Quantum observer, information theory and kolmogorov complexity

Alexei Grinbaum

pp. 59-72

in: Hanne Andersen, Dennis Dieks, Thomas Uebel, Wenceslao J. Gonzalez, Gregory Wheeler (eds), New challenges to philosophy of science, Berlin, Springer, 2013

Abstract

The theory itself does not tell us which properties are sufficient for a system to count as a quantum mechanical observer. Thus, it remains an open problem to find a suitable language for characterizing observation. We propose an information-theoretic definition of observer, leading to a mathematical criterion of objectivity using the formalism of Kolmogorov complexity. We also suggest an experimental test of the hypothesis that any system, even much smaller than a human being, can be a quantum mechanical observer.