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Author Laloë, Franck, 1940-

Title Do we really understand quantum mechanics? / Franck Laloë
Published New York : Cambridge University Press, 2012

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Description 1 online resource
Contents Machine generated contents note: Introduction; 1. Historical perspective; 2. Present situation, remaining conceptual difficulties; 3. The theorem of Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen; 4. Bell theorem; 5. More theorems; 6. Quantum entanglement; 7. Applications of quantum entanglement; 8. Quantum measurement; 9. Experiments, quantum reduction seen in real time; 10. Various interpretations; Conclusion; Appendices; Index
DO WE REALLY UNDERSTAND QUANTUM MECHANICS -- Title -- Foreword -- 1. Historical perspective -- 1.1. Three periods -- 1.1.1. Prehistory -- 1.1.2. The undulatory period -- 1.1.3. Emergence of the Copenhagen interpretation -- 1.2. The state vector -- 1.2.1. Definition, Schrödinger evolution, Born rule -- 1.2.1. a Definition -- 1.2.1. b Schrödinger evolution -- 1.2.1. c Born probability rule -- 1.2.2. Measurement processes -- 1.2.2. a Von Neumann, reduction (collapse) -- 1.2.2. b Bohr -- 1.2.3. Status -- 1.2.3. a Two extremes -- 1.2.3. b The Copenhagen (orthodox) point of view
2. Present situation, remaining conceptual difficulties -- 2.1. Von Neumann's infinite regress/chain -- 2.2. Schrödinger's cat -- 2.2.1. The argument -- 2.2.2. Misconceptions -- 2.2.3. Modern cats -- 2.3. Wigner's friend -- 2.4. Negative and "interaction-free" measurements -- 2.5. A variety of points of view -- Copenhagen interpretation: -- Critics of the Copenhagen interpretation: -- More recent comments: -- Present situation: -- 2.6. Unconvincing arguments -- 3. The theorem of Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen -- 3.1. A theorem -- 3.2. Of peas, pods, and genes -- 3.2.1. Simple experiments: no conclusion yet -- 3.2.2. Correlations: causes unveiled
3.2.2. a Same measurement parameters -- 3.2.2. b Different measurements parameters -- 3.2.2. c Summary -- 3.3. Transposition to physics -- 3.3.1. The EPR argument for two correlated microscopic particles -- 3.3.1. a Assumptions -- 3.3.1. b Conclusions -- 3.3.2. Bohr's reply -- 3.3.3. Locality and separability -- 3.3.3. a Various aspects of locality -- 3.3.3. b Quantum non-separability -- 3.3.4. The EPR argument for macroscopic systems -- 4. Bell theorem -- 4.1. Bell inequalities -- 4.1.1. Quantum mechanics: two spins in a singlet state -- 4.1.2. Local realism: proof of the BCHSH inequality -- 4.1.3. Contradiction with quantum mechanics
4.1.4. Logical content -- 4.1.5. Contradiction with experiments -- 4.2. Various forms of the theorem -- 4.2.1. Other inequalities -- 4.2.1. a Bell 1964 -- 4.2.1. b Wigner inequalities -- 4.2.1. c Mermin inequality -- 4.2.2. Other sets of assumptions -- 4.2.3. Generalizations of the theorem, role of locality -- 4.2.4. Status of the theorem -- attempts to bypass it -- 4.3. Cirelson's theorem -- 4.3.1. Measurements on two-level sub-systems -- 4.3.2. Maximal quantum violation -- 4.4. No instantaneous signaling -- 4.4.1. Non-signaling (NS) conditions -- 4.4.2. Logical boxes -- 4.4.2. a Deterministic boxes -- 4.4.2. b Stochastic boxes
4.4.2. c Local stochastic boxes -- 4.4.3. Popescu-Rohrlich boxes -- 4.4.4. How to characterize quantum mechanics -- 4.5. Impact of the theorem: where do we stand now -- 4.5.1. Loopholes, conspiracies -- 4.5.1. a Pair selection loophole (efficiency loophole) -- 4.5.1. b Conspiracy (or communication) loophole -- 4.5.1. c Fatalism versus free will -- 4.5.1. d Credibility of loopholes -- 4.5.2. Is quantum mechanics itself non-local Counterfactuality -- 5. More theorems -- 5.1. GHZ contradiction -- 5.1.1. Derivation -- 5.1.2. Discussion -- 5.2. Generalizing GHZ (all or nothing states) -- 5.3. Cabello's inequality
5.3.1. Local realist point of view
Summary "Quantum mechanics is a very successful theory that has impacted on many areas of physics, from pure theory to applications. However, it is difficult to interpret, and philosophical contradictions and counterintuitive results are apparent at a fundamental level. In this book, Laloë presents our current understanding of the theory. The book explores the basic questions and difficulties that arise with the theory of quantum mechanics. It examines the various interpretations that have been proposed, describing and comparing them and discussing their success and difficulties. The book is ideal for researchers in physics and mathematics who want to know more about the problems faced in quantum mechanics but who do not have specialist knowledge in the subject. It will also interest philosophers of science specializing in quantum physics"-- Provided by publisher
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Print version record
Subject Quantum theory.
Science -- Philosophy.
SCIENCE -- Quantum Theory.
SCIENCE -- Physics -- Quantum Theory.
Quantum theory
Science -- Philosophy
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781139177160
1139177168
9781139549929
1139549928