Logical independence and quantum randomness

Author(s)
Tomasz Paterek, Johannes Kofler, Robert Prevedel, Peter Klimek, Markus Aspelmeyer, Anton Zeilinger, Caslav Brukner
Abstract

We propose a link between logical independence and quantum physics. We demonstrate that quantum systems in the eigenstates of Pauli group operators are capable of encoding mathematical axioms and show that Pauli group quantum measurements are capable of revealing whether or not a given proposition is logically dependent on the axiomatic system. Whenever a mathematical proposition is logically independent of the axioms encoded in the measured state, the measurement associated with the proposition gives random outcomes. This allows for an experimental test of logical independence. Conversely, it also allows for an explanation of the probabilities of random outcomes observed in Pauli group measurements from logical independence without invoking quantum theory. The axiomatic systems we study can be completed and are therefore not subject to Gödel's incompleteness theorem.

Organisation(s)
Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information
External organisation(s)
Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW), University of Waterloo (UW), Medizinische Universität Wien
Journal
New Journal of Physics
Volume
12
No. of pages
10
ISSN
1367-2630
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/12/1/013019
Publication date
2010
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103025 Quantum mechanics
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/6b05430c-3139-4b45-8c9e-0827e950c7d3