On the Dynamical Solution of Quantum Measurement Problem

V. P. Belavkin

Published 2005-12-21Version 1

The development of quantum measurement theory, initiated by von Neumann, only indicated a possibility for resolution of the interpretational crisis of quantum mechanics. We do this by divorcing the algebra of the dynamical generators and the algebra of the actual observables, or beables. It is shown that within this approach quantum causality can be rehabilitated in the form of a superselection rule for compatibility of the past beables with the potential future. This rule, together with the self-compatibility of the measurements insuring the consistency of the histories, is called the nondemolition, or causality principle in modern quantum theory. The application of this rule in the form of the dynamical commutation relations leads in particular to the derivation of the von Neumann projection postulate. This gives a quantum stochastic solution, in the form of the dynamical filtering equations, of the notorious measurement problem which was tackled unsuccessfully by many famous physicists starting with Schroedinger and Bohr.