Modified Quantum Dynamics and the Measurement Problem

下谷教授正在研究修正的含时薛定谔方程，这是控制标准量子动力学的方程。他将注意薛定谔方程的非线性修正和以前的实验对其可行性的影响。然而，他的大部分注意力将致力于方程的随机修改。这些方法的优点是，在有限的时间内，在装置变量的不同本征态的叠加中，除了一个分量之外，所有的分量都可以被消除，从而通过物理过程产生确定的测量结果。这样，量子力学中臭名昭著的测量问题（它是潜能实现问题的一个特例）将在物理上而不是在认识论上得到解决。目前，对薛定谔方程的随机修正研究得最好的是吉亚尔迪、里米尼和韦伯的随机修正，但该项目旨在对他们的理论进行重要改进：摆脱位置表象，相对论不变性，以及在与仪器相互作用的早期状态下减少波包。这项工作是Shimony教授研究量子力学基础的更大项目的一部分。

Professor Shimony is investigating modifications of the time- dependent Schrodinger equation, which is the equation governing standard quantum dynamics. He will pay some attention to nonlinear modifications of the Schrodinger equation and to the bearing of previous experiments upon their viability. Most of his attention, however, will be devoted to stochastic modifications of the equation. These have the virtue that in a finite time all but one component in a superposition of distinct eigenstates of the apparatus variable can be extinguished, thus yielding a definite measurement result by a physical process. In this way, the notorious measurement problem of quantum mechanics (which is a special case of the problem of the actualization of potentialities) would be solved physically rather than epistemologically. At present the best explored stochastic modifications of the Schrodinger equation is that of Ghiardi, Rimini, and Weber, but the project aims at important improvements of their theory: freedom from the position representation, relativistic invariance, and reduction of the wave packet at an early state of interaction with the apparatus. This work is part of Professor Shimony's larger project of investigating the foundations of quantum mechanics.