Distinguishability of apparatus states in quantum measurement in the Stern-Gerlach experiment

Abstract

In the context of the quantum mechanical modelling of a measurement process using the Stern-Gerlach setup, we critically examine the relationship between the notion of `distinguishability' of apparatus states defined in terms of the inner product and spatial separation among the emerging wave packets. We show that, in general, the mutual orthogonality of these wave packets does not necessarily imply their unambiguous spatial separation even in the asymptotic limit. A testable scheme is formulated to quantify such departures from `idealness' for a range of relevant parameters.