For many physicists quantum theory contains strong conceptual difficulties, while for others the apparent conclusions about the reality of our physical world and the ways in which we discover that reality remain philosophically unacceptable. This book focuses on recent theoretical and experimental developments in the foundations of quantum physics, including topics such as the puzzles and paradoxes which appear when general relativity and quantum mechanics are combined; the emergence of classical properties from quantum mechanics; stochastic electrodynamics; EPR experiments and Bell's Theorem; the consistent histories approach and the problem of datum uniqueness in quantum mechanics; non-local measurements and teleportation of quantum states; quantum non-demolition measurements in optics and matter wave properties observed by neutron, electron and atomic interferometry. Audience: This volume is intended for graduate students of physics and those interested in the foundations of quantum theory.

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.

Ed. Daniel Greenberger, 750pp May 1995 164.95

Sample Text

"Quantum physics is based on four fundamental interactions of electromagnetic, weak, gravitational and strong forces. All the interactions are expressed in terms of fermion and boson fields which can describe the quantum states of electrons, nucleons and p"

This book aims to give the non-specialist reader a general overview of what physicists think they do and do not know in some representative frontier areas of contemporary physics. It focuses on the fundamental problems at the heart of the subject, and emphasizes the provisional nature of our present understanding of things.

Quantum physics is based on four fundamental interactions of electromagnetic, weak, gravitational and strong forces. All the interactions are expressed in terms of fermion and boson fields which can describe the quantum states of electrons, nucleons and photons in atoms or nuclei. Correct behaviors of these particles can now be described by the basic field theory terminology, and this textbook explains, for the first time, quantum field theory in a unifying method. At present, modern quantum theory is at a critical junction between different theories, and this textbook presents a clear description of fundamental quantum fields with a sound theoretical framework. No exotic theoretical concepts such as general relativity nor spontaneous symmetry breaking nor quantum anomaly are adopted in this textbook, and indeed all the observed physical quantities can be well understood within the standard field theory framework without introducing any non-physical particles or fields. From this textbook, readers will be guided through a concrete future direction of quantum field theory and will learn how the motion of electrons in any kind of material can be understood in terms of fields or state vectors. Readers will also learn about application of basic field theory in quantum chemistry, quantum biology and so on. Fundamental Problems in Quantum Field Theory is a handy resource for undergraduate and graduate students as well as supervisors involved in advanced courses in quantum physics.