No-go theorem

A no-go theorem in theoretical physics (usually, in quantum field theory) is a mathematical argument that uses assumptions in quantum theory (or some other generally accepted theory) to exclude from physical reality some particular, imaginative possibilities that can be expressed in mathematical terms.

Quotes

• The Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) argument has been enormously influential in the debate on the foundations of quantum mechanics. While EPR argue for the incompleteness of quantum mechanics, Bell's 'no-go' theorem, which is in a sense an extension of the EPR argument, appears to support the opposite conclusion.
  • Jeffrey Bub, Interpreting the Quantum World. Cambridge University Press. 26 August 1999. ISBN 978-0-521-65386-2. 

• The Kochen–Specker theorem has been discussed intensely ever since its original proof in 1967. It is one of the central no-go theorems of quantum theory, showing the non-existence of a certain kind of hidden states models.
  • Andreas Döring, (2005). "Kochen–Specker Theorem for von Neumann Algebras". International Journal of Theoretical Physics 44 (2): 139–160. ISSN 0020-7748. DOI:10.1007/s10773-005-1490-6.

• One possibility that comes to mind is that the spin-two graviton might arise as a composite of two spin-one gauge bosons. This interesting idea would seem to be rigorously excluded by a no-go theorem of Weinberg & Witten ... The Weinberg–Witten theorem appears to assume nothing more than the existence of a Lorentz-covariant energy momentum tensor, which indeed holds in gauge theory. The theorem does forbid a wide range of possibilities, but (as with several other beautiful and powerful no-go theorems) it has at least one hidden assumption that seems so trivial as to escape notice, but which later developments show to be unnecessary. The crucial assumption here is that the graviton moves in the same spacetime as the gauge bosons of which it is made!
  • Gary Horowitz and Joseph Polchinski: Oriti, Daniele, ed. (5 March 2009). "Chapter 10. Gauge/gravity duality". Approaches to Quantum Gravity: Toward a New Understanding of Space, Time and Matter. Cambridge University Press. p. 169. ISBN 978-0-521-86045-1. 

• The question of the possibility for a completion of quantum mechanics received its most famous (partial) answer in 1964 by, again, Bell ... He proved what today is known simply as Bell's theorem, to wit, that is such a more complete description exists, it cannot be local, i.e. dependent only on the events in a system's past lightcone, and agree with quantum mechanics in all instances. To this day, this result forms the paradigm example of a 'no-go' theorem.
  • Jochen Szangolies, Testing Quantum Contextuality: The Problem of Compatibility. Springer. 10 March 2015. p. 10. ISBN 978-3-658-09200-9. 

• ... If you start off with switches and gears, or whatever, you can never construct a universe in which you see quantum mechanical phenomena, according to Bell. We call such a thing a 'no-go theorem'.
  You may already suspect that I still believe in the hidden variables hypothesis. Surely our world must be constructed in such an ingenious way that some of the assumptions that Einstein, Bell and others found quite natural will turn out to be wrong. But how this will come about, I do not know. Anyway, for me, the hidden variables hypothesis is still the best way to ease my conscience about quantum mechanics. And as for 'no-go theorems', we will encounter several of these and discuss their fate.
  • Gerardus 't Hooft, In Search of the Ultimate Building Blocks. Cambridge University Press. 1997. p. 15. ISBN 9780521578837.