Title: Schr
1Schrödinger's Cat Research on the Radical
Subjective Solution of the Measurement Problem.
Dick Bierman Stephen Whitmarsh, University of
Amsterdam Presented at QuantumMind, Salzburg,
July 15-21, 2007
2Projection Postulate
- Quantum Physics Potentialities
- Classical Physics Reality
3Projection Postulate
- Quantum Physics Potentialities
- Classical Physics Reality
Collapse of wave function by what is commonly
called a measurement.
4(No Transcript)
5NO !!!!
6Measurement problem
- If the measurement is affecting the measured
- it is extremely important to precisely define
what - constitutes a measurement
7Measurement problem
- Definition 1
- A measurement is something that you do with a
measurement device. - Usable in the daily practice of physics,
- but incorrect a problem!
-
- (von Neumann)
8Possible solutions
- Many World solution (Everett)
- Deterministic solution (Bohm)
- Objective Reduction (Penrose)
- Radical subjective solution (Wigner, Stapp)
9Radical Solution
- . The reduction of the state vector is a
physical event which occurs only when there is an
interaction between the physical measuring
apparatus and the psyche of some observer.. -
- Hall, J., Kim, C., McElroy, and Shimony, A.
(1977). - Wave-packet reduction as a medium of
communication. - Foundations of Physics 7 (1977), 759-767.
10Experimental Setup Hall, 1977
11Experimental Setup Hall, 1977
Decay
12Experimental Setup Hall, 1977
50 of cases pre-observation
13Experimental Setup Hall, 1977
1 µs delay
14Experimental Setup Hall, 1977
(final) observation
15Assumptions
- Consciousness of first observer collapses the
state before second observation. - Final Observer (brain) is sensitive for the
difference between collapsed and non-collapsed
state - Final Observer can report this verbally
(consciously)
16Weaknesses in Hall, 1977
- Assumption 1 is violated Delay between first and
second observation too short (e.g. Libet, 1979). - Assumption 3 is inconsistent The dependent
variable is a conscious verbal report, too late! - Libet et al. (1979) Subjective Referral of the
Timing for a Conscious Sensory Experience. Brain
102, 193-224.
17Improvements in replication
- Hall et al. 1977
- Delay 1 µs
- Dependent variable verbal report
- Amsterdam 2003
- Delay 1000 ms
- Dependent variable brain signals
18First Amsterdam setup
PRE-OBSERVER
OBSERVER
19First Amsterdam setup
EEG measurement
Deadtime 2000ms
Delay 1000ms
Geiger Counter
OBSERVER
50
Radioactive source
PRE-OBSERVER
20Analysis procedure
EEG trace
Preobserved beeps NOT preobserved beeps
OBSERVER
21Analysis procedure
EEG trace
ERP
Average EEG from onset-time of event (beep)
22Results first Amsterdam Setup
Bierman, D.J. (2003). Does Consciousness
Collapse the Wave-Packet? Mind and Matter 1(1),
pp. 45-57
23Conclusions study 1
- Radical Subjective Reduction supported
- A quantum-measurement is only complete when
acted upon by consciousness. - Copenhagen interpretation supported
- The collapse of the wave packet occurs with
measurement, creating reality from potentiality. - But wait!
- Strong claims need strong evidence, so a second
study was performed
24Alternative explanations
- Sensory Cueing (ultra sounds)
- EM radiation
- Chance
25Improvements in replication
- Amsterdam 2003
- Audio Speakers
- 16 EEG electrodes
- Quantum source of measurement
- Amsterdam 2004
- Air-pressure headphones
- 32 EEG electrodes
- Quantum Classical source of measurement
26Analysis procedure
- So now weve got 4 different conditions
No pre-observer Pre-observer
Quantum ERP ERP
Classic ERP ERP
27Hypothesis
- Effects of pre-observation in pre-conscious
time-interval (0 - 350 ms) replication of 2003
experiment - No effects of pre-observation when source is
Classic the state-vector should already be
collapsed
28Second Amsterdam setup
EEG measurement
Deadtime 2000ms
Geiger Counter
Delay 1000ms
50
Timed Delay
OBSERVER
PRE-OBSERVER
29Second Amsterdam setup
EEG measurement
Deadtime 2000ms
Geiger Counter
Delay 1000ms
50
Timed Delay
OBSERVER
PRE-OBSERVER
30Results
Bierman, D. J., Whitmarsh, S. (2006),
Consciousness and Quantum Physics Empirical
Research on the Subjective Reduction of the State
Vector. (Book Chapter) The Emerging Physics of
Consciousness, The Frontiers Collection.
Tuszynski, J. A. (Ed.).
31Results
32Results
- No effects of pre-observation when source is
Classic - No effects found of pre-observation (thus no
direct replication of 2003 study)
No pre-observer Pre-observer
Quantum ERP ERP
Classic ERP ERP
33Discussion (no effects of pre-observation)
- Uncertainty about the stimulus-origin was
introduced by the addition of a classical source - Conscious observation of the stimuli did not
yield a definite measurement because it remained
unknown what was actually measured (a quantum or
a classic event) - So Subjective Collapse by the pre-observer was
actually prevented!
34Discussion (effect of quantum/singular source)
- A different state of event stimuli was still
- introduced (quantum/classical)
- Since the pre-observer could not collapse the
quantum state, the effect should still be seen on
the final-observers EEG - Thats what we found!
35Exploration Quantum/Classic
36Exploration Quantum/Classic
37Results
- No effects of pre-observation when source was
Classic - No effects found of pre-observation (thus no
direct replication of 2003 study) - Effect of event-origin (quantum/classic) in
final-observers brain signals!
No pre-observer Pre-observer
Quantum ERP ERP
Classic ERP ERP
38Alternative explanations
- Sensory Cueing (ultra sounds)
- EM radiation
- Chance
- Differences in ISI / decay-time distribution
- Shorter intervals with quantum vs. classical
events post-hoc.
39Conclusion
- Although no direct replication of the 2003
findings, - The second Amsterdam setup is still consistent
with the subjective reduction solution of the
measurement problem - But wait lets try to reconcile the two (effect
of pre-observer classic source)
40Reconciliation in third Adam setup
41Sensitivities
- Care was taken to maintain exactly the same
time-distributions of the quantum and classical
events.
42Preliminary Results
- Analysis done over only a fraction of intended
number of subjects (20 out of 64).
43Conclusion
- The support for the idea that consciousness
collapses the wave function has evaporated. - Initial results due to differences in decay-time
distribution? - However, it could be that the assumptions
underlying this approach are invalid - Consciousness may be not just observing, but
measuring - We will find out!
44Thank you for your attention.
45Shape of difference waves