Quantum zeno effect (Introduction)

by dhw, Thursday, August 22, 2013, 12:52 (4112 days ago) @ David Turell

DAVID: More on using Zeno to help with quantum computing:-http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=quantum-paradox-seen-in-diamond&WT...-Once again, thank you for keeping us informed on so many fronts. Among the comments is the following by EyesWideOpen:-"When they measured the NV center in this way, the researchers found that the oscillation between the two states was disrupted ... just as would be expected if the quantum Zeno state were operating.-Analogy: Suppose I want to observe a cat walking around in the dark in my house. I shine a flashlight on it, and it remains in a seemingly frozen state as it hisses at me. The moment I stop observing it by turning off the flashlight, it proceeds to walk around the house again.-My literal observation did not freeze the cat. The bright light frighted it, and it hissed me as it hunched down, frozen in fear.-Whatever they're doing to measure the diamond's state is causing the effect they're seeing. Like the flashlight, there's a perfectly rational explanation. It is behaving "like" this paradox, but it has not proven it."-I don't know if EyesWideOpen is right or not, but I do find this kind of analogy extremely helpful. Perhaps Ruth might find it useful too for her new book. One other thought struck me on reading it: that panpsychism may have a role to play in these quantum effects. But I'm in no position to develop that thought!