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A no-summoning theorem in relativistic quantum theory

2012; Springer Science+Business Media; Volume: 12; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/s11128-012-0431-6

1573-1332

Adrian Kent,

Quantum Electrodynamics and Casimir Effect

Alice gives Bob an unknown localized physical state at some point P. At some point Q in the causal future of P, Alice will ask Bob for the state back. Bob knows this, but does not know at which point Q until the request is made. Bob can satisfy Alice's summons, with arbitrarily short delay, for a quantum state in Galilean space-time or a classical state in Minkowski space-time. However, given an unknown quantum state in Minkowski space-time, he cannot generally fulfil her summons. This {\it no-summoning theorem} is a fundamental feature of, and intrinsic to, relativistic quantum theory. It follows from the no-signalling principle and the no-cloning theorem, but not from either alone.