Causality and communication in physics
Abstract
Understanding the concept of causality is fundamental in physics, as it conditions the very possibility of any exchange of information between physical systems. This article examines and compares three main interpretations of the correlative operational concept of "causal separation" that have been respectively proposed in special relativity, quantum theory, and according to the statistical "non-signalling" condition. These interpretations, which can be classified regarding the range of CHSH correlation degrees they allow, lead to radically different results regarding the exchange of information between physical systems. Namely, it can be shown that, in opposition with the non-communication theorem of quantum theory, non-local communication can be established between the two entangled parts of a physical system when the relativistic criterium of causal separation is satisfied but not the quantum one.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Relativity and Gravitational Theory
Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories
Publication details
- Journal / source
- HAL
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Preprint