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Cambridge University Press eBooks

Letters to Henry Folse

Christopher A. Fuchs

Published Jan 6, 2011• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

17 January 2001, “First Contact” I am writing this letter to find out if you are interested in attending a conference in Växjö, Sweden this summer titled “Quantum Theory: Reconsideration of Foundations.” I do this because I have read a few of your papers and parts of your book on Bohr, and I have been extremely impressed. By trade, I am a practitioner of the new field of quantum information theory and computing – and indeed the main session I am organizing at the Växjö meeting will be about quantum foundations reconsidered in that light – but your description of Bohr's thought meshes so well with what I'm seeking in physics that I'd like to get you there too. PLEASE NOTE that this is not exactly a real invitation yet: I am still lobbying for a more philosophical contingent at the meeting. But, I would very much like to hear your reaction just as soon as possible. If things work out, and you would like to come, I will recontact you very soon with further details. The main reason I want you at our meeting is that I have this “madly optimistic” (Mermin called it) feeling that Bohrian–Paulian ideas will lead us to the next stage of physics. That is, that thinking about quantum foundations from their point of view will be the beginning of a new path, not the end of an old one.

DOI
10.1017/cbo9780511762789.017

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Quantum theory : reconsideration of foundations - 3, Växjö, Sweden, 6-11 June 2005

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This Vaxjo conference was devoted to the reconsideration of quantum foundations. Due to increasing research in quantum information theory, especially on quantum computing and cryptography, many questions regarding the foundations of quantum mechanics, which have long been considered to be exclusively of philosophical interest, nowadays play an important role in theoretical and experimental quantum physics.

AIP eBooks•Jan 1, 2006•3 citations

Quantum theory: Reconsideration of foundations

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The purpose of the conference (the fourth in the series of Vaxjo conferences) was to bring together scientists (physicists, mathematicians and philosophers) who are interested in foundations of quantum physics. An emphasis was made on both theory and experiment, the underlying objective being to offer to the physical, mathematical and philosophic communities a truly interdisciplinary conference as a privileged place for a scientific interaction. Due to the actual increased role of foundations in the development of quantum information theory as well as the necessity to reconsider foundations at the beginning of the new millennium, the organizers of the conference decided that it was just the right time for taking the scientific risk of trying this.

arXiv:quant-ph/0302065•Feb 10, 2003•218 citations

Letters to Anton Zeilinger

Christopher A. Fuchs

January 1999, “The (Un-)Detached Observer” Yesterday I ran across your paper “On the Interpretation and Philosophical Foundation of Quantum Mechanics” posted on the web, and was very much impressed with its depth. Most importantly, however, I am sad to say, it reminded me that I still owe you some papers. I have remedied that now by sending you a pile of things that I have written on the relation between information gain and quantum state disturbance. These are relevant to your request above, and, I think, even more relevant to the thoughts in your paper. I am in great agreement with the idea that there may be a deeper foundation to quantum mechanics, one along the lines that Pauli and Wheeler attempted to sketch. Quantum mechanics, it seems to me, is an expression of the best we can say in a world where the observer is not detached (to use Pauli's phrase). Recognizing and appreciating that lack of detachedness is the most exacting tool we have for peering into the greater future of quantum theory. This I think is the ultimate role of quantum information theory. (For the opposite point of view, however, you may be interested in having a look at John Preskill's paper “Quantum Information: Its Future Impact on Physics” at http://theory.caltech.edu/~preskill/.) I hope you will enjoy the things I have sent you; it is always my attempt to be as clear as I possibly can be when I write.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Jan 6, 2011•0 citations

Foundations of probability and physics--5 : Växjö, Sweden, 24-27 August 2008

Luigi Accardi

This conference was devoted to fundamental questions raised by quantum mechanics, especially in quantum information theory. As has become customary in our series of conference in Vaxjo, we were glad to welcome a fruitful assembly of theoretical physicists, experimentalists, mathematicians and even philosophers interested in the foundations of probability and physics. This conference belongs to the series of Vaxjo conferences in foundations of quantum mechanics (especially probabilistic foundations) combined of two subseries, Foundations of Probability and Physics: 2000, 02, 04, 06, 08, and Quantum Theory: Reconsideration of Foundations: 2001, 03, 05, 07. We also mention the first Vaxjo conference: Bohmian mechanics 2000. This is definitely the longest series of conferences on foundations in the history of quantum mechanics.

AIP eBooks•Jan 1, 2009•0 citations

Letters to Doug Bilodeau

Christopher A. Fuchs

22 August 1999, “Your Article” I am writing to let you know that I enjoyed your article quant-ph/9812050, “Why Quantum Mechanics is Hard to Understand,” very much. I was in particular very pleased with your Section IV “Dynamics vs. History.” It may interest you to know that Markus Fierz expressed a similar point of view in his article: “Does a physical theory comprehend an ‘objective, real, single process’?” in Observation and Interpretation in the Philosophy of Physics , edited by S. Körner (Dover, NY, 1957), pp. 93–96. I will append the full text below for your enjoyment. [See note to Rüdiger Schack, dated 29 August 1999.] Most importantly, I would like to ask you for the final coordinates of your paper. Was it published somewhere? I would like to cite it in an upcoming paper. 28 August 1999, “Not Much” I don't have a good idea about where to send your paper. I think chances are that AJP will be tougher than FP . In any case, it had an impact on me. My old advisor used to say of our joint papers, “If three people read this paper, we'll be doing OK!” If you know of two others with yours, you're probably doing OK. I like this focus on the concept of “object.” I look forward to anything you might have to say about it. I have some slides that I use as a rallying cry to the idea that quantum information theory may have some impact on quantum foundations. The first is a list of axioms for quantum mechanics.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Jan 6, 2011•0 citations

Letters to Jeffrey Bub

Christopher A. Fuchs

03 April 2000, “Foundations in the Light of Information” Below is a slightly modified version of the invitation letter I sent everyone. (The only change is an update on the attendance.) Looking forward to seeing you again. (BTW, I hope you'll take the problems list seriously.) Dear friends, Gilles Brassard and I are organizing a little meeting in Montréal from Wednesday May 17 through Friday May 19 on the subject of “Quantum Foundations in the Light of Quantum Information and Cryptography.” We hope you can come. Mainly the purpose of the meeting is to gather a group of our friends who think that some aspects of quantum foundations are a little more mysterious than they ought to be and, importantly, are intrigued by the idea of applying quantum information to the task of cleaning things up. The atmosphere of the meeting should be quite relaxed with plenty of time for discussion and/or private brooding: we only ask that you be prepared to give a 20 to 30 minute talk (though longer talks are welcome too) expressing your point of view and any avenues for progress you foresee. Attendants are also encouraged to compile and share a list of concrete problems whose solution would tell us something novel about the quantum foundations.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Jan 6, 2011•0 citations
17 January 2001, “First Contact” I am writing this letter to find out if you are interested in attending a conference in Växjö, Sweden this summer titled “Quantum Theory: Reconsideration of Foundations.” I do this because I have read a few of your papers and parts of your book on Bohr, and I have been extremely impressed. By trade, I am a practitioner of the new field of quantum information theory and computing – and indeed the main session I am organizing at the Växjö meeting will be about quantum foundations reconsidered in that light – but your description of Bohr's thought meshes so well with what I'm seeking in physics that I'd like to get you there too. PLEASE NOTE that this is not exactly a real invitation yet: I am still lobbying for a more philosophical contingent at the meeting. But, I would very much like to hear your reaction just as soon as possible. If things work out, and you would like to come, I will recontact you very soon with further details. The main reason I want you at our meeting is that I have this “madly optimistic” (Mermin called it) feeling that Bohrian–Paulian ideas will lead us to the next stage of physics. That is, that thinking about quantum foundations from their point of view will be the beginning of a new path, not the end of an old one.
The purpose of the conference (the fourth in the series of Vaxjo conferences) was to bring together scientists (physicists, mathematicians and philosophers) who are interested in foundations of quantum physics. An emphasis was made on both theory and experiment, the underlying objective being to offer to the physical, mathematical and philosophic communities a truly interdisciplinary conference as a privileged place for a scientific interaction. Due to the actual increased role of foundations in the development of quantum information theory as well as the necessity to reconsider foundations at the beginning of the new millennium, the organizers of the conference decided that it was just the right time for taking the scientific risk of trying this.
January 1999, “The (Un-)Detached Observer” Yesterday I ran across your paper “On the Interpretation and Philosophical Foundation of Quantum Mechanics” posted on the web, and was very much impressed with its depth. Most importantly, however, I am sad to say, it reminded me that I still owe you some papers. I have remedied that now by sending you a pile of things that I have written on the relation between information gain and quantum state disturbance. These are relevant to your request above, and, I think, even more relevant to the thoughts in your paper. I am in great agreement with the idea that there may be a deeper foundation to quantum mechanics, one along the lines that Pauli and Wheeler attempted to sketch. Quantum mechanics, it seems to me, is an expression of the best we can say in a world where the observer is not detached (to use Pauli's phrase). Recognizing and appreciating that lack of detachedness is the most exacting tool we have for peering into the greater future of quantum theory. This I think is the ultimate role of quantum information theory. (For the opposite point of view, however, you may be interested in having a look at John Preskill's paper “Quantum Information: Its Future Impact on Physics” at http://theory.caltech.edu/~preskill/.) I hope you will enjoy the things I have sent you; it is always my attempt to be as clear as I possibly can be when I write.
This conference was devoted to fundamental questions raised by quantum mechanics, especially in quantum information theory. As has become customary in our series of conference in Vaxjo, we were glad to welcome a fruitful assembly of theoretical physicists, experimentalists, mathematicians and even philosophers interested in the foundations of probability and physics. This conference belongs to the series of Vaxjo conferences in foundations of quantum mechanics (especially probabilistic foundations) combined of two subseries, Foundations of Probability and Physics: 2000, 02, 04, 06, 08, and Quantum Theory: Reconsideration of Foundations: 2001, 03, 05, 07. We also mention the first Vaxjo conference: Bohmian mechanics 2000. This is definitely the longest series of conferences on foundations in the history of quantum mechanics.
22 August 1999, “Your Article” I am writing to let you know that I enjoyed your article quant-ph/9812050, “Why Quantum Mechanics is Hard to Understand,” very much. I was in particular very pleased with your Section IV “Dynamics vs. History.” It may interest you to know that Markus Fierz expressed a similar point of view in his article: “Does a physical theory comprehend an ‘objective, real, single process’?” in Observation and Interpretation in the Philosophy of Physics , edited by S. Körner (Dover, NY, 1957), pp. 93–96. I will append the full text below for your enjoyment. [See note to Rüdiger Schack, dated 29 August 1999.] Most importantly, I would like to ask you for the final coordinates of your paper. Was it published somewhere? I would like to cite it in an upcoming paper. 28 August 1999, “Not Much” I don't have a good idea about where to send your paper. I think chances are that AJP will be tougher than FP . In any case, it had an impact on me. My old advisor used to say of our joint papers, “If three people read this paper, we'll be doing OK!” If you know of two others with yours, you're probably doing OK. I like this focus on the concept of “object.” I look forward to anything you might have to say about it. I have some slides that I use as a rallying cry to the idea that quantum information theory may have some impact on quantum foundations. The first is a list of axioms for quantum mechanics.
03 April 2000, “Foundations in the Light of Information” Below is a slightly modified version of the invitation letter I sent everyone. (The only change is an update on the attendance.) Looking forward to seeing you again. (BTW, I hope you'll take the problems list seriously.) Dear friends, Gilles Brassard and I are organizing a little meeting in Montréal from Wednesday May 17 through Friday May 19 on the subject of “Quantum Foundations in the Light of Quantum Information and Cryptography.” We hope you can come. Mainly the purpose of the meeting is to gather a group of our friends who think that some aspects of quantum foundations are a little more mysterious than they ought to be and, importantly, are intrigued by the idea of applying quantum information to the task of cleaning things up. The atmosphere of the meeting should be quite relaxed with plenty of time for discussion and/or private brooding: we only ask that you be prepared to give a 20 to 30 minute talk (though longer talks are welcome too) expressing your point of view and any avenues for progress you foresee. Attendants are also encouraged to compile and share a list of concrete problems whose solution would tell us something novel about the quantum foundations.