nLab Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph theorem

Idea

In foundations of quantum mechanics, the Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph theorem is a no-go theorem which puts metaphysical requirements on any ψ-epistemic interpretation of quantum mechanics. Specifically, models of quantum theory may not simultaneously be ψ-epistemic and also preparation independent.

Related concepts

• Bayesian interpretation of quantum mechanics

References

The theorem was originally introduced in:

• Matthew F. Pusey?, Jonathan Barrett?, Terry Rudolph?, On the reality of the quantum state, Nature Physics 8, (2012) 475–478 [doi:10.1038/nphys2309, arxiv:1111.3328]

See also:

• Wikipedia: Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph theorem

A wider discussion of ψ-ontology:

• Matthew Saul Leifer?, Is the quantum state real? An extended review of ψ-ontology theorems, Quanta 3, (2014) 67–155 [doi:10.12743/quanta.v3i1.22, arxiv:1409.1570]