The role of the Hamiltonian in the interpretation of quantum mechanics

Abstract

In this paper we propose a new realist, non-collapse interpretation of quantum mechanics, which moves away from the prevailing trend in the subject by paying special attention to the physical relevance of the interpretation. In particular, our proposal endows the Hamiltonian of the system, systematically ignored in the traditional interpretations, with a central role: it distinguishes between systems and subsystems and is the main ingredient in the selection of the definite-valued observables. We show how this interpretation solves the measurement problem, both in the ideal and in the non-ideal version, and we argue for the physical relevance of the new definite-value assignment. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.