Theory and interpretation of the quantum teleportation effect

Recently published optical experiments which investigate the effect of "qua ntum teleportation" are analyzed. It is shown that the occurrence of telepo rtation (copying) of the polarization of one photon onto another requires t hat an optical shutter be added to the experimental setup, opening automati cally only upon the occurrence of certain favorable events. An instructive model is proposed, along with a classical analog of the effect, and various treatments are discussed. It is emphasized that the concepts of "reduction of the wave function" and "quantum nonlocality" are not necessary for a qu antitative description of the effect: the standard formalism proves to be s ufficient. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7761(98)00310-2].