INTERFERENCE EFFECTS IN COMPUTATION

The lan-of addition of probabilities by means of complex probability a mplitudes with its powerful interference consequences. unique to quant um mechanics, is shown to apply elsewhere. The two parts of quantum me chanics: an unvisualizable dynamics and a visualizable concretization (the latter corresponding to reduction of the state vector when a meas urement is made) are shown to have a correspondence in computation. Na mely, a conceptual structure called a field (of the real numbers, say) , its operations, and the concretization of that structure is done by means of a (digital) computer (the latter is interpreted as playing th e role of a measuring apparatus), The probabilistic state-reduction op erator of quantum mechanics is replaced by a deterministic operation, an extension of rounding. State, wave function, dynamics, observation, uncertainty, and nonlocality are shown to have their counterparts in the new model, The algorithmic counterpart of the double slit experime nt to validate the existence of interference in the new framework is d efined and performed. A notion of spin in computation is introduced, L n an appendix, we comment on how this model impacts a speculative theo ry of the mind by Penrose.