Beyond Weird

Beyond Weird
Author: Philip Ball
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 382
Release: 2018-10-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 022655838X

“Anyone who is not shocked by quantum theory has not understood it.” Since Niels Bohr said this many years ago, quantum mechanics has only been getting more shocking. We now realize that it’s not really telling us that “weird” things happen out of sight, on the tiniest level, in the atomic world: rather, everything is quantum. But if quantum mechanics is correct, what seems obvious and right in our everyday world is built on foundations that don’t seem obvious or right at all—or even possible. An exhilarating tour of the contemporary quantum landscape, Beyond Weird is a book about what quantum physics really means—and what it doesn’t. Science writer Philip Ball offers an up-to-date, accessible account of the quest to come to grips with the most fundamental theory of physical reality, and to explain how its counterintuitive principles underpin the world we experience. Over the past decade it has become clear that quantum physics is less a theory about particles and waves, uncertainty and fuzziness, than a theory about information and knowledge—about what can be known, and how we can know it. Discoveries and experiments over the past few decades have called into question the meanings and limits of space and time, cause and effect, and, ultimately, of knowledge itself. The quantum world Ball shows us isn’t a different world. It is our world, and if anything deserves to be called “weird,” it’s us.

Recent Developments in Quantum Field Theory

Recent Developments in Quantum Field Theory
Author: J. Ambjorn
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 307
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0444598391

Theoretical particle physicists discuss the present status and, in particular, the latest developments in quantum field theory, in their broadest aspects. This volume contains the main lectures presented at the symposium and reflects the contemporary status of a line of development, one of whose initiators was Niels Bohr.

New Methods in Computational Quantum Mechanics

New Methods in Computational Quantum Mechanics
Author: Ilya Prigogine
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 812
Release: 2009-09-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0470142057

The use of quantum chemistry for the quantitative prediction of molecular properties has long been frustrated by the technical difficulty of carrying out the needed computations. In the last decade there have been substantial advances in the formalism and computer hardware needed to carry out accurate calculations of molecular properties efficiently. These advances have been sufficient to make quantum chemical calculations a reliable tool for the quantitative interpretation of chemical phenomena and a guide to laboratory experiments. However, the success of these recent developments in computational quantum chemistry is not well known outside the community of practitioners. In order to make the larger community of chemical physicists aware of the current state of the subject, this self-contained volume of Advances in Chemical Physics surveys a number of the recent accomplishments in computational quantum chemistry. This stand-alone work presents the cutting edge of research in computational quantum mechanics. Supplemented with more than 150 illustrations, it provides evaluations of a broad range of methods, including: * Quantum Monte Carlo methods in chemistry * Monte Carlo methods for real-time path integration * The Redfield equation in condensed-phase quantum dynamics * Path-integral centroid methods in quantum statistical mechanics and dynamics * Multiconfigurational perturbation theory-applications in electronic spectroscopy * Electronic structure calculations for molecules containing transition metals * And more Contributors to New Methods in Computational Quantum Mechanics KERSTIN ANDERSSON, Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Chemical Center, Sweden DAVID M. CEPERLEY, National Center for Supercomputing Applications and Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois MICHAEL A. COLLINS, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia REINHOLD EGGER, Fakultät für Physik, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ANTHONY K. FELTS, Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York RICHARD A. FRIESNER, Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York MARKUS P. FÜLSCHER, Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Chemical Center, Sweden K. M. HO, Ames Laboratory and Department of Physics, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa C. H. MAK, Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California PER-ÅKE Malmqvist, Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Chemical Center, Sweden MANUELA MERCHán, Departamento de Química Física, Universitat de Valéncia, Spain LUBOS MITAS, National Center for Supercomputing Applications and Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois STEFANO OSS, Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica della Materia, Unità di Trento, Italy KRISTINE PIERLOOT, Department of Chemistry, University of Leuven, Belgium W. THOMAS POLLARD, Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York BJÖRN O. ROOS, Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Chemical Center, Sweden LUIS SERRANO-ANDRÉS, Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Chemical Center, Sweden PER E. M. SIEGBAHN, Department of Physics, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden WALTER THIEL, Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland GREGORY A. VOTH, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania C. Z. Wang, Ames Laboratory and Department of Physi

The Strange World of Quantum Mechanics

The Strange World of Quantum Mechanics
Author: Daniel F. Styer
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 248
Release: 2000-02-24
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1316101878

This is an exceptionally accessible, accurate, and non-technical introduction to quantum mechanics. After briefly summarizing the differences between classical and quantum behaviour, this engaging account considers the Stern-Gerlach experiment and its implications, treats the concepts of probability, and then discusses the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox and Bell's theorem. Quantal interference and the concept of amplitudes are introduced and the link revealed between probabilities and the interference of amplitudes. Quantal amplitude is employed to describe interference effects. Final chapters explore exciting new developments in quantum computation and cryptography, discover the unexpected behaviour of a quantal bouncing-ball, and tackle the challenge of describing a particle with no position. Thought-provoking problems and suggestions for further reading are included. Suitable for use as a course text, The Strange World of Quantum Mechanics enables students to develop a genuine understanding of the domain of the very small. It will also appeal to general readers seeking intellectual adventure.

Quantum Mechanics at the Crossroads

Quantum Mechanics at the Crossroads
Author: James Evans
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 255
Release: 2006-11-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3540326650

This volume brings together leading quantum physicists to expound on the meaning and future directions of quantum mechanics. It offers new insights from different vantage points to tackle essential questions in quantum mechanics and its interpretation. All the authors have written for a broad readership, and the resulting volume will appeal to everyone wishing to keep abreast of new developments in quantum mechanics, as well as its history and philosophy.

New Developments on Fundamental Problems in Quantum Physics

New Developments on Fundamental Problems in Quantum Physics
Author: M. Ferrero
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 447
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 940115886X

Quantum theory is one of the most fascinating and successful constructs in the intellectual history of mankind. Nonetheless, the theory has very shaky philosophical foundations. This book contains thoughtful discussions by eminent researchers of a spate of experimental techniques newly developed to test some of the stranger predictions of quantum physics. The advances considered include recent experiments in quantum optics, electron and ion interferometry, photon down conversion in nonlinear crystals, single trapped ions interacting with laser beams, atom-field coupling in micromaser cavities, quantum computation, quantum cryptography, decoherence and macroscopic quantum effects, the quantum state diffusion model, quantum gravity, the quantum mechanics of cosmology and quantum non-locality along with the continuing debate surrounding the interpretation of quantum mechanics. Audience: The book is intended for physicists, philosophers of science, mathematicians, graduate students and those interested in the foundations of quantum theory.

From Data to Quanta

From Data to Quanta
Author: Slobodan Perovic
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 251
Release: 2021-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 022679833X

"Niels Bohr was a central figure in quantum physics, well-known for his work on atomic structure and his contributions to the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. In this book, philosopher Slobodan Perović explores the way Bohr practiced and understood physics, and the implications of this for our understanding of modern science, especially contemporary quantum experimental physics. Perović's method of studying Bohr is philosophical-historical, and his aim is to make sense of both Bohr's understanding of physics and his method of inquiry. He argues that in several important respects, Bohr's vision of physics was driven by his desire to develop a comprehensive perspective on key features of experimental observation as well as emerging experimental work. Perović uncovers how Bohr's distinctive breakthrough contributions are characterized by a multi-layered, phased approach of building on basic experimental insights inductively to develop intermediary and overarching hypotheses. The strengths and limitations of this approach, in contrast to the mathematically or metaphysically driven approaches of other physicists at the time, made him a thoroughly distinctive kind of theorist and scientific leader. Once we see that Bohr played the typical role of a laboratory mediator, and excelled in the inductive process this required, we can fully understand the way his work was generated, the role it played in developing novel quantum concepts, and its true limitations, as well as current adherence to and use of Bohr's complementarity approach among contemporary experimentalists"--

Recent Developments in Quantum Optics

Recent Developments in Quantum Optics
Author: R. Inguva
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 549
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461529360

This volume is composed of papers (invited and contributed) presented at the International Conference on Coherence and Quantum Optics held at the University of Hyderabad January 5-January 10, 1991. It has been organized by Professor Girish Agarwal and his colleagues at the School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyder abad, India under partial support from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, International Center for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy and the National Science Foundation, USA. Without the untiring efforts of Prof. Girish Agarwal and the members of his quantum office group, the Conference and the present volume would not have been possible. Some extraordinary circumstances resulted in a delay of the publication of the present volume. Our sincere apologies to all the authors. We deeply regret the inconvenience caused due to the delay. A debt of gratitude is due to Ms. Kim Bella for the excellent typing job of the different versions and the final version of the manuscript. It is a pleasure to acknowl edge the efforts of Ms. Pat Vann, Mr. Greg Safford and Mr. Eric Katz of the Plenum Publishing, without whose interest and persistence this volume would not have been possible. v CONTENTS QUANTUM OPTICS: THEORY The Quantum Mechanics of Particles in Time-Dependent Quadrupole Fields Roy J. Glauber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Localization of Photons in Random and Quasiperiodic Media S. Dutta Gupta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Enhanced Fundamental Linewidth of a Laser Due to Outcoupling W. A. Hamel, M. P. van Exter, and J. P. Woerdman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Einstein’s Struggles with Quantum Theory

Einstein’s Struggles with Quantum Theory
Author: Dipankar Home
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 374
Release: 2007-11-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0387715207

This book presents an account of all aspects of Einstein’s achievements in quantum theory, his own views, and the progress his work has stimulated since his death. While some chapters use mathematics at an undergraduate physics level, a path is provided for the reader more concerned with ideas than equations, and the book will benefit to anybody interested in Einstein and his approach to the quantum.