CRITICAL REVIEW OF FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS IN PHYSICS Part 2 – The Observer Factor
The mathematical principles of quantum mechanics are defined in the extended probability space for complex-valued probability amplitude functions. The process of this extension was going on in parallel with the formation of the principles of quantum mechanics and in the absence of the corresponding experience of such extensions. Therefore, some provisions arising from the physical and mathematical principles of this mechanics were not completely transparent and understandable to all physicists. For this reason, some physicists made incorrect statements based mainly on incorrect interpretations of these principles. However, this did not greatly hinder the advancement of the correct ideas of quantum mechanics. Since the 90s, an intensive resuscitation of old incorrect provisions of quantum mechanics and the interpretations corresponding to them began, and on their basis – the creation of new ones. Because these misconceptions concern the foundations of quantum mechanics and have become myths over the past three decades, they are already making it much more difficult to move forward in the right direction. We have assigned the title of the main myth to the “quantum computer” and use it as a trigger for a critical analysis of incorrect statements and interpretations. In this part of the text we discuss the “observer factor” because this issue plays an important role in the correct understanding of all the principles of quantum mechanics and its misunderstanding plays an important role in the formation of the details of the above-mentioned myth. In this part of the text, both the “observer factor” and the history of the appearance of this factor in physical discussions of quantum theory are analyzed. A detailed analysis of this issue will facilitate the process of understanding the erroneous details of the “quantum computer” myth.
Keywords: quantum computer; observer factor; quantum entanglement; quantum superposition; quantum computing; “Thing in itself” and “Thing for us”
