title: No-go theorem for the composition of quantum systems.
abstract: Building on the Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph theorem, we derive a no-go theorem for a vast class of deterministic hidden-variables theories, including those consistent on their targeted domain. The strength of this result throws doubt on seemingly natural assumptions (like the "preparation independence" of the Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph theorem) about how "real states" of subsystems compose for joint systems in nonentangled states. This points to constraints in modeling tensor-product states, similar to constraints demonstrated for more complex states by the Bell and Bell-Kochen-Specker theorems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Portland, 5000 North Willamette Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97203, USA.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schlosshauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy, University of Washington, Box 353350, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fine