Abstract
The theory itself does not tell us which properties are sufficient for a system to count as a quantum mechanical observer. Thus, it remains an open problem to find a suitable language for characterizing observation. We propose an information-theoretic definition of observer, leading to a mathematical criterion of objectivity using the formalism of Kolmogorov complexity. We also suggest an experimental test of the hypothesis that any system, even much smaller than a human being, can be a quantum mechanical observer.
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Acknowledgements
I am grateful to Vasily Ogryzko for stimulating discussions and to Časlav Brukner, Markus Aspelmeyer, Ognyan Oreshkov and Anton Zeilinger for their remarks and hospitality at the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
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Grinbaum, A. (2013). Quantum Observer, Information Theory and Kolmogorov Complexity. In: Andersen, H., Dieks, D., Gonzalez, W., Uebel, T., Wheeler, G. (eds) New Challenges to Philosophy of Science. The Philosophy of Science in a European Perspective, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5845-2_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5845-2_6
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