantum mechanics Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B 44 3 222 230 arXiv 1301 1069 Bibcode 2013SHPMP 44 222S doi 10 1016 j shpsb 2013 04 004 S2CID 55537196 Rieffel Eleanor G Polak Wolfgang H 2011 03 04 Quantum Computing A Gentle Introduction MIT Press ISBN 978 0 262 01506 6 Jammer Max 1974 The Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics John Wiley and Sons ISBN 0 471 43958 4 Werner Heisenberg Physics and Philosophy p 137 Niels Bohr 1958 Quantum Physics and Philosophy Causality and Complementarity Essays 1958 1962 on Atomic Physics and Human Knowledge p 3 Peres Asher 1993 Quantum Theory Concepts and Methods Kluwer ISBN 0 7923 2549 4 OCLC 28854083 John Stewart Bell 1981 Quantum Mechanics for Cosmologists In C J Isham R Penrose and D W Sciama eds Quantum Gravity 2 A Second Oxford Symposium Oxford Clarendon Press p 611 Mermin N David 2019 Making better sense of quantum mechanics Reports on Progress in Physics 82 1 012002 arXiv 1809 01639 Bibcode 2019RPPh 82a2002M doi 10 1088 1361 6633 aae2c6 PMID 30232960 S2CID 52299438 Fritjof Capra The Tao of Physics p 127 nbsp This quantum mechanics related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Observer quantum physics amp oldid 1193383505, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
