Inconsistency of a realistic interpretation of quantum measurements: A simple example

Abstract

We use a simple example to illustrate why it is not possible to consider that a measurement reveals an underlying objective reality of a property of a quantum system, that continues the same after the measurement is performed. This kind of incompatibility between realism and quantum mechanics is theoretically demonstrated with an example where sequential spin measurements are performed on a spin-2 quantum particle. We discuss the relation of this result with other works that investigate the concept of reality in quantum mechanics.