Faculty Research Perspectives
Quantum Theory Demystified
Roderich TumulkaApril 14, 3:30 PM in Hill 705
Abstract.
Quantum theory is, on the one hand, the most successful physical theory ever, and on the other hand, thoroughly incoherent. Physicist Richard Feynman famously said, "I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics." In order to calculate correct figures, one invokes several mutually incompatible principles, a method termed "complementarity" by Niels Bohr. That is not really a satisfactory situation. The good news is: There do exist completely clear explanations of quantum mechanics. The bad news: They have not received sufficient attention. In fact, there exist essentially two, Bohmian mechanics and spontaneous collapse. Familiarity with these theories will give any young researcher a crucial advantage when dealing with quantum mechanics. The hot questions in present research concern adapting these theories to Einstein's theory of relativity.