1996/09/02 by Berg, Bernd A.
#Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #High Energy Physics - Phenomenology (hep-ph) #Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.hep-ph/9609232
It is considered to re-formulate quantum theory as it appears: A theory of continuous and causal time evolution, interrupted by discontinuous and stochastic jumps. To develop the (missing) theory of jumps a heuristic-phenomenological approach is suggested. Relying on a global reduction process, a hypothesis is introduced postulating spontaneous collapse of superpositions of states which describe spontaneous absorption or emission. The collapse probability determines a mean collapse time τc = b ℏ / \triangle E, where b is a dimensionless constant and \triangle E is the difference in energy distribution between alternative branches. Ramsey atomic beam spectroscopy yields a lower bound on b and avalanche photodiodes give an upper bound, such that 1.35⋅ 1011 < b < 3.8⋅ 1021. Ample opportunities for experimental improvements exist.