A Defence of Free Thinking in Quantum Theory (1953)

Mikhail A. Popov

Michael Alekseevich Popov

Arthur Stanley Eddington

1. I appreciate the careful reply which Dirac, Peierls and Pryce (hereafter referred to as DPP) have made to my criticism of the usual theory of the eigen-functions of a hydrogen atom. Their paper will be generally welcomed because there has not, I think, previously been available an authoritative and clear statement of what is assumed and the grounds for assuming it. Their defence, which is partly on lines I had not expected, has required very serious consideration. But the result of making the arguments more explicit is two-fold. The theory is perhaps more self-consistent than it had appeared to be; but on the other hand, the pressing need for amendment becomes too plain to be overlooked. I have endeavoured to show in the last twelve years that this amendment opens out very fertile extensions.

Paul K. Feyerabend

Patrik Novosad

In this paper we present a structured framework for introducing quantum programming into defence-oriented education and we argue that early literacy in quantum technologies is essential for future military officers. Motivated by the rapid progress of quantum processors and the growing impact of quantum algorithms on cryptanalysis, optimisation, and data processing, we outline both the opportunities and security risks that quantum computing brings to national defence systems. The first part of paper provides a concise introduction to quantum computing fundamentals, including the nature of qubits, superposition and measurement, the action of key quantum gates, and the construction of multi-qubit states through tensor products. The second part demonstrates these principles through simple quantum circuits implemented in Python using Qiskit, illustrating phenomena such as the creation of a maximally entangled two-qubit state and an analogue of the Monty Hall paradox. By combining mathematical concepts with hands-on experimentation in a controlled simulation environment, the proposed teaching approach highlights the operational relevance of quantum thinking for cadets preparing for roles in cyber defence, signals and communications, electronic warfare, and intelligence analysis. The article concludes that integrating quantum programming into military education enhances technological preparedness and strengthens the ability of defence institutions to anticipate quantum-era challenges, including the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography and the incorporation of quantum technologies into multidomain operations.