Quantum Interference and the Limits of Separability

Abstract:Quantum theory implies, and empirical evidence confirms, that while particles $\textit{can}$ exhibit wave-like behavior in interferometric experiments, this behavior is so limited as $\textit{not}$ to allow for third- and higher-order interference. The article at hand shows that this possibility-impossibility structure suggests the universal validity of a principle that regulates statistical correlations between spatiotemporally localized events, $\textit{independently}$ of the nature of the objects that may or may not partake in these events. Roughly, the said principle mandates that $\textit{any}$ joint influence of $m$ mutually spacelike separated events on $\textit{another}$ event, be such, that it can be separated by $\textit{at least}$ $\lceil \frac{m}{2} \rceil$ mediating events, and in some cases, by $\textit{no more}$ than $\lceil \frac{m}{2} \rceil$ mediating events. The structure of quantum interference thus teaches us that events can influence each other in a non-separable fashion, but that this non-separability has a certain exactly quantifiable limit.

Quantum Physics (quant-ph); History and Philosophy of Physics (physics.hist-ph)

arXiv:2510.21015 [quant-ph]

(or arXiv:2510.21015v2 [quant-ph] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2510.21015 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-026-00938-6 Focus to learn more DOI(s) linking to related resources

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