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Physics Bulletin

A Survey of Hidden Variables Theories

J A Spiers

Published Dec 1, 1974• 15 citations
Publisher

Abstract

F J Belinfante Oxford: Pergamon Press 1973 pp xix + 354 price £8 It is a well known consequence of quantum theory that, because of the uncertainty principle, it is impossible even in theory to predict exactly the observable outcome of any process on the atomic or subatomic scale; only the probabilities of various possible outcomes can be predicted. Although most physicists accept this state of affairs with equanimity there have always been those who regard it as unsatisfactory and who attempt to modify the theory so as to make it strictly deterministic, while retaining its many remarkable successes in accounting for observable phenomena.

DOI
10.1088/0031-9112/25/12/046

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F J Belinfante Oxford: Pergamon Press 1973 pp xix + 354 price £8 It is a well known consequence of quantum theory that, because of the uncertainty principle, it is impossible even in theory to predict exactly the observable outcome of any process on the atomic or subatomic scale; only the probabilities of various possible outcomes can be predicted. Although most physicists accept this state of affairs with equanimity there have always been those who regard it as unsatisfactory and who attempt to modify the theory so as to make it strictly deterministic, while retaining its many remarkable successes in accounting for observable phenomena.
Bohr is said to have remarked that anybody who is not shocked by quantum theory has not understood it. No physicist, however, challenges its practical usefulness in predicting experimental results and providing an explanatory framework for an enormous range of study. Nevertheless, more thoughtful physicists have been astonished and disturbed by what is implied when attempts are made to interpret its meaning. As a result a variety of ingenious, and sometimes bizarre, schemes have been devised since its inception in order to make these implications more acceptable to the scientific mind. Some of these schemes have resulted in proposals which appear stranger than the problems they have been designed to resolve. After some sixty years there is no consensus of opinion upon the solution of the epistemological problems posed. Indeed the debate keeps on resurfacing in the scientific literature and continues to generate library shelves of books. Some progress, however, has been made and the late John Bell himself and the experimental work of Alain Aspect have demonstrated that some epistemological positions cannot be sustained.
This is an enjoyable book by a particle physicist of some distinction, who wrote several books on the theoretical aspects of his subject. He died soon after the book was finished. This book would seem a splendid tribute to his memory. The first five chapters are an excellent introduction to quantum mechanics from the viewpoint of a particle physicist. (A solid state physicist might include some other topics.) The next three chapters give some feeling for the excitement of particle physics and describe some of the zoo of curious creatures discovered in the depths of particle accelerators, and the forces between them: strong, electromagnetic and weak. The final chapter, 'Quantum Fields', is a tour de force. The author has a light touch and a pleasant sense of humour. He does not attempt to explain everything he mentions, but he makes it very clear when he does not. These points are beautifully illustrated by the following extract from the final chapter (p 245). 'It was said above that virtual particles come into play when the real collision ingredients are all close together. In fact, virtual particles are always in play. Even a single real particle, moving along in isolation, can emit and reabsorb virtual particles over and over again. This has the effect of shifting the physical mass of the particle away from the 'bare' value that entered into the Hamiltonian. That shift inevitably turns out to be slightly infinite, and there is a whole technology for isolating and redefining away this and a few other infinities that are characteristic of renormalisable quantum field theories. But we forebear to pursue these delicacies any further here.' I particularly like 'slightly infinite'. The publisher's blurb describes this book as being suitable for popular science readers. It is not. Its level of mathematics would make it very heavy going for anyone who had not taken at least one course in mathematics at university. This is a book which can be strongly recommended as a supplementary text for undergraduates studying quantum mechanics, and also as a book for professional physicists who wish to obtain an up-to-date description and explanation of particle physics. It ought to be in every library. P Borcherds
Abstract We examine the possibility of reformulating quantum theory (QT) as a deterministic ensemble theory which (a) interprets observables as objective properties of physical systems and (b) coincides with QT in all quantitative statements. As will be demonstrated, such an Ensemble-Quantum-Theory (EQT) can only be constructed if (1) one accepts a modified observable-concept, and (2) as long as the theory of measurement is left out of account. A correct treatment of the measuring process is impossible within such an EQT. Consequently, there exist no Hidden-Variable Theories with the properties (a) and (b).
It is not easy for practicing physicists to keep track of the ongoing philosophical debate concerning the "reality'' of the entities they manipulate or the "objective validity'' of the results of their work. In addition, the role of the observer and the theory of the measuring process seem to be themselves controversial. Therefore it may be appropriate to present an interpretation of quantum mechanics which corresponds to the perspective of most practicing physicists, although the author makes no claim to possessing any particular knowledge of the literature in this domain. The final four sections present some more specific descriptions of the concepts used, so that they may also serve for more philosophical discussions.