Quantum Reprogramming

Ensembles and Single Systems: A Two-Tier Approach to Quantum Mechanics
1995
ISBN: 978-0-7923-3565-8
Verlag: Springer Netherlands

Buch, Englisch, 322 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 1410 g

Reihe: Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science

Many, perhaps most textbooks of quantum mechanics present a Copenhagen, single system angle; fewer present the subject matter as an instrument for treating ensembles, but the two methods have been silently coexisting since the mid-Thirties. This lingering dichotomy of purpose for a major physical discipline has much shrouded further insights into the foundations of quantum theory.
resolves this long-standing dichotomy by examining the mutual relation between single systems and ensembles, assigning each its own tools for treating the subject at hand: i.e., Schrödinger-Dirac methods for ensembles versus period integrals for single systems.
A unified treatment of integer and fractional quantum Hall effects and a finite description of the electron's anomalies are mentioned as measures of justification for the chosen procedure of resolving an old-time dichotomy. The methods of presentation are, in part, elementary, with repetitive references needed to delineate differences with respect to standard methods. The parts on period integrals are developed with a perspective on elementary methods in physics, thus leading up to some standard results of de Rham theory and algebraic topology.
Students of physics, mathematics, philosophers as well as outsiders with a general interest in the conceptual development of physics will find useful reading in these pages, which will stimulate further inquiry and study.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Post, E. J.

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Topologie Algebraische Topologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Metaphysik, Ontologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introductory Remarks.- Introductory Remarks.- The Copenhagen Era.- The Psychology of the 1925 Revolution.- Reassessing Copenhagen.- Copenhagen Versus Copenhagen.- Von Neumann, Popper-EPR, Bohm, Bell, Aspect.- A Sommerfeld-De Rham View of Single Systems.- Period Integrals: A Universal Tool of Physics.- Larmor and Cyclotron Aspects of Flux Quanta.- Fitting Period Integrals to Physics.- Implications of Cooperative Behavior.- A Tale of Fine Structure Coincidences.- Classical Nonclassical Asymptotics.- An Attempt at Cohomological Synthesis.- Arrowed Time and Cyclic Time.- Quantum Cohomology.- Optimizing Reduction to Familiar Concepts.- Ramifications of the Two-Tier View of Q.M.- Compatibility of Quantum Mechanics and Relativity.- Quantum Understanding in Global Perspective.- Absolute Versus Relative Indeterminism.- The Diffeo-4 Mandate of Michelson-Sagnac.- Epilogue for Extrapolating a Favor of Fortune.- Epilogue for Extrapolating a Favor of Fortune.