Have Optical Wigner's Friend Experiments Been Blind to a Geometric Degree of Freedom?

The two published optical Wigner's Friend experiments have operated exclusively at an equatorial measurement geometry (θ = π/2) — a fixed point where every overlap-dependent deformation of quantum measurement statistics vanishes identically (Proposition 1, equatorial cancellation theorem). A single waveplate breaks this cancellation. Re-inserting one quarter-wave plate into the Bong et al. (2020) apparatus tilts the Superobserver measurement to θ = 31°, providing minimum detectable β ~ 0.07 at 5σ while preserving the Genuine LF violation (8.6σ). A complete survey finds no published implementation has varied this polar angle; only two exist (Proietti 2019, Bong 2020). The theorem constrains the overlap-only class; broader deformation classes (Levels 1–3) lie outside its scope. Under fair-sampling (η ≈ 0.87), this is a loophole-open screening test; a null δ⟨AB⟩ across a full θ-sweep would falsify the overlap-only class.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-05-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20473799
Primary Topic
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Type
preprint
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
preprint

Have Optical Wigner's Friend Experiments Been Blind to a Geometric Degree of Freedom?

Nguyễn Xuân Việt Viet Nguyen Xuan
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
preprint

Have Optical Wigner's Friend Experiments Been Blind to a Geometric Degree of Freedom?

Nguyễn Xuân Việt Viet Nguyen Xuan
preprint en

Abstract

The two published optical Wigner's Friend experiments have operated exclusively at an equatorial measurement geometry (θ = π/2) — a fixed point where every overlap-dependent deformation of quantum measurement statistics vanishes identically (Proposition 1, equatorial cancellation theorem). A single waveplate breaks this cancellation. Re-inserting one quarter-wave plate into the Bong et al. (2020) apparatus tilts the Superobserver measurement to θ = 31°, providing minimum detectable β ~ 0.07 at 5σ while preserving the Genuine LF violation (8.6σ). A complete survey finds no published implementation has varied this polar angle; only two exist (Proietti 2019, Bong 2020). The theorem constrains the overlap-only class; broader deformation classes (Levels 1–3) lie outside its scope. Under fair-sampling (η ≈ 0.87), this is a loophole-open screening test; a null δ⟨AB⟩ across a full θ-sweep would falsify the overlap-only class.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.