Proposal for Simple Experiment to Demonstrate Backwards Time Communications

For those who fully understand the principles of time-symmetric physics, the figure above really gives the full story. On 1/17/2017, I figured out for the first time how to demonstrate true backwards time communication of information without resort to more difficult technologies like the quantum separator (QS) which I figured out a few years before, requiring facilities in nanotechnology. Keeping the environment dark enough really means that the detectors should be shielded as much as possible from light coming directly from the black bodies, the surrounding room and any source other than the two-photon source and left-channel calcite crystal. (If necessary, the effective light isolation could be improved further by simply putting color filters in front of the detectors, to keep out light at frequencies other than what the two-photon source produces.)

For those who do not fully understand the principles of time-symmetric physics, I append five references basically giving five stages in the evolution of time-symmetric physics, from my initial formulation in 1973 to the more complete version of 2015 [4], through to a discussion for the policy maker as one part of a larger analysis of future possibilities [5]. Note that reference [3] is beautifully clear. Aharonov, who recently won the National Medal of Science for his work on time-symmetric physics, only knew a very different concept back in 1997 (the same book as [3]), equivalent to more conventional versions of quantum mechanics, but has gradually come closer to what we published in 1989.

According to the mature version of time-symmetric physics [4], we can still use exactly the same type of Schrodinger equation used in conventional quantum electrodynamics (QED) to predict the outcome of experiments in electronics and photonics, like the example of the experiment proposed here. The only thing we need to change is the measurement formalism. We do this by developing new models of the macroscopic objects which INTERFACE with quantum systems (objects like polarizers and detectors). A key rule for these models is as follows: the model of any PASSIVE object (one which is not a source of time-forwards free energy) should be symmetric with respect to time. When we combine these rules for macroscopic objects together with the usual QED Schrodinger equation (or equivalent), I call this “MQED”, a new flavor of QED, distinct from the other varies KQED, FQED and CQED which I have written about before [4].

In this figure, the black body radiators are passive objects. For all practical purposes in this experiment, we model them as objects just sitting there at a certain temperature. Thus they must radiate light both in the well-known forward direction, and in the backwards time direction, equally, if time-symmetric physics is true.
Simple passive objects heated up to red-hot or white-hot clearly would qualify. (Would old incandescent light bulbs, heated to different temperatures by simple dimmer switches, qualify? That I am not certain about yet. It might even depend on the type light bulb, which reminds me of Edison's old adventures. If the filament is well enough insulated, so that electricity is not constantly replenishing the mix of excited states, simple light bulbs might well do the job.)

If our eyes were evolved to see backwards flowing photons, we would already see an image of our environment on earth which is virtually identical to what people see at night with infrared glasses. This experiment simply captures that effect in the simplest possible way. It exploits Klyshko’s insight that two-photon entangled sources (as used in Bell’s Theorem experiments) act as a kind of “mirror in time,” such that a photon moving back on one channel effectively “continues” as an ordinary time-forward photon on the other.

The purpose of this experiment would be two-fold: (1) as a decisive test of time-symmetric physics versus

conventional measurement models, easier to perform than the all-angles triphoton experiment I proposed (and funded) in the recent past ; (2) as a decisive proof in principle that information can be communicated from future to present, in a way which is certainly not possible with conventional Bell’s Theorem experiments (as discussed in the seminal book by J.S. Bell, Speakable and Unspeakable).

To be completely honest, I should admit that I am still a bit of a heretic in regards to physics below of distance scale of about 3 femtometers. For 3 femtometers or above, MQED  should be even more complete and precise than older versions of QED, but high-energy electron-electron scattering has already shown that the predictions of QED break down at energies corresponding to smaller distances. (I have cited that extensive, mainstream experimental work in several places.) Of course, electroweak effects become more important at such distance scales, but I would claim that there is still hope of deriving MQED as the emergent statistical outcome of a more fundamental field theory involving the usual B and W fields of electroweak theory obeying Lagrange-Euler equations of the type which Einstein would have appreciated. ([2]). However, that hope is a very different issue from the issue of MQED as such; I hope that readers can due full justice to MQED as an alternative to traditional forms of QED, without being distracted by the totally different issue of how to derive MQED from a more fundamental theory.

Once people accept the basic principle here, after the crucial experiment, there are a number of
viable approaches to improve the engineering and substantially reduce the unit cost.

                             References

[1] Werbos, P. J. "An approach to the realistic explanation of quantum mechanics." Lettere al Nuovo Cimento (1971-1985) 8.2 (1973): 105-109.

[2] P.Werbos, Bell’s theorem: the forgotten loophole and how to exploit it, in M.Kafatos, ed.,           Bell’s Theorem, Quantum Theory and Conceptions of the Universe.    Kluwer, 1989.

[3] Huw Price, Cosmology, time’s arrow, and that old double standard. In Savitt Steven F. Savitt (ed), Time’s Arrow Today:Recent Physical and Philosophical Work on the Arrow of Time, Cambridge U. Press, 1997

[4] Werbos, Paul J., and Ludmilla Dolmatova. "Analog quantum computing (AQC) and the need for time-symmetric physics."Quantum Information Processing (2015): 1-15. To see the full paper, click here. For more information on the amazing new experimental results of 2015, and possibilities for confirmation, click here.

[5] Paul J. Werbos, New Technology Options and Threats To Detect and Combat Terrorism. In Sharan, Gordon and Florescu eds, Proc. of NATO Workshop on Predetection of Terrorism, NATO/IOS, 2017 (in press, approximate citation). www.werbos.com/NATO_terrorism.pdf

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Some additional references:

Werbos, Paul J. "Bell’s theorem, many worlds and backwards-time physics: not just a matter of interpretation." International Journal of Theoretical Physics 47.11 (2008): 2862-2874.  Also see Aharonov, Yakir, and Lev Vaidman. "On the two-state vector reformulation of quantum mechanics." Physica Scripta 1998.T76 (2006): 85.

arXiv: 0801.1234.

It is interesting that primate evolution never gave us the ability to "see in the dark" by seeing infrared frequencies of light, despite the clear value of night vision as shown in experience of US military. It is an example of how the cost of such a capability may result in it not being present in some species. Of course, detection of infrared photons in backwards time is more expensive for the organism; on earth, it would not be worth the cost, because it would provide only nanoseconds worth of additional foresight for normal primates in their normal environment. But using technology we do not have to wait for our DNA to catch up.  We can create delays, and we could use nanotechnology to reduce the cost and improve the quality, even for applications on earth. I do not discuss those extensions here because it is essential that the basic principle be established first, and then some greater design capabilities (as in [4]). Applications in astronomy could also be interesting.