Scattering theory of the bifurcation in quantum measurement

Abstract

We model quantum measurement of a two-level system $\mu$. Previous obstacles for understanding the measurement process are removed by basing the analysis of the interaction between $\mu$ and the measurement device on quantum field theory. We show how microscopic details of the measurement device can influence the transition to a final state. A statistical analysis of the ensemble of initial states reveals that those initial states that are efficient in leading to a transition to a final state, result in either of the expected eigenstates for $\mu$, with probabilities that agree with the Born rule.