In analogy with Bohm's elucidation of special relativity, in this paper we criticize the Copenhagen interpretation and seek the way to re-interpret quantum theory in the light of new evidence of quantum optics. In doing this, we are led to regard the real photon as only expressing an elemental relationship established between a quantized light field and a detector in the actual detection processes. With such a kind of relational approach to quantum physics, new concepts then are needed to describe physical phenomena, and the mathematical structure of quantum theory of radiation is viewed as a conceptual map, in the same way as the Minkowski diagram in Einstein's special relativity, which already has the perspective of the observer implicit in it.
In analogy with Bohm's elucidation of special relativity, in this paper we criticize the Copenhagen interpretation and seek the way to re-interpret quantum theory in the light of new evidence of quantum optics. In doing this, we are led to regard the real photon as only expressing an elemental relationship established between a quantized light field and a detector in the actual detection processes. With such a kind of relational approach to quantum physics, new concepts then are needed to describe physical phenomena, and the mathematical structure of quantum theory of radiation is viewed as a conceptual map, in the same way as the Minkowski diagram in Einstein's special relativity, which already has the perspective of the observer implicit in it.
It has been over 150 years since light was first considered a form of electromagnetic radiation. There is substantial evidence that the current well-established theory, that light quanta (photons) are a form of electromagnetic radiation, is incorrect. This is largely because the theory was first introduced based on assumptions not evidence. The experimental evidence, and the requirements of quantum mechanics, are largely incompatible with the existing theory and the conceptual models regarding the nature of light quanta. Several inconsistencies associated with the current belief and the associated conceptual model are identified. An entirely new and radically different conceptual model is proposed. A conceptual model that embraces what is currently known about light quanta, from both a classical and quantum-mechanical perspective. The proposed conceptual model strongly supports the Information Interpretation of quantum mechanics; a growing belief that information is a fundamental aspect of nature. Several examples of common phenomena, such as the double-slit experiment, are discussed to show how the proposed model of light quanta provides a simpler and more consistent explanation of experimental results and removes many of the apparent mysteries.
Authored by a highly regarded international researcher and pioneer in the field, An Introduction to Quantum Optics: Photon and Biphoton Physics is a straightforward overview of basic principles and experimental evidence for the quantum theory of light. This book introduces and analyzes some of the most exciting experimental research to date in the field of quantum optics and quantum information, helping readers understand the revolutionary changes occurring in optical science. Paints a picture of light in terms of general quantum interference, to reflect the physical truth behind all optical observations Unlike most traditional books on the subject, this one introduces fundamental classical and quantum concepts and measurement techniques naturally and gradually as it explores the process of analyzing typical experimental observations. Separating itself from other books with this uncommon focus on the experimental part of analysis, this volume: Provides a general overview of the optical coherence of light without quantization Introduces concepts and tools of field quantization and quantum optics based on the principles and rules of quantum mechanics Analyzes similarities and differences between classical and quantum coherence Concentrates on key research topics in quantum optics Explains photon and biphoton physics by examining the devices and experimental procedures used to test theories This book is basic enough for students, but it also covers a broad range of higher-level concepts that will benefit scientists and other professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of practical and theoretical aspects and new experimental methods of measurement. This material summarizes exciting developments and observations and then helps readers of all levels apply presented concepts and tools to summarize, analyze, and resolve quantum optical problems in their own work. It is a great aid to improve methods of discovering new physics and better understand and apply nontraditional concepts and interpretations in both new and historical experimental discoveries.
In modern physics the common relational approach should be extended to the concepts of element and set. The relationalization of the concepts of element and set means that in the final analysis the World exists as an indivisible whole, not as a set (of one or another kind of elements). Therefore, we have to describe quantum systems in terms of potentialities and probabilities: since quantum systems cannot be analyzed completely into sets of elements, we can speak only of the potentialities of isolating elements and sets within their structure. On the other hand this quantum property of the world as an indivisible whole accounts for the astonishing logical properties of the structure of the potentialities of quantum systems which it brings forth. This has been confirmed by quantum-correlation experiments (A.Aspect and oth.). These effects have a relational nature, not a physical-causal or material one, and they are brought forth by the changes (resulting from measurement or physical interaction) in the structure of the relations of the mutually complementary sides of reality. One of these sides expresses an actually existing structure of the system as a real (and physically verifiable) but only relatively separable set, and the other expresses the sets of potentialities in it which arise from the astonishing property of finite non-analyzability of the system into elements and sets (i.e. by the quantum property of the world as an indivisible unit).
In the well known Copenhagen interpretation of Quantum mechanics, advocated by N. Bohr, the physical objects and the experimental results can be described only in a macroscopic language, leaving any possible microscopic description as unspeakable. This point of view has been deepened by C. Rovelli in the relational interpretation of Quantum mechanics. Most of the alternative interpretations, which try a detailed microscopic description of physical phenomena and of their evolution, have in common the explicit introduction of the wave function as the basic element of the theory. These interpretations require the notion of quantum state as the fundamental concept of the theory, which is the typical unspeakable physical element according to the Copenhagen interpretation. The two basic physical entities are intimately bound together by the integrity of the wave function. These interpretations are usually indicated as realistic. It is well known that the use of the wave function and its time evolution in the description of the physical processes leads unavoidably to some difficulties or so-called paradoxes. The measurement problem is at the center of these difficulties, mainly because it requires the introduction of the reduction process of the wave function, which is not included explicitly within the mathematical formalism of Quantum Mechanics. In this paper we build up and propose a model which goes beyond the standard formalism and which is able to solve the measurement problem and all the other difficulties which, in a way or in another, are related to it.
The realist point of view of a physical theory assumes that physical concepts must have a correspondent in the phenomenological world. We adopt a slightly modified form of realism, based on Carnap's separation of languages, in which only the observational concepts, belonging to the observational language, have a phenomenological correspondent. Other physical concepts, belonging to a theoretical language, do not correspond to entities in the physical world. This point of view is named observational realism. Based on these ideas, we review the notions of relativistic and quantum observation, independently from measurement, and show that there is a discrepancy between the concepts of wave light in relativity and in quantum mechanics.
Quantum Mechanics (QM) represents the currently best mathematical theory and computational tool available to quantitatively model the outcomes of measurements in the microscopic world. However, the various interpretations of the theory, including the currently dominant Copenhagen Interpretation, remain actively debated and contested in mainstream scientific journals. This puts us in the curious position of having a theory which evidently maps a significant portion of physical reality, but we still do not fully understand the relationship between its mathematical constituents and physical reality. This thesis develops a more intuitive understanding of QM based on the physical interaction processes occurring within our detectors. Using a semi- classical point of view, I first present a process-based derivation of the black-body spectrum, the mathematically accurate description of which, as first accomplished by Planck, led to the development of modern QM. I further demonstrate that ignoring interpretations like the Copenhagen Interpretation and focusing on measurable light-matter interaction processes provides an alternative productive way forward. I focus specifically on superposition effects created by multiple electro- magnetic waves simultaneously stimulating appropriate detectors, by mapping the interaction processes that result in the reported data. As a result I present a simple model of the detector signal that incorporates some of the important physical processes which do date have suffered from a lack of attention. One key observation of this discussion corresponds to the fact that in the linear domain wave amplitudes by themselves do not interact to generate observable data - the response to the joint amplitude stimulation of a detector and the ensuing energy absorption on the other hand do represent observables. Much of the confusion as well as many of QM’s paradoxes and contentious issues inherent in various interpretations of the theory resolve automatically when we remain focused on the interaction processes that give rise to the measurable superposition effect, rather than the unobservable superposition principle that the standard interpretations struggle to give meaning to. Demanding, as I do in this thesis, a close correspondence between our mathematical symbols and physical quantities, as well as between mathematical operations and physical processes demonstrates that QM maps more of physical reality than what the Copenhagen Interpretation allows us to extract from the QM formalism.