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Physics Bulletin

Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

David L Hurd

Published Oct 1, 1972• 161 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Bernard d'Espagnal California: Addison-Wesley 1971 pp xvii + 493 price $12·50 (cloth) $6·95 (paper) Ever since the advent of quantum mechanics, the attempt to provide a clear and comprehensive account of the fundamental physical implications of the quantum formalism has been fraught with conceptual problems. Over the years an extensive body of literature has accumulated, to which some of the most distinguished quantum theorists have contributed.

DOI
10.1088/0031-9112/23/10/028

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Bernard d'Espagnal California: Addison-Wesley 1971 pp xvii + 493 price 12⋅50(cloth)12·50 (cloth) 12⋅50(cloth)6·95 (paper) Ever since the advent of quantum mechanics, the attempt to provide a clear and comprehensive account of the fundamental physical implications of the quantum formalism has been fraught with conceptual problems. Over the years an extensive body of literature has accumulated, to which some of the most distinguished quantum theorists have contributed.
Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Mechanics provides a detailed view of the conceptual foundations and problems of quantum physics, and a clear and comprehensive account of the fundamental physical implications of the quantum formalism. This book deals with nonseparability, hidden variable theories, measurement theories and several related problems. Mathematical arguments are presented with an emphasis on simple but adequately representative cases. The conclusion incorporates a description of a set of relationships and concepts that could compose a legitimate view of the world.
Offering a detailed account of the key concepts and mathematical apparatus of quantum mechanics, this textbook is an ideal companion to both undergraduate and graduate courses. The formal and practical aspects of the subject are explained clearly alongside examples of modern applications, providing students with the tools required to thoroughly understand the theory and apply it. The authors provide an intuitive conceptual framework that is grounded in a coherent physical explanation of quantum phenomena, established over decades of teaching and research in quantum mechanics and its foundations. The book's educational value is enhanced by the inclusion of examples and exercises, with solutions available online, and an extensive bibliography is provided. Notes throughout the text provide fascinating context on the tumultuous history of quantum mechanics, the people that developed it, and the questions that still remain at its center. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Quantum mechanics has brought revolutionary changes in the conceptual foundations of physics and continues to shape the modern world. In this book, the author's emphasis is on helping students comprehend the significance of the underlying principles and understand the ways the new concepts were introduced. Including many worked examples and problems, this book will be an invaluable resource for students in physics, chemistry and electrical engineering needing a clear and rigorous introduction to quantum mechanics.
Quantum Mechanics is an essential topic in today's physics curriculum at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Quantum mechanics can explain the microscopic world with fantastic accuracy; the fruits from its insights have created technologies that have revolutionized the world. Computers, lasers, mobile telephones, optical communications are but a few examples. The language of quantum mechanics is now an accepted part of the language of physics and day-to-day usage of this language provides physicists with the intuition that is essential for achieving meaningful results. Nevertheless, most physicists acknowledge that, at least once in their scientific career, they have had difficulties understanding the foundations of quantum theory, perhaps even the impression that a really satisfactory and convincing formulation of the theory is still lacking. Numerous quantum mechanics textbooks are available for explaining quantum formalism and applying it to understand problems such as the properties of atoms, molecules, liquids, and solids; the interactions between matter and radiation; and more generally to understand the physical world that surrounds us. Other texts are available for elucidating the historical development of this discipline and describing the steps through which it went before quantum mechanics reached its modern formulation. In contrast, books are rare that review the conceptual difficulties of the theory and then provide a comprehensive overview of the various attempts to reformulate quantum mechanics in order to solve these difficulties. The present text by Franck Laloë does precisely this.
Quantum theory underpins much of modern physics and its implications draw the attention of industry, academia and public funding agencies. However there are many unsettled conceptual and philosophical problems in the interpretation of quantum mechanics which are a matter of extensive debate. These hotly debated topics include the meaning of the wave function, the nature of the quantum objects, the role of the observer, the non-locality of the quantum world, and the emergence of classicality from the quantum domain. Containing chapters written by eminent researchers from the fields of physics and philosophy, this book provides interdisciplinary, comprehensive and up-to-date perspectives of the problems related to the interpretation of quantum theory. It is ideal for academic researchers in physics and philosophy working on the ontology of quantum mechanics.