Copenhagen Quantum Mechanics
Nov 3, 201520 pages
Published in:
- Contemp.Phys. 57 (2016) 3, 289-308
- Published: Nov 30, 2015
e-Print:
- 1511.01069 [quant-ph]
View in:
Citations per year
Abstract: (Taylor and Francis)
In our quantum mechanics courses, measurement is usually taught in passing, as an ad-hoc procedure involving the ugly collapse of the wave function. No wonder we search for more satisfying alternatives to the Copenhagen interpretation. But this overlooks the fact that the approach fits very well with modern measurement theory with its notions of the conditioned state and quantum trajectory. In addition, what we know of as the Copenhagen interpretation is a later 1950s development and some of the earlier pioneers like Bohr did not talk of wave function collapse. In fact, if one takes these earlier ideas and mixes them with later insights of decoherence, a much more satisfying version of Copenhagen quantum mechanics emerges, one for which the collapse of the wave function is seen to be a harmless book keeping device. Along the way, we explain why chaotic systems lead to wave functions that spread out quickly on macroscopic scales implying that Schrödinger cat states are the norm rather than curiosities gene...Note:
- 28 pages, to appear in Contemporary Physics
- Measurement problem
- Copenhagen interpretation
- quantum trajectories
- decoherence
- quantum jumps
- wave function: collapse
- mechanics: classical
- photon: detector
- quantum mechanics
- Schroedinger equation
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