Can different quantum state vectors correspond to the same physical state? An experimental test. (23rd December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nigg, Daniel; Monz, Thomas; Schindler, Philipp; Martinez, Esteban A; Hennrich, Markus; Blatt, Rainer; Pusey, Matthew F; Rudolph, Terry; Barrett, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: New journal of physics. Volume 18:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Publication Date: 2015-12-23
• Subjects: Pusey–Barrett–Rudolph (PBR) no-go theorem -- ontic- and epistemic model -- quantum foundations and information; Physics -- Periodicals; Physics; Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/18/1/013007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-2630

Abstract

Abstract: A century after the development of quantum theory, the interpretation of a quantum state is still discussed. If a physicist claims to have produced a system with a particular quantum state vector, does this represent directly a physical property of the system, or is the state vector merely a summary of the physicist's information about the system? Assume that a state vector corresponds to a probability distribution over possible values of an unknown physical or 'ontic' state. Then, a recent no-go theorem shows that distinct state vectors with overlapping distributions lead to predictions different from quantum theory. We report an experimental test of these predictions using trapped ions. Within experimental error, the results confirm quantum theory. We analyse which kinds of models are ruled out.