Quantum Model of a Rat in a Maze

About

Quantum mechanics (QM) provides a formal framework for modelling uncertainty and dynamic evolution in physical systems. While its mathematical structure is well established, its application beyond microscopic phenomena remains an area of active discussion. This work attempts to illustrate the axioms of QM in an intuitive and accessible way on a textbook example.

The model considers a rat moving in a finite number of rooms within a box, where some rooms are directly connected, while others are not. The rat’s state is represented as a vector in a finite-dimensional Hilbert space, evolving unitarily over time. Measurement corresponds to observing the rat’s presence in a given room, collapsing the state with a probability dictated by the Born rule. Additionally, the rat’s preferences influence the system’s dynamics, introducing a simple analogy to decoherence or external perturbations.

The poster presents alternative approach to 10.5281/zenodo.15250011, starting from the axiomatics of QM. Main stress is put on interpretational aspects (how to understand the mathematics).

Although observation process in QM works both for conscious and unconscious observer in the same way, we expect that future deeper analysis of the living observer's perspective can help to narrow the existing gap between decision making and QM.

Poster "Quantum Rat Vol.3: Learning Dynamics from Measurements" (Vaxjo, 2026)

Poster presented on 2026 Quantum information and Probability (QIP 26) is available here.

Python code

Code for the "Rat Vol.3" will be publicly available soon.

Poster "Quantum Rat Vol.2: Out-of-the-Box Thinking in a Boxed Environment" (Vaxjo, 2025)

Poster presented on 2025 Quantum information and Probability (QIP 25) is available here.

June 2026 update: Extended paper is currently in final stage of preparation. A preprint will be announced soon.

Python code

Code for the "Rat Vol.2" will be publicly available with an upcoming paper. Stay tuned.

Poster "Quantum Model of the Rat in a Maze" (Prague, 2025)

Poster presented on 2025 DYNALIFE Conference, Quantum Information and Decision Making in Life Sciences in Prague is available here.

Proceedings paper on Rat Vol.1

Can be found here, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18651514.

Simulation in Python

Can be found here.