Quantum Mechanics: Historical Contingency and the Copenhagen Hegemony

Portada
University of Chicago Press, 1994 - 317 páginas
Why does one theory "succeed" while another, possibly clearer interpretation, fails? By exploring two observationally equivalent yet conceptually incompatible views of quantum mechanics, James T. Cushing shows how historical contingency can be crucial to determining a theory's construction and its position among competing views.

Since the late 1920s, the theory formulated by Niels Bohr and his colleagues at Copenhagen has been the dominant interpretation of quantum mechanics. Yet an alternative interpretation, rooted in the work of Louis de Broglie in the early 1920s and reformulated and extended by David Bohm in the 1950s, equally well explains the observational data. Through a detailed historical and sociological study of the physicists who developed different theories of quantum mechanics, the debates within and between opposing camps, and the receptions given to each theory, Cushing shows that despite the preeminence of the Copenhagen view, the Bohm interpretation cannot be ignored. Cushing contends that the Copenhagen interpretation became widely accepted not because it is a better explanation of subatomic phenomena than is Bohm's, but because it happened to appear first.

Focusing on the philosophical, social, and cultural forces that shaped one of the most important developments in modern physics, this provocative book examines the role that timing can play in the establishment of theory and explanation.
 

Contenido

Theory Construction and Selection
1
12 Theory choice rational but not unique
5
Formalism Interpretation and Understanding
9
22 Explanation versus understanding
10
23 Examples from physics
12
24 Some attempts at understanding quantum phenomena
16
25 Contingently necessary conditions for understanding
18
Appendix A derivation of the EPRB correlations
22
Early Attempts at Causal Theories A Stillborn Program
124
81 Madelung
125
82 De Broglie
126
83 Einstein
128
84 Kennard Rosen Furth
129
85 Von Neumanns proof
131
Appendix 1 Madelungs derivation
135
Appendix 2 De Broglies guidance argument
136

Standard Quantum Theory
24
32 The formalism
26
33 The interpretation
27
34 Complementaritywaveparticle duality
32
35 Perennial problems
34
Appendix A specific illustration of the measurement problem
40
Bohms Quantum Theory
42
42 New insights
47
43 Is there complete observational equivalence?
53
44 Various types of nonlocality
56
Appendix 1 Some technical details of Bohms program
60
Appendix 2 Quantum tunneling times
72
Alternative Interpretations An Illustration
76
52 Neutron interferometry experiments
78
53 The story told by Bohm
82
Appendix 1 The quantum mechanics of spin flipping
85
Appendix 2 A causal interpretation of the Pauli equation
91
Opposing Commitments Opposing Schools
96
62 The Forman thesis
97
63 Predilections not uniquelysolely determining
101
64 The wavemechanics route
103
65 The matrixmechanics route
107
Competition and Forging Copenhagen
113
72 Copenhagen succeeds
118
Appendix Paulis 1927 criticism of de Broglies theory
122
Appendix 3 Einsteins 1927 hiddenvariables theory
139
Appendix 4 Von Neumanns unwarranted assumption
140
The Fate of Bohms Program
144
92 Continued hostility and general disinterest
152
93 Subsequent work
158
94 Some recent developments since 1980
162
Appendix 1 Nelsons equations
169
Appendix 2 Valentinis Htheorem
171
An Alternative Scenario?
174
102 A Bell theorem
176
103 Einstein and nonlocality
179
104 Fertility and growth
186
Appendix 1 A simple derivation of Bells theorem
193
Appendix 2 The nosignaling theorem
195
Appendix 3 Scalar causal quantum field theory
196
Lessons
199
112 Contingency and scientific theories
203
113 Determinism and indeterminism equivalent?
207
114 So finally
214
Notes
217
References
273
Author Index
301
Subject Index
307
Derechos de autor

Otras ediciones - Ver todas

Quantum Mechanics: Historical Contingency and the Copenhagen Hegemony
James T. Cushing
Vista previa limitada - 1994
Quantum Mechanics: Historical Contingency and the Copenhagen Hegemony
James T. Cushing
Sin vista previa disponible - 1994

Términos y frases comunes

actual appendix argument atomic basic beam Bell's theorem Bohm and Hiley Bohm's theory Bohmian mechanics Bohr Bohr's Broglie Broglie's causal interpretation chapter claim complementarity concept configuration space Copenhagen interpretation correlations Cushing David Bohm determinism deterministic discussion Dürr Einstein electron empirical energy ensemble EPRB equivalence essentially experiment explanation formalism of quantum given Goldstein Heisenberg hidden variables hidden-variables initial interaction interpretation of quantum Jammer Kaloyerou laws logical Madelung mathematical matrix mechanics measurement microsystem motion Neumann's neutron nonlocality observed ontology paper particle Pauli Pauli equation phase phenomena philosophical physicists pilot-wave position possible predictions principle probability problem quan quantum equilibrium quantum mechanics quantum potential quantum theory realist result Schrödinger equation scientific theory Solvay congress space-time spin standard quantum mechanics statistical stochastic subsystem superposition theorem tion trajectories underdetermination Valentini vector velocity version of quantum Vigier wave function wave mechanics wave packet Zanghi

Referencias a este libro

Información bibliográfica

TítuloQuantum Mechanics: Historical Contingency and the Copenhagen Hegemony
Science and Its Conceptual Foundations series
AutorJames T. Cushing
Ediciónilustrada
EditorUniversity of Chicago Press, 1994
ISBN0226132048, 9780226132044
Largo317 páginas
  
Exportar citaBiBTeX EndNote RefMan