Scientists discover quantum paradox that throws the foundations of observed reality into question

The finding is the strongest result yet in a series of quantum mechanical discoveries that have upended our ideas about reality. We have found a new paradox in quantum mechanics – one of our two most fundamental scientific theories, together with Einstein’s theory of relativity – that throws doubt on some common-sense ideas about physical reality. In many cases, quantum theory doesn’t give definite answers to questions such as “where is this particle right now?” Instead, it only provides probabilities for where the particle might be found when it is observed. As in Wigner’s argument, the equations of quantum mechanics tell us Charlie and Debbie should become entangled with their observed particles. Our results force physicists to deal with the measurement problem head on: either our experiment doesn’t scale up, and quantum mechanics gives way to a so-called “ objective collapse theory ”, or one of our three common-sense assumptions must be rejected.