Searching for errors in the quantum world

Science Daily  September 18, 2018
Many scientists dream of combining quantum mechanics with the theory of relativity to form a coherent worldview. As actually experiments are not possible, researchers in Switzerland propose a thought experiment to investigate the question whether quantum theory can, in principle, have universal validity. The idea is that, if the answer was yes, it must be possible to employ quantum theory to model complex systems that include agents which are themselves using quantum theory. Analysing the experiment under this presumption, they found that one agent, upon observing a particular measurement outcome, must conclude that another agent has predicted the opposite outcome with certainty. The agents’ conclusions, although all derived within quantum theory, are thus inconsistent. This indicates that quantum theory cannot be extrapolated to complex systems, at least not in a straightforward manner…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE