Survey of Quantum Mechanics Interpretations: From Foundations to Contemporary Frameworks
A comprehensive arXiv preprint surveys major interpretations of quantum mechanics, from the Copenhagen interpretation to many-worlds and consistent histories frameworks. The article traces how different interpretations address foundational questions about measurement, locality, realism, and the emergence of classical behavior from quantum systems. This overview is significant for understanding ongoing debates about what quantum mechanics reveals about physical reality and for researchers navigating the conceptual landscape of quantum theory.
This arXiv physics preprint provides an introductory survey of key conceptual and interpretational developments in quantum mechanics. It begins with foundational postulates governing Hilbert space structure, state evolution, and measurement, then examines the Copenhagen interpretation and its modern reformulations. The article explores how major theoretical arguments—including the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, Bell's theorem, and Hardy's paradox—probe questions of locality and realism, and discusses the deterministic but nonlocal de Broglie-Bohm theory as an alternative framework. The survey also analyzes the measurement problem, contextuality, objective collapse models, and the role of decoherence in explaining how classical behavior emerges from quantum systems. Finally, it covers interpretational frameworks including many-worlds and consistent histories, aiming to provide a coherent overview of how prominent interpretations address fundamental questions about physical reality.
What's missing
The preprint does not discuss experimental tests or empirical evidence distinguishing between interpretations, nor does it address practical applications of quantum mechanics in technology. Additionally, the survey's scope and selection criteria for 'prominent' interpretations are not explicitly stated.
What different sources said
- arXiv physicsCenter
An Introduction to the Foundations and Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics
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