EXPERIMENTAL STATUS OF QUATERNIONIC QUANTUM-MECHANICS

Analysis of the logical foundations of quantum mechanics indicates the possibility of constructing a theory using quaternionic Hilbert space s. Whether this mathematical structure reflects reality is a matter fo r experiment to decide. We review the only direct search for quaternio nic quantum mechanics yet carried out and outline a recent proposal by the present authors to look for quaternionic effects in correlated mu ltiparticle systems. We set out how such experiments might distinguish between the several quaternionic models proposed in the literature. C opyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.