Interaction between classical and quantum systems: a new approach to quantum measurement. II. Theoretical considerations

Abstract

We develop further a new approach to the quantum measurement process. In this approach, which we proposed in a recent paper, the apparatus is treated as a classical system; however, the classical apparatus is directly coupled to the quantum system. A principle of integrity, which requires that the observables of the classical apparatus retain their classical integrity, is introduced. We examine the constraints which this principle places upon the coupling between the apparatus and the quantum system. To illustrate our approach we use a model loosely based on the Stern-Gerlach experiment. For this model we exhibit a coupling which satisfies the principle of integrity.