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Trapped Ion Quantum Computing Quantum Foundations

A reason why we do not observe Schrödinger's cats

arXiv
Authors: Fabio Siringo

Year

2026

Paper ID

63897

Status

Preprint

Abstract Read

~2 min

Abstract Words

174

Citations

0

Abstract

A reason is discussed (may be not the only one) for why we do not see any superposition of macroscopic states in the real world. Under the general assumption that quantum macrostates are statistical ensembles of microstates, it is shown that any superposition of macrostates is reduced in a very short time by the unitary dynamics of the ordinary Schrödinger equation, deducing the Born rule without having to postulate it. In more detail, the macroscopic and microscopic degrees of freedom are decoupled in the Schrödinger equation, yielding an effective stochastic equation for the macroscopic variables, with the ensemble average of the microscopic amplitudes that acts as a self-generated internal white noise. The stochastic equation is shown to be a reducing Itô equation if some general causality conditions are met, predicting a very quick collapse of any macroscopic superposition upon formation, with probabilities which satisfy the Born rule. In the context of the von Neumann measurement scheme, the relevance of the result is discussed as a simple dynamical solution of the measurement problem.

Why This Paper Matters

  • This paper contributes to the Quantum Foundations research area in the Quantum Articles archive.
  • It adds a 2026 reference point for readers tracking recent quantum research.
  • A reason is discussed (may be not the only one) for why we do not see any superposition of macroscopic states in the real world.

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Current Paper #63897 #69039 SAT, MaxSAT, and SMT for QLDPC ... #69038 Physically Constrained Ensemble... #69036 CARVE-Q: Quantum-Proposed, Clas... #69035 A Modular Approach to Succinct ...

External citation index: OpenAlex citation signal • updated 2026-06-13 20:52:06

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