HUMOUR: quantum head job

From: scerir (scerir@libero.it)
Date: Fri Oct 12 2001 - 11:26:01 MDT


A single particle is prepared in a (weird) superposition.
The superposition consists in being in three boxes.

The initial state is |psi_1>
|psi_1> = 3 ^ (-1/2) ( |A> + |B> + |C> )

and the final state is |psi_2>
|psi_2> = 3 ^ (-1/2) ( |A> + |B> - |C> )

where A, B and C are the three boxes.

If you search, in the intermediate time, in the box A
you'll find the particle. Otherwise the state would be
|psi_huh> = 2 ^ (-1/2) ( |B> + |C> ) which is forbidden
being orthogonal to the final state.

If you search, in intermediate time, in the box B
you'll find the particle. Otherwise the state would be
|psi_hoh> = 2 ^ (-1/2) ( |A> + |C> ) which is forbidden
being orthogonal to the final state.

Then the single particle is in the box A (searching in A)
and in the box B (searching in B).

What about searching in A *and* B? I don't know.
And it's too late now. And QM is a nasty trick.

 



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