Relational Quantum Mechanics
Relational quantum mechanics (RQM) is an approach to understanding quantum mechanics that places emphasis on the relational nature of physical interactions. It was first proposed by Carlo Rovelli and subsequently developed by various physicists, including Rovelli himself and Lee Smolin.
In standard quantum mechanics, the state of a system is described by a wave function, and the evolution of the wave function is governed by the Schrödinger equation. The wave function provides a complete description of the system, and measurements are considered to be interactions between the system and an external observer.
In contrast, RQM seeks to remove the privileged role of the observer and focus on the interactions between physical systems. It emphasizes the relational nature of quantum phenomena, where the properties of a system are defined by its relationships with other systems. RQM considers the wave function to be a description of the correlations between systems rather than an intrinsic property of a single system.
According to RQM, the fundamental elements of reality are not isolated quantum systems, but rather the relations between systems. The state of a system is defined by its correlations with other systems, and measurements are interactions that establish or modify these correlations. In this framework, the wave function does not represent an objective reality but rather captures the information about the correlations between systems.
RQM has been developed as a response to the measurement problem in quantum mechanics and aims to provide a more coherent and ontologically grounded understanding of quantum phenomena. It offers an alternative to other interpretations of quantum mechanics, such as the Copenhagen interpretation or the many-worlds interpretation. RQM also has connections to other areas of physics, such as quantum gravity and information theory.
It is important to note that the field of quantum interpretations is still a subject of ongoing research and debate among physicists and philosophers. Different interpretations offer different perspectives on the fundamental nature of quantum mechanics and the nature of reality. Relational quantum mechanics is one of several approaches attempting to provide a comprehensive and consistent understanding of quantum phenomena.
