"Comments on Kate Becker's article "Rescuing Reality" discussing Matt Leifer's FQXi grant:
I found the subject matter of Matt Leifer's FQXi grant very interesting since I've been studying the question of quantum theory and reality for the past 10 years or so. As most everyone knows, the current orthodox "physicist" model of a quantum particle really does challenge if not contradict reality. I found Leifer's possible approach to restoring reality quite creative.
In his research efforts, I hope Leifer examines a new proposed model of a quantum particle that's been debated and under discussion for the past five years in the physics community. I call this model the engineering "mechanicist" model which requires no non-reality based assumptions such as "entanglement", the "qubit", and/or "simultaneous multiple paths" for free particles. The main claim of the "mechanicist" model is that it actually does satisfy previously collected quantum test data, in particular, all "Bell test" types of data examining the spin measurements on twin particle spins.
What are the differences between the "physicist" and the "mechanicist" models of quantum particles? Briefly, to simplify one characteristic, consider the one-dimensional Schrodinger probability distribution f(x). The "physicist" model assumes that "x" is the "true" but "hidden" particle position that is probabilistic and non-existent in real time. This true position only comes into existence when it is "measured." In the "mechanicist" model, on the other hand, physical properties, such as an object's true position, can never exist in a probabilistic state. Every particle, including each quantum particle, has a true real time position which follows the classical and relativistic laws of nature. That position happens to be the average value of "x" derived from the distribution f(x). For a particle that has mass, it's the "center of mass" that is the particles true position in reality. In the "mechanicist" model, the Schrodinger "x" is a "random variable," not a physical property, which describes the probabilistic "outcome" of a measurement procedure or other process. It is the measurement process itself that is probabilistic and not the true position prior to measurement. The Schrodinger f(x) describes the internal structure of a quantum particle which gives rise to the probability distribution of measurements.
The requirement for "locality" is satisfied in the "mechanicist" model by having the true positions of twin particles, which are its "averages," be equal at the moment that the particles fly off in different directions. In the case of particle spin, twin particles are in "pure" spin states about fixed complementary axes. This satisfies all test results in the conduction of so-called Bell tests.
Attached is an article entitled "An Engineering Mechanicist's Look at Quantum Theory" which describes in more detail the comparison of the "physicist" and the "mechanicist" models of quantum particles.
Ronald Racicot, PhD, Case Western Reserve University
ronaldracicot@gmail.comAttachment #1: MechanicistLookAtQuantumTheory.pdf