Quantum theory as a description of robust experiments: Derivation of the Pauli equation

It is shown that the Pauli equation and the concept of spin naturally emerge from logical inference applied to experiments on a charged particle under the conditions that (i) space is homogeneous (ii) the observed events are logically independent, and (iii) the observed frequency distributions are r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of physics Vol. 359; pp. 166 - 186
Main Authors: De Raedt, Hans, Katsnelson, Mikhail I., Donker, Hylke C., Michielsen, Kristel
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: New York Elsevier Inc 01-08-2015
Elsevier BV
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Summary:It is shown that the Pauli equation and the concept of spin naturally emerge from logical inference applied to experiments on a charged particle under the conditions that (i) space is homogeneous (ii) the observed events are logically independent, and (iii) the observed frequency distributions are robust with respect to small changes in the conditions under which the experiment is carried out. The derivation does not take recourse to concepts of quantum theory and is based on the same principles which have already been shown to lead to e.g. the Schrödinger equation and the probability distributions of pairs of particles in the singlet or triplet state. Application to Stern–Gerlach experiments with chargeless, magnetic particles, provides additional support for the thesis that quantum theory follows from logical inference applied to a well-defined class of experiments. •The Pauli equation is obtained through logical inference applied to robust experiments on a charged particle.•The concept of spin appears as an inference resulting from the treatment of two-valued data.•The same reasoning yields the quantum theoretical description of neutral magnetic particles.•Logical inference provides a framework to establish a bridge between objective knowledge gathered through experiments and their description in terms of concepts.
ISSN:0003-4916
1096-035X
DOI:10.1016/j.aop.2015.04.017