Disappearance of the Measurement Paradox in a Metaplectic Extension of Quantum Dynamics

Daniel I. Fivel

Published 2003-11-21Version 1

It is shown that Schrodinger dynamics can be embedded in a larger dynamical theory which extends its symmetry group from the unitary group to the full metaplectic group, i.e. the group of linear canonical transformations. Among the newly admitted non-unitary processes are analogues of the classical measurement process which makes it possible to treat the wave-function as an objective property of the quantum mechanical system on the same footing as the phase-space coordinates of a classical system. The notion of "observables" that in general have values only when measured can then be dispensed with, and the measurement paradox disappears.