scholarly journals The Oxford Questions on the foundations of quantum physics

2013 ◽  
Vol 469 (2157) ◽  
pp. 20130299 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. D. Briggs ◽  
J. N. Butterfield ◽  
A. Zeilinger
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Quantum System ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Empirical Success ◽  
Sense Of Wonder

The twentieth century saw two fundamental revolutions in physics—relativity and quantum. Daily use of these theories can numb the sense of wonder at their immense empirical success. Does their instrumental effectiveness stand on the rock of secure concepts or the sand of unresolved fundamentals? Does measuring a quantum system probe, or even create, reality or merely change belief? Must relativity and quantum theory just coexist or might we find a new theory which unifies the two? To bring such questions into sharper focus, we convened a conference on Quantum Physics and the Nature of Reality. Some issues remain as controversial as ever, but some are being nudged by theory's secret weapon of experiment.

scholarly journals Get Rid of Nonlocality from Quantum Physics

Entropy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Khrennikov
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Quantum System ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Single Photon ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Hidden Variables ◽  
Single Electron ◽  
Quantum Nonlocality ◽  
Single Quantum ◽  
Complementarity Principle

This paper is aimed to dissociate nonlocality from quantum theory. We demonstrate that the tests on violation of the Bell type inequalities are simply statistical tests of local incompatibility of observables. In fact, these are tests on violation of the Bohr complementarity principle. Thus, the attempts to couple experimental violations of the Bell type inequalities with “quantum nonlocality” is really misleading. These violations are explained in the quantum theory as exhibitions of incompatibility of observables for a single quantum system, e.g., the spin projections for a single electron or the polarization projections for a single photon. Of course, one can go beyond quantum theory with the hidden variables models (as was suggested by Bell) and then discuss their possible nonlocal features. However, conventional quantum theory is local.

Bohr, Niels (1885–1962)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara Beller
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Copenhagen Interpretation ◽  
Niels Bohr ◽  
Radical Interpretation ◽  
Quantum Phenomena ◽  
Deterministic Description ◽  
Exclusive Or ◽  
Principle Of Complementarity

One of the most influential scientists of the twentieth century, the Danish physicist Niels Bohr founded atomic quantum theory and the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum physics. This radical interpretation renounced the possibility of a unified, observer-independent, deterministic description in the microdomain. Bohr’s principle of complementarity – the heart of the Copenhagen philosophy – implies that quantum phenomena can only be described by pairs of partial, mutually exclusive, or ‘complementary’ perspectives. Though simultaneously inapplicable, both perspectives are necessary for the exhaustive description of phenomena. Bohr aspired to generalize complementarity into all fields of knowledge, maintaining that new epistemological insights are obtained by adjoining contrary, seemingly incompatible, viewpoints.

scholarly journals The Invariant Set Postulate: a new geometric framework for the foundations of quantum theory and the role played by gravity

2009 ◽  
Vol 465 (2110) ◽  
pp. 3165-3185 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
State Space ◽  
Fractal Geometry ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Nonlinear Dynamical Systems ◽  
Physical Reality ◽  
Invariant Set ◽  
Geometric Framework

A new law of physics is proposed, defined on the cosmological scale but with significant implications for the microscale. Motivated by nonlinear dynamical systems theory and black-hole thermodynamics, the Invariant Set Postulate proposes that cosmological states of physical reality belong to a non-computable fractal state-space geometry I , invariant under the action of some subordinate deterministic causal dynamics D I . An exploratory analysis is made of a possible causal realistic framework for quantum physics based on key properties of I . For example, sparseness is used to relate generic counterfactual states to points p ∉ I of unreality, thus providing a geometric basis for the essential contextuality of quantum physics and the role of the abstract Hilbert Space in quantum theory. Also, self-similarity, described in a symbolic setting, provides a possible realistic perspective on the essential role of complex numbers and quaternions in quantum theory. A new interpretation is given to the standard ‘mysteries’ of quantum theory: superposition, measurement, non-locality, emergence of classicality and so on. It is proposed that heterogeneities in the fractal geometry of I are manifestations of the phenomenon of gravity. Since quantum theory is inherently blind to the existence of such state-space geometries, the analysis here suggests that attempts to formulate unified theories of physics within a conventional quantum-theoretic framework are misguided, and that a successful quantum theory of gravity should unify the causal non-Euclidean geometry of space–time with the atemporal fractal geometry of state space. The task is not to make sense of the quantum axioms by heaping more structure, more definitions, more science fiction imagery on top of them, but to throw them away wholesale and start afresh. We should be relentless in asking ourselves: From what deep physical principles might we derive this exquisite structure? These principles should be crisp, they should be compelling. They should stir the soul. Chris Fuchs ( Gilder 2008 , p. 335)

The Hydrogen Bond

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Henry
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Bond ◽  
Electromagnetic Field ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Emergent Property ◽  
Water Molecules ◽  
Linear Coupling ◽  
Non Linear

The claim that chemistry has been explained in terms of quantum theory is received wisdom. Yet quantum physics is unable to explain the strong association of water molecules in liquid or ice. Marc Henry suggests the hydrogen bond is an emergent property of matter resulting from a non-linear coupling between quantified energy levels of water molecules and a quantified internal electromagnetic field.

Inductive Warrant

2021 ◽  
pp. 30-67
Author(s):  
Mark Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Classical Mechanics ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
Diagnostic Work

But Hertz’s suggestions did not address his original “small metaphysics” conflicts in a credible manner. The alternative resolution that material scientists currently favor supplies an alternative paradigm upon which this book will later elaborate. To this end, the present chapter reviews the intellectual circumstances that Hertz confronted and why they were important to him. He displayed a keen eye for delicate detail in his diagnostic work, in a manner that should serve as a sterling model of conceptual detective work whenever it is wanted. But the depth of his insights has been frequently misunderstood by later generations, largely due to a greatly diminished form of “classical mechanics” that became popular in the twentieth century because of the parochial requirements of quantum theory. Within this reduced setting, Hertz’s motivating problems disappear, not because they have been solved, but because they have been ignored. As an aftereffect, many philosophers writing today confidently believe that they understand what “the worlds of classical mechanics are like,” although these rash presumptions embody a significant degree of simplistic misrepresentation. The present chapter outlines the forgotten background required to appreciate Hertz’s conceptual puzzles as he confronted them. These details are not required for the central argument of the book, but they nicely illustrate the natural contexts from which “small metaphysics” puzzles characteristically emerge within a gradually evolving discourse.

Image Representation, Filtering, and Natural Computing in a Multivalued Quantum System

2016 ◽  
pp. 28-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Chakraborty ◽  
Lopamudra Dey
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Quantum System ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Image Representation ◽  
Quantum Image Processing ◽  
Natural Computing ◽  
Quantum Image ◽  
Image Pixels ◽  
Classical Image ◽  
And Storage

Image processing on quantum platform is a hot topic for researchers now a day. Inspired from the idea of quantum physics, researchers are trying to shift their focus from classical image processing towards quantum image processing. Storing and representation of images in a binary and ternary quantum system is always one of the major issues in quantum image processing. This chapter mainly deals with several issues regarding various types of image representation and storage techniques in a binary as well as ternary quantum system. How image pixels can be organized and retrieved based on their positions and intensity values in 2-states and 3-states quantum systems is explained here in detail. Beside that it also deals with the topic that focuses on the clear filteration of images in quantum system to remove unwanted noises. This chapter also deals with those important applications (like Quantum image compression, Quantum edge detection, Quantum Histogram etc.) where quantum image processing associated with some of the natural computing techniques (like AI, ANN, ACO, etc.).

scholarly journals Enumeration on graph mosaics

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (05) ◽  
pp. 1750032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyungpyo Hong ◽  
Seungsang Oh
Keyword(s):  
Quantum System ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Knot Theory ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Recursion Formula ◽  
Jones Polynomial ◽  
Exact Enumeration ◽  
State Matrix ◽  
Embedded Graph ◽  
Definition Of

Since the Jones polynomial was discovered, the connection between knot theory and quantum physics has been of great interest. Lomonaco and Kauffman introduced the knot mosaic system to give a definition of the quantum knot system that is intended to represent an actual physical quantum system. Recently the authors developed an algorithm producing the exact enumeration of knot mosaics, which uses a recursion formula of state matrices. As a sequel to this research program, we similarly define the (embedded) graph mosaic system by using 16 graph mosaic tiles, representing graph diagrams with vertices of valence 3 and 4. We extend the algorithm to produce the exact number of all graph mosaics. The magnified state matrix that is an extension of the state matrix is mainly used.

scholarly journals QUANTUM BACKREACTION (CASIMIR) EFFECT WITHOUT INFINITIES: ALGEBRAIC ANALYSIS

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 376-382
Author(s):  
ANDRZEJ HERDEGEN
Keyword(s):  
Hilbert Space ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Quantum System ◽  
Casimir Effect ◽  
Quantum Field ◽  
Expectation Value ◽  
Physical Systems ◽  
Algebra Of Observables ◽  
General Terms ◽  
External Conditions

Casimir effect, in most general terms, is the backreaction of a quantum system responding to an adiabatic change of external conditions. This backreaction is expected to be quantitatively measured by a change in the expectation value of a certain energy observable of the system. However, for this concept to be applicable, the system has to retain its identity in the process. Most prevailing tendencies in the analysis of the effect seem to ignore this question. In general, a quantum theory is defined by an algebra of observables, whose representations by operators in a Hilbert space define concrete physical systems described by the theory. A quantum system retains its identity if both the algebra as well as its representation do not change. We discuss the resulting restrictions for admissible models of changing external conditions. These ideas are applied to quantum field models. No infinities arise, if the algebraic demands are respected.

scholarly journals Coherence structure of D1 scattering

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S305) ◽  
pp. 136-145
Author(s):  
Jan Olof Stenflo
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Laboratory Experiment ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Solar Physics ◽  
Quantum Scattering ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Atomic Systems ◽  
Consistent Extension ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Set Up

AbstractThe extensive literature on the physics of polarized scattering may give the impression that we have a solid theoretical foundation for the interpretation of spectro-polarimetric data. This theoretical framework has however not been sufficiently tested by experiments under controlled conditions. While the solar atmosphere may be viewed as a physics laboratory, the observed solar polarization depends on too many environmental factors that are beyond our control. The existence of a symmetric polarization peak at the center of the solar Na D1 line has remained an enigma for two decades, in spite of persistent efforts to explain it with available quantum theory. A decade ago a laboratory experiment was set up to determine whether this was a problem for solar physics or quantum physics. The experiment revealed a rich polarization structure of D1 scattering, although available quantum theory predicted null results. It has now finally been possible to formulate a well-defined and self-consistent extension of the theory of quantum scattering that can reproduce in great quantitative detail the main polarization structures that were found in the laboratory experiment. Here we give a brief overview of the new physical ingredients that were missing before. The extended theory reveals that multi-level atomic systems have a far richer coherence structure than previously believed.

scholarly journals Time asymmetric quantum theory – I. Modifying an axiom of quantum physics

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 551-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.R. Bohm ◽  
M. Loewe ◽  
B. Van de Ven
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
Asymmetric Quantum
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