Essay Abstract
One of the paradoxes associated with the orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics is the placement of the boundary between observer and observer, i.e., measurement and the collapse of the wave-function. Much has been written about this, including philosophical debate about the meaning of measurement, with extremists even invoking an anthropic principal -- that we are necessary as intelligent observers. Using Schrödinger's Cat as example, I attempt to show how such a boundary can be viewed as an artifice and made irrelevant. This comes about if nonlinear dynamics/chaos leads to uncertainty in describing/choosing quantum states. Such nonlinearities arise naturally from attempts to measure microscopic systems -- or they might arise from other sources such as interaction of such systems with the quantum vacuum. In addition, if we consider statistically meaningful ensembles, there is no need for a single Schrödinger cat to be half-dead, half-alive -- instead, there is a large ensemble of live and dead cats, and classical and quantum mechanics merge without the abrupt boundary. Schrödinger is free to choose a live cat.
Author Bio
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Physics/Astronomy at Michigan State University. B.A. in chemistry, Oberlin College. Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry, Univ. of California, Berkeley. Full Professor at age 32, MSU. 40+ years research in nuclear chemistry/ physics at National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. Many awards, including Sloan Fellowship. Avocation in music as organist/choir director, composer, ragtime pianist and electronics musician, carillonneur. Compositions/performances available on YouTube by searching under Bill McHarris.