An Extra Dimensional Approach of Entanglement

Axel Dietrich1* & Willem Been2

1
)Institute of Human Genetics, 2 ) Department of Anatomy and Embryology,
University of Amsterdam., AMC M-1, Meibergdreef 15, NL 1105 AZ Amsterdam., The Netherlands
* Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected]

Motivated by the apparent lack of a workable hypothesis we developed a model to describe

phenomena such as entanglement and the EPR-paradox.
In the model we propose the existence of extra hidden dimensions. Through these dimensions
it will be possible for particles, which originate from one source, to remain connected. This
connection results in an instantaneous reaction of one particle when the other particle is
manipulated. We imagine entanglement in such a model. The results of the experiments which
have been performed on this item do not contradict with the existence of the extra
dimension(s).
In addition, the model opens the possibility to unify the theory of quantum mechanics,
gravitation and the general theory of relativity.

PACS: 03.65.Ud ; 04.50.+h ; 11.25.-w; 11.25.Mj

Keywords: Entanglement; EPR paradox ; Extra dimensions; Superstrings.

Introduction complete enough to describe and predict these

In 1935 Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen initiated a phenomena [1].
discussion that continues up until now and which forms Bell [3] formulated an inequality principle to test for the
the basis for many experiments [1]. They put forward existence of hidden variables. He showed that there
serious criticism on the validity of the quantum theory. could be no local hidden variables if the inequality was
They stated in their paper that the quantum mechanical satisfied.
description of reality is not complete. Or, when
operators corresponding to two physical quantities do Experiments
not commute the two quantities cannot have Alain Aspect and co-workers [4, 5] performed excellent
simultaneous reality. They developed a thought experiments to determine the mutual influence of a pair
experiment in which two systems interact for a short of photons which originated from one single source.
period of time, after which there was no longer any The correlation of linear polarizations of pairs of
interaction. It would be impossible to determine the photons was measured. It was demonstrated that the
exact properties of simultaneously appearing realities. obtained results were in agreement with the quantum
Bohm [2] expanded the formulation of the thought mechanical predictions. This was a strong violation of
experiment using a particular example of two particles the generalised Bell’s inequalities. The effect which was
that originated from one source with opposite spin measured was carried out over 13 m in a time of 10
angular momentum. In that case he was unable to prove nanoseconds [6]. To bridge a distance of that size with
that the world is actually made up of separately existing the speed of light about four times of the observed time
and precisely defined elements of reality. To solve this is necessary. This excludes an interaction in which
problem Bohm introduced hidden variables. However, elements are exchanged with the speed of light.
the quantum theory is inconsistent with the assumption The possibility of selection cannot be excluded in the
of hidden causal variables. As a consequence, this was experiments of Aspect and his group. Because they use
in agreement with Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen’s polarimeters there is a selection on a certain type of
claim that the theory of quantum mechanics is not photons and the polarization states are determined. In

1
addition, Aspect et al. [5] used periodic sinusoidal Possible explanations for the phenomenon
switching, which is predictable into the future. This What are the possible explanations for entanglement?
does not exclude an explanation by communication We do not expect that entanglement is just a perfect
slower than the speed of light [7]. Aspect and his group conservation of the initial qualities. This could hardly
did not perform actually manipulation on the photon explain choice of the pathway both particles take as
after which the state is determined of its twin photon described by Abner Shimony [6]. There are no workable
that originated from the same source. The polarization models in the classical sense, which give an explanation
states could actually be the initial states that have for phenomena such as entanglement.
existed from the beginning. The group of Anton We can think of a number of possible explanations:
Zeilinger [7] claims to be the first who actually change
the polarization state of a photon and determine this 1) Over the given distance the results of the
state of the corresponding photon over a distance of 400 experiments, that are performed up until now, might
m. During this period the quantum mechanical give the impression of the existence of a messenger
correlation is conserved. This is the correlation we know which moves faster than the speed of light. However,
as entanglement. messengers using a speed exceeding the speed of light
are forbidden in the theory of special relativity [10]. As
Description a consequence, we will not take this option into
The description of the correlation of two particles, consideration.
which in most cases originates from one source is called
entanglement. 2) The inexplicable correlation of the particles could be
All experiments suggest that there is more than just the result of a field comparable with the electromagnetic
well preserved initial properties of the two particles. The field. We think this is unlikely, because the observed
explanation nowadays is described by the term results cannot be realised by phenomena such as fields,
entanglement. Schrödinger [8] was the first to describe because such a field would influence all particles with
the phenomenon of a more than classical correlation of equal qualities and it would seem that all those particles
two particles, originating from one source. He are entangled.
introduced the term: “Verschränkung” which is
entanglement as we call it nowadays. 3) As a last option we could think of a connection
Shimony [6] describes an additional correlation in the between the particles, or even that the particles remain a
route the entangled particles follow. They represent a unity. In these cases, because we cannot see the
mirror image of the pathways which is followed. There connection, it probably has to be in an extra hidden
must be a certain type of connection as stated by dimension. We think that this is the only possible
Shimony as: “striking correlation in their behaviour, so explanation.
that a measurement done on one of the entities seems
instantaneously to affect the result of the measurement The extra dimension
on the other” [6], or as put by Einstein: “spooky actions Since Kaluza and Klein in the early 1920s suggested a
at distance” [9]. They all agree on the fact that there has hidden fifth dimension there has been an ongoing search
to be some kind correlation. for extra dimensions, which recently gave rise to a
Why do we want to produce a more or less classical-like discussion [11, 12, 13]. The dimensions which are
explanation of a phenomenon as entanglement? Because described up until now are very small (10-35 meter), also
entanglement in our vision is a description and it does in the Calabi-Yau setting [12]. There is a need for
not give an explanation in the classical way, probably bigger extra dimensions. There is an ongoing search for
because an explanation it is very difficult to give. We them. It would be a great satisfaction when an extra
think that a model is necessary to link different dimension of considerable size could be found. A start
mechanisms and make a comparison possible. So we of the experimental search for large extra dimensions has
will try to represent an image that might give a clue been made [14]. Perhaps we do not have to continue
towards an explanation. In addition, we would like to this search, because the large dimensions are already
produce a model in which quantum mechanical found, as we try to demonstrate in this paper.
phenomena can be linked onto the other fields in We try to solve EPR/ Bohm /Bell/ Aspect contradiction
physics, because there are particles that obey the laws of using extra and invisible dimensions as looked for by
both quantum mechanics as well as relativity. For Arkani-Hamed et al. [11], Antoniadis et al. [13] and
example photons behave according to the quantum Greene [14] of a considerable larger size than 1 mm. In
description in all experiments on entanglement. the case of the experiments of Aspect and co-workers [4,
However, they also follow the laws of general relativity 5] more than 10 m was observed and up to 400 m was
and are influenced by gravity. We developed a way of observed by Weihs et al. [7].
vision to match both phenomena.

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We think that it is plausible that we found strong because the local qualities of two particles are in essence
indications for the existence of these dimensions a unity going through an extra timeless dimension.
indirectly, without realising that we did so. Because the
main goal of this paper is the production of visual
insight into a mechanism, we will not use mathematics a
to describe the observed or expected phenomena. We
just try to find a model that explains several phenomena
such as entanglement and the EPR-paradox. For this r
reason we refer to Ludwig Wittgenstein [15] who
q
pointed out that the use of mathematics is a method to s
describe certain phenomena, but that it is not necessary
for the explanation. We will try to approach the
explanation of entanglement in a describing manner.

How should we imagine this?

The best way is to imagine the situation in 2-D, where p
the 2-D position corresponds with the actual 3-D
3D
situation, whilst the 3D figure actually corresponds with
the extra dimensional position (figure 1). Imagine a
single event, for example the decay of an atom or
molecule producing two particles with different spin
angular momentum, like Bohm suggested [2]. It is our b
suggestion that the two particles will remain connected
through an extra invisible dimension. At the beginning
there is one particle and it will remain a unity because
there is a connection by means of a certain type of super
q s
string, or even the real particle structure, running
through one of the extra invisible dimensions (figure 1).
This causes the instantaneous so called mutual
influence. r
The dimension can be considered as described in figure
1a. However, as an alternative one could consider the
three dimensions in which we live, to be folded as
suggested Arkani-Hamed et al. [11] (see figure 1b). In
essence there is no difference between figure 1a and p
figure 1b. In the case of figure 1b the distance of e.g. 3D
400 m in the 3D-world could be less in the extra
dimension.
For both cases the circular endings are the only parts
that can be observed in our limited familiar three FIG. 1. Schematic representation of the connection
dimensional world. When we manipulate one end, the through an extra dimension. a and b are alternative
connected corresponding other end will react representations.
instantaneously. This can also explain the change of the p and q = two particles of one pair originating from one
route as described by Shimony [6]. This way it can be initial event s. s = source of the particle pair.→ and ←
explained why it seems that there is a messenger system = quality such as the spin angular momentum of the
which exceeds the speed of light. It certainly can explain different particles. r = extra dimension.
phenomena that correspond with the description of
entanglement. Experimental indications
The connection through the extra dimension should not The results of the experiments of Alain Aspect et al. [4,
necessarily consist of one string, or the particle unity. It 5] and Weihs et al. [7] actually can be considered as a
could be considered as composed of more components, strong indication for the existence of the large extra
such as a chain of closed superstrings. invisible dimensions as searched for by Arkani-Hamed
In conclusion, there is no need for a messenger between et al. [11]. In this case not for dimensions of 1mm but
the particles with a speed exceeding the speed of light. even up to more than 10 m. The experiments of Weihs
It is a matter of unity: There is no inequality of Bell et al. [7] demonstrate an entanglement even over a
distance of 400 m after an actual manipulation of the

3
quantum qualities of the particles. Nevertheless the size angular moment are used. This could even go as far as
could be considerably smaller when the model presented the annihilation of one of the two particles.
in figure 1b is used. We could even consider the Further experiments will be necessary to determine
possibility that the distance approaches zero, in which whether there is “snapping” of strings at greater
case we observe one entity from two “sides”. distance. Experiments as performed by the group of
Arkani-Hamed and his colleagues wonder why no larger Anton Zeilinger [7] have to be carried out on a larger
extra dimensions are observed [11]. As a matter of fact scale, for example in space, to determine what the
quite larger extra dimensions in the results of the maximum size of the extra dimension(s) is.
experiment of Alain Aspect and Anton Zeilinger and In addition, we think that our model will open the gate
their groups can be seen. In our vision these results towards the possibility to unifying quantum mechanics
actually demonstrate the extra dimensions. and the theory of relativity.
Our proposed model especially opens the opportunity to
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Acknowledgements
We thank Ruud van den Bogaard for useful suggestions
and discussion, Eelco Roos and Rob Lutgerhorst for
producing the figures.