Analysis of the Christensen et al. Test of Local Realism

摘要

The recent Clauser-Horne (CH)-based Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm (EPRB) experiment performed by Christensen et al. is analyzed. The data analysis performed by Christensen et al. is shown to rely upon post-selection (data discarding) that produces an artifactual violation of the CH inequality. A corrected analysis that properly includes all of the experimental data is developed, showing that the Christensen et al. experiment confirms locality and disconfirms the quantum joint prediction. To establish a firm methodological ground for this conclusion, objections to the use of inequalities to address foundational issues are considered and shown to be invalid. The CH inequality is considered and interpreted in this light. It is shown that, applied correctly, the CH inequality can validly test aspects of locality. The paper also contributes to promulgation of robust and correct data analysis by describing the important degrees of freedom that affect the analysis, and that must be addressed in the analysis of any experiment.