The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics



The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

This course has been geared towards the fundamentals of computation of wavefunctions in classical quantum mechanics without much allusion to the early quantum mechanics nor the interpretations. The old theory was treated in your modern physics course. Typically one is not exposed to interpretation. However, it appears that such considerations are slowly finding their way into the curriculum. They are certainly at the forefront of popular writings. Now that you have some background in the theory, it is time to think about the interpretation. You should keep in mind that the predictions of many measurements by quantum mechanics are some of the most accurate predictions in physics. So, there must be something useful about quantum theory. However, there have been many dispute concerning the meaning of quantum theory and differences about how much our models tell us about reality. Therefore, we will look at some of the arguments in order to be conversant in such matters.

We will look into these arguments by reading several papers on the interpretations of the theory and try to understand the history and recent experiments. This will in no way be complete, but hopefully will be interesting and thought provoking. This document will outline our approach and what you will be expected to accomplish in this endeavor.

Historically, the main people contributing to quantum mechanics were Planck, Sommerfeld, Ehrenfest, Einstein, Born, Schrodinger, Bohr, de Broglie, Pauli, Heisenberg, Jordan and Dirac. More recently, there have been many others, such as Feynman, von Neumann, Bell, etc. You should know how each of the former people have felt about the theory and their arguments for or against the main topics.

Some of the topics of interest are complementarity, hidden variable theories, local versus nonlocal theories, measurement, reality and related topics on wave-particle duality, EPR paradox, and decoherence.

What you should do is to read about these issues and the contributions to the arguments for or against by the major contributors to quantum theory. You should be prepared to defend either side of the issues.

Deadlines

Progress reports are due: November 9, 16, 30.

Report 1. Summary of what you have read to date. You should have read two articles and some biographical material on at least two physicists.

Report 2. Report in depth on one topic: Complementarity, Copenhagen Interpretation, Hidden Variable Theories, Local vs nonlocal theories.

Report 3. Report on the Bohr-Einstein debates and where others might stood on this issue, such as Heisenberg, Feynman, Bohm, Dirac, etc.

All reports are to be typed in 12 pt font, doublespaced and using good English. Your opinions are not requested at this time. Bibliographies and proper citation are required.

Class discussion:

The last week of classes will consist of discussions on the main issues in which you will be told which position to defend on any given day. You will have the opportunity to be on either side of the debates and to argue as if you were one of the main proponents of the issue. The finale will be that you will write a report supporting the view you lean towards the most, citing historical, or current, arguments and experiments. You will be judged on how you present your arguments, how much effort it appears that you have put into your work and the logic behind your arguments. There will be no correct answer, only correct logic and good composition.

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