Purpose This is a continuation of Parts I and II of the paper. In this part it is suggested that microscopic particles behave similarly to macroscopic objects: Features of two entangled particles, having the same “dimension” (kind of feature), may interchange and migrate from one particle to the other while their wave function collapses. In the particular case of electrically charged particles, like an electron and a proton, the migrating features that are interchanged between the particles, may be the electrical charges (that have the same “dimension”). This implies that each atom of matter has some very small probability to be an atom of antimatter, and it may be annihilated if it collides with an atom of matter. The purpose of this study is to suggest how this hypothesis may be tested empirically. Design/methodology/approach The cooler are the molecules of gases, the slower they are. Therefore, according to Heisenberg's principle of uncertainty, the probability that gaseous molecules will collide increases when the gas is cooled. Findings We may expect that when gases are cooled there is a higher than usual probability that gaseous molecules of matter and antimater will collide and will annihilate each other, emitting photons of gamma rays. Such findings has been reported by Molchadzki, but not explained. The same is true regarding other situations in which the probability of collisions of gaseous molecules is higher than the usual, like the colliding of gaseous molecule at the center of an imploding bubble of gas. Originality/value If a procedure that increases the number of collisions between gaseous molecules considerably will be developed, it may be that this procedure will be applicable for obtaining clean energy by annihilations of matter and antimatter.
Purpose This is a continuation of Parts I and II of the paper. In this part it is suggested that microscopic particles behave similarly to macroscopic objects: Features of two entangled particles, having the same “dimension” (kind of feature), may interchange and migrate from one particle to the other while their wave function collapses. In the particular case of electrically charged particles, like an electron and a proton, the migrating features that are interchanged between the particles, may be the electrical charges (that have the same “dimension”). This implies that each atom of matter has some very small probability to be an atom of antimatter, and it may be annihilated if it collides with an atom of matter. The purpose of this study is to suggest how this hypothesis may be tested empirically. Design/methodology/approach The cooler are the molecules of gases, the slower they are. Therefore, according to Heisenberg's principle of uncertainty, the probability that gaseous molecules will collide increases when the gas is cooled. Findings We may expect that when gases are cooled there is a higher than usual probability that gaseous molecules of matter and antimater will collide and will annihilate each other, emitting photons of gamma rays. Such findings has been reported by Molchadzki, but not explained. The same is true regarding other situations in which the probability of collisions of gaseous molecules is higher than the usual, like the colliding of gaseous molecule at the center of an imploding bubble of gas. Originality/value If a procedure that increases the number of collisions between gaseous molecules considerably will be developed, it may be that this procedure will be applicable for obtaining clean energy by annihilations of matter and antimatter.
The two stages of visual perception according to the models of visual search, the preattentional and the attentional, are presented. The first stage is related to the left cerebral hemisphere, while the second to the left one. The phenomenon of illusory conjunction of features during the object‐integration in the macroscopic world is described. It is suggested that the illusory conjunction is similar to the quantum entanglement of microscopic particles. The imagining of microscopic particles, like electron, is explained by the theory of re‐entrant, namely, as activation of primary visual cortical areas by the higher neural system. It is suggested that both macroscopic object‐integration and the microscopic collapse of the wave function are an exchange of the cerebral hemisphere, which create the ontological model of the perceived phenomenon.
In the early 1900s more and more experimental evidence was accumulated indicating that microscopic particles show wave-like properties in certain situations. These particle-wave features are very evident, e.g., in measurements where electrons are diffracted from a double slit to propagate toward a screen where they are detected. Based on the classical averaging of particles discussed in Section 1.2.2, one expects that the double slit only modulates the overall intensity, not the spatial distribution. Experimentally, however, one observes a nearly perfect interference pattern at the screen implying that the electrons exhibit wave averaging features such as discussed in Section 2.1.2. This behavior, originally unexpected for particle beams, persists even if the experiment is repeated such that only one electron at a time passes the double slit before it propagates to the detection screen. Thus, the wave aspect must be an inherent property of individual electrons and not an ensemble effect. Another, independent argument for the failure of classical physics is that the electromagnetic analysis of atoms leads to the conclusion that the negatively charged electron(s) should collapse into the positively charged ion because the electron–ion system loses its energy due to the emission of radiation. As we will see, this problem can be solved by including the wave aspects of particles into the analysis. In particular, as discussed in Section 2.3.3, waves can never be localized to a point without increasing their momentum and energy beyond bounds.
Textbooks often emphasize the philosophical aspects of Heisenberg's Principle calling it “The Uncertainty Principle”. However, as a physical principle there is nothing uncertain about it. In its “exact” form it is a useful relationship between physical parameters. It is an expression of the fact that particles of matter behave simultaneously in two modes: one that is particle like, and the other that is wave like. These two modes are intimately connected, and it is this connection that is expressed in the Heisenberg Principle, and more generally in quantum mechanics including Schrödinger's equation (Atkins and Friedman, 1997). From this viewpoint, the principle can be used to deduce some of the properties of atoms and molecules in a simple way. This method of analysis is quantitative, but it is limited to cases that involve only a single coordinate that is given in advance (Born, 1989). The method has been extended somewhat by Simons and Bloch (1973) to cover some cases involving the angular momentum quantum number. It is a rudimentary form of density functional theory. In a somewhat different form than the one used here, it has been applied to molecules by Parr and his collaborators (Borkman and Parr, 1968). Physical properties can never be measured exactly. Errors, however small, are always present in a measurement procedure. Therefore, measured values of variables are average values derived from a distribution of individual measurements.
The mind–matter relationship remained in the domain of philosophers for aeons. However, the inquisitiveness of the scientific minds has always been trying to understand the science behind its various functions. The scientific temper ushered in by the Renaissance about the 15th century saw the scientists exploring this problem from a science point of view. Technological advances during the later part of the 20th century enabled neuroscientists to explore and localise functions of the brain. However, the most difficult has been understanding the origin of a conscious experience scientifically or materialistically. Despite the delineation of many functions of the brain, the origin of conscious experience, the qualia, in the material brain remains elusive, so much so it came to be called the holy grail of neuroscience. Heisenberg wrote: ‘Physics entered the domain of philosophy with the emergence of consciousness in quantum observation, which incidentally opened the door for reconciliation of science and philosophy’,[1] an event which enabled the predictions of Snow of the merging of arts and sciences.[2,3] Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics relating to very small particles – subatomic particles – electrons, photons, and everything in the submolecular realm, being the smallest units in matter. Quantum theory is the most fundamental theory of matter available at present. Some basic concepts of quantum physics need to be understood. These include “superposition”, where in subatomic particles exist either as waves or particles in a dual nature, never simultaneously. They exist as waves in more than one place at a time and once an observer observes or interferes with (such as measuring) their superposition state collapses to particle state. Quantum entanglement is the phenomenon that occurs when a group of particles which are generated, interact with or share special proximity such that they remain connected even when separated by vast distances. Consciousness is a manifestation of quantum process. Q mind or Q consciousness comprises a group of hypotheses proposing that quantum mechanical phenomena such as entanglement and superposition may play an important part in the functions of the brain and could thus explain the origin of consciousness. Several theories of quantum consciousness have been proposed. Wigner proposed the idea that quantum mechanics has something to do with the workings of the mind and proposed that the wave function collapse in the interaction with conscious observation creates consciousness.[4] Vitiello and Freeman[5] proposed quantum field theory (QFT) of brain states. This theory deals with systems and provides formal elements from which a standard description of brain activity can be inferred. According to QFT, particles are only excited states or simply manifestations of a field. Every particle has its own field that covers all of the universe, which means that, according to QFT, all of the electrons of the universe belong to the same field and could be regarded as one. Bohm formulated the QFT as a deeper theory of quantum theory plus relativity.[6] He viewed mind and matter as projections into our explicate order underlying the implicate order. Quantum brain dynamics (QBD) hypothesis explains the function of the brain within the framework of QFT.[7] It is not yet known exactly how quantum superpositions and their collapse result in the genesis of the raw feels of consciousness, the qualia. Feynman stated ‘if you think you understand quantum mechanics then you do not!’[8] Pribram proposed the holonomic brain theory (quantum holography). He invoked quantum mechanics to explain the higher-order processing by the mind. Pribram provided evidence on how much of the processes in the brain take place in a distributed fashion.[9,10] The composite model of Pribram-Bohm of holoflux hypothesis addresses observed phenomenon of non-locality both spacially and temporally. Bose and Einstein, who first predicted Bose Einstein condensate proposed that water at dendritic membrane surfaces might operate by structuring condensation,[11] supporting QBD. Penrose and Hamoreff proposed the orchestrated-objective reduction (ORCH-OR) in 1989 through 2013. According to them, the microtubules in the neurons (neurotubules), the tubulin protein polymer at the site of quantum collapse, leads to conscious experience. The quantum superposed states which develop in the tubulins remain coherent and recruit more superposed tubulins until a mass-time-energy threshold is reached. At this point, self-collapse or objective reduction occurs, which is equated to a discrete conscious event. Cascades of ORCH-OR events give rise to the stream of consciousness.[12,13] Penrose suggested that objective reduction represents neither randomness nor algorithmic processing but instead a non-computable influence in spacetime geometry from which mathematical understanding and, by later extension, consciousness derives.[14] Quantum vibrations in the microtubules proposed by Bandyopadhyay[15] have been shown to be source of conscious experience by corroborating the Penrose-Hemeroff’s ORCH-OR hypothesis.[13,16] In April 2022, the results of two related experiments at the University of Alberta and Princeton University, announced at The Science of Consciousness conference, provided further evidence to support quantum processes operating within microtubules. However, in another experiment, Gregory D. Scholes and Aarat Kalra of Princeton University used lasers to excite molecules within tubulins, causing a prolonged excitation to diffuse through microtubules further than expected, which did not occur when repeated under anaesthesia.[17,18] Beck and Eccles considered quantum mechanics at the synaptic level. If Orchestrated objective reduction (ORCH-OR) theory is applicable, a similar phenomenon in the microtubules at the presynaptic level, the axon terminal could be invoked for the genesis of consciousness.[19] A recent study by scientists at Trinity College, Dublin, in October 2022,[20] suggests that quantum processes underlie the cognitive and conscious brain functions. The brain–mind operational architectonics is the boundary between and integration point of quantum physics and eastern metaphysics and that it may inspire building a richer and more inclusive paradigm of the brain–mind relation, where quantum physics and eastern metaphysics are inherently intertwined. A body of empirical evidence[21-24] supports these possibilities, strengthening the proposal that the mind–brain relationship may be partially quantum. Quantum information theory clarifies the distinction between the unobservable mind and the observable brain and supports a solid physical foundation for consciousness research. With all these theories trying to explain and understand the theoretical/hypothetical framework for consciousness to explain the subjective experience of consciousness, the experts of this field feel it is still a long way to bridge the gap between current neurobiological and physical–mathematical concepts with their associated quantum–mind theories. Though there is still a long way to go for explaining conscious experience scientifically, when ever this happens, it will become one of the benchmarks in science. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest. Use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for manuscript preparation The authors confirm that there was no use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for assisting in the preparation of the manuscript and no images were manipulated using AI.
Quantum mechanics is a foundational theory in physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy on the smallest scales, typically at the level of atoms and subatomic particles. Unlike classical mechanics, which predicts deterministic outcomes, quantum mechanics is inherently probabilistic. For example, particles can exist in a combination of multiple states simultaneously. Only when we measure them can they ‘collapse’ into one of the possible outcomes. The wave function collapse means particles can behave like waves (with interference patterns) and like particles (with discrete energy levels). When squared, the wave function provides the probability of finding a system in a particular state.
By now, the classical ideal gas should be a familiar system. We can turn to the full quantum theory of an ideal gas. The applications are numerous, and some will be examined in chapter 9. The present chapter develops an effective technique for working with a quantum ideal gas. Coping with many particles all at once Every macroscopic system consists of a great many individual particles. Coping with all of them simultaneously, even if only statistically, can be a daunting task. A flow chart will help us to see some of our accomplishments and to see what steps lie ahead. Figure 8.1 displays such a chart on the supposition that the system consists of one species of particle only, for example, N electrons or N helium atoms (of a specific isotope). If the forces between the particles must be included, then the analysis is difficult. Moreover, there is no general algorithm for proceeding, not even by computer. To be sure, the canonical probability distribution usually is applicable and provides estimates in principle, but the actual evaluation of the partition function, say, defies a direct approach. We have, however, successfully dealt with one such difficult situation. The Debye model for a solid incorporates the inter-particle forces, for example, those between adjacent copper atoms in a crystal. The forces ensure that the motions of adjacent atoms are correlated, and the correlation leads to sound waves, the theoretical basis of the Debye model.