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Science & Technology

Multiple realities can exist at the same time

By T.K. Randall
March 22, 2019 · Comment icon 45 comments

The world of quantum physics is very strange indeed. Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 Kuroiniisan
A mind-boggling quantum physics experiment has seemingly confirmed the existence of multiple realities.
The research sought to answer a decades-old physics question first posed by physicist Eugene Wigner in the 1960s. Known as "Wigner's friend", the idea puts forward a situation in which an observer in an isolated laboratory measures the polarization of a photon.

Initially, the photon is in a state of superposition - meaning that its polarization is both horizontal and vertical at the same time. When the laboratory observer measures the polarization, the particle assumes a fixed state, however for someone outside the laboratory who doesn't know the result of the measurements, the photon is still in a state of superposition.

The reality of both these individuals, therefore, differs - even though both are technically correct.
Now, several decades on, scientists have finally been able to conduct an experiment to actually test this concept and demonstrate that, in quantum physics at least, multiple realities can exist.

"Theoretical advances were needed to formulate the problem in a way that is testable," said study co-author Martin Ringbauer from the University of Innsbruck in Austria. "Then, the experimental side needed developments on the control of quantum systems to implement something like that."

The findings seemed to confirm that Wigner's observations held up in practice.

"It seems that, in contrast to classical physics, measurement results cannot be considered absolute truth but must be understood relative to the observer who performed the measurement," said Ringbauer.

Source: Live Science | Comments (45)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #36 Posted by Impedancer 5 years ago
I agree strangely it feels as if i replied to this yesterday. Yes ground hog day is quite funny at times. Bill Murray is one cool dude !
Comment icon #37 Posted by sci-nerd 5 years ago
SR predates QM, and does not take QM into account. That is why I asked you to elaborate. Maybe you've seen something that the world missed?
Comment icon #38 Posted by danydandan 5 years ago
While I agree with you regarding the timeline, quantum states didn't just pop into existence once we established they did. So if we go back to Maxwell's equations and far beyond superpositions (QM) were always there. I suppose if you are using time dilation as being the possible cause of superposition you could say (it's rather weak argument) that superposition is explained by special relativity. Could you use the twin paradox, mix in with entanglement to create an allegorical take to the explain the principle behind it? I don't think so.
Comment icon #39 Posted by Rlyeh 5 years ago
"What the Bleep Do We Know" is new age woo.  Actual scientists regard it as trash.
Comment icon #40 Posted by danydandan 5 years ago
I can confirm, we know loads and loads of stuff.
Comment icon #41 Posted by Manwon Lender 5 years ago
I some how confused physics / space time with quantum mechanics, thanks for the correction.
Comment icon #42 Posted by danydandan 5 years ago
They are the same thing's!
Comment icon #43 Posted by Rlyeh 5 years ago
The movie is idiotic though.  Happy thoughts can magically affect water.
Comment icon #44 Posted by Manwon Lender 5 years ago
I really like the same things! Peace
Comment icon #45 Posted by Buzz_Light_Year 5 years ago
I tried to stop an industrial fan ONCE with my left ring finger. The finger is still there but it has definitely seen better days.  NO it wasn't on purpose either.


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