Transactional interpretation - Definition and Overview

The transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics (TIQM) by Professor John Cramer is an unusual interpretation of quantum mechanics that describes quantum interactions in terms of a standing wave formed by retarded (forward in time) and advanced (backward in time) waves. The author argues that it avoids the philosophical problems with the Copenhagen interpretation and the role of the observer, and elegantly resolves various quantum paradoxes. Notably, it is claimed to be consistent with Shahriar Afshar's experiment.

The idea of the possible existence in Nature of both advanced and retarded waves as lawful solutions to Maxwell's equations was proposed by R. Feynman and J. Wheeler in 1945 (cited in original paper by J. Cramer). They used the idea to solve the problem of the infinite own energy of an electron. Later they refuted the idea of back-in-time waves.

J. Cramer revived the idea of two waves to formulate his original and elegant interpretation of quantum theory. According to TIQM, any source emits usual (retarded) wave of half the observed amplitude, while the detector emits a corresponding advanced wave of the same half amplitude. The phases of retarded and advanced waves are correlated in such a way that these two waves interfere positively in the space-time region, corresponding to true (observed) wave propagation, and they interfere negatively in all the other space-time (i.e., before emitting point and after absorption point).

Professor Cramer uses TIQM in teaching quantum mechanics at the University of Washington in Seattle.

External links

• The Transactional Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (http://www.npl.washington.edu/npl/int_rep/tiqm/TI_toc.html) - John Cramer's original paper
• An Overview of the Transactional Interpretation (http://www.npl.washington.edu/npl/int_rep/ti_over/ti_over.html)
• Photon Emission (http://www.johnkharms.com/photon.htm)