Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Oxford University Press eBooks

Outlook

A. J. Leggett

Published Oct 5, 2006• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

This brief chapter speculates about the future of physics. It raises the question as to whether, as we progress with the extrapolation of quantum mechanics towards the level of everyday life, we will eventually find that the properties of complex, macroscopic bodies are not, as usually assumed, simply a consequence of those of the microscopic entities composing them, but involve new and currently unforeseeable physical principles.

DOI
10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199211241.003.0006

Related papers

Macroscopic quantum objects

Alastair I. M. Rae

For about ten years now there has been considerable interest in the general problem of the applicability of quantum mechanics to large-scale objects. This arises both because a breakdown of quantum principles in this regime could have profound implications for our understanding of fundamental questions like the quantum measurement problem and because of the possibility that devices operating on new principles might result.

Physics World•Jun 1, 1991•5 citations

Attempts At Explanation

Valerio Scarani

Abstract During the lectures to the students in Fribourg, as with other people foreign to the world of physics, I have stated that my audience was driven to raise the same questions as the physicists: can we accept randomness in physical phenomena? Is interference determined by the mechanisms, and correlations at a distance by an exchange of information? In the presence of non-separability of physical properties, can we still talk about distinct entities? We feel the need to interpret quantum phenomena because we are not at ease with the indistinguishability principle and with some of its consequences. The unease comes from the fact that this principle, which appears to be omnipresent in the microscopic world, is unknown in everyday life and even seems to contradict our normal perceptions – the reader must recall the game with the sets of cars in Chapter 2. Seen from this point of view, the interpretations can be divided into three broad categories:

•Jan 5, 2006•0 citations

Introduction

Keith Hannabuss

Abstract In the first quarter of this century physicists were slowly and somewhat reluctantly forced to realize that the view of the physical world, so painstakingly built up over the preceding four centuries, was in serious need of revision. In particular, the laws that governed the motion of particles on the atomic scale were not those of classical mechanics. Physics found itself catapulted into the strange new world of quantum theory in which the very notion of position or velocity of a particle became blurred and statistical laws dominated everything.

•Mar 20, 1997•0 citations

Quantum basics

Phuong Mai Dinh, Jesús Navarro, E. Suraud

Quantum fluids are fluids, indeed. We have seen in the previous chapter what it means from a classical physics point of view. But quantum fluids are by definition ruled by quantum physics, as well. The goal of this chapter is to introduce some key concepts of quantum physics necessary to understand what makes a fluid a quantum one or rather what quantum property makes an ensemble of particles a quantum fluid. We are here precisely at the edge of our basic intuition of quantum physics. Indeed, one usually associates the notion of quantum object to a microscopic nature and it may thus a priori seem paradoxical to link the word quantum to a macroscopic object, such as the notion of fluid. Thinking it over a bit deeper, quantum physics is certainly present at all scales and we are confronted with quantum mechanics through the many electronic devices which have invaded our everyday life. And it actually turns out that, as we will see later on, most of these quantum devices are directly connected to the notion of quantum fluids, the case of electron fluids being certainly the most common one in such devices. Quantum physics has for sure deeply modified our everyday life. But it has also changed our perception of the world, and as we shall see in this chapter, it is precisely this new vision of the world which allows us to understand the concept of quantum fluids underlying so many physical systems.

CRC Press eBooks•Dec 2, 2024•0 citations

Outlook

Stephen L. Adler

Abstract In this final chapter we turn to issues relating to the role of quaternionic quantum mechanics in physics and to its future development. In the first section, we speculate on the possibility that a new level of physical structure, in which quaternionic quantum field theory plays an essential role, lies near the Planck scale, with the observed physics of the standard model a CC( 1,1) asymptotic dynamics. In the second section, we discuss both experimental tests for residual quaternionic effects and the implications of quaternionic quantum mechanics for conceptual questions in quantum measurement theory. In the third section, we summarize a number of open questions, many already noted earlier in the text, that point to future directions for development of the theory.

•Apr 27, 1995•0 citations

1 On the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

L.D. Faddeev, L.A. Khalfin, I.V. Komarov

The modern physics is characterized by deeper and deeper penetration into the laws of the world of atoms and other minute particles of matter. These laws require not only new experimental techniques to be developed, but also new notions to formulate them. To describe atomic phenomena new methods that are completely different from those used to investigate larger objects of our world are required. The new problem of description of atomic objects is of particular practical importance since the arising notions could be applied to other fields of knowledge. Therefore on the ground of the modern physics some questions of the philosophical character arise. We are going to consider them here.

CRC Press eBooks•May 21, 2004•0 citations
This brief chapter speculates about the future of physics. It raises the question as to whether, as we progress with the extrapolation of quantum mechanics towards the level of everyday life, we will eventually find that the properties of complex, macroscopic bodies are not, as usually assumed, simply a consequence of those of the microscopic entities composing them, but involve new and currently unforeseeable physical principles.
Abstract During the lectures to the students in Fribourg, as with other people foreign to the world of physics, I have stated that my audience was driven to raise the same questions as the physicists: can we accept randomness in physical phenomena? Is interference determined by the mechanisms, and correlations at a distance by an exchange of information? In the presence of non-separability of physical properties, can we still talk about distinct entities? We feel the need to interpret quantum phenomena because we are not at ease with the indistinguishability principle and with some of its consequences. The unease comes from the fact that this principle, which appears to be omnipresent in the microscopic world, is unknown in everyday life and even seems to contradict our normal perceptions – the reader must recall the game with the sets of cars in Chapter 2. Seen from this point of view, the interpretations can be divided into three broad categories:
Abstract In the first quarter of this century physicists were slowly and somewhat reluctantly forced to realize that the view of the physical world, so painstakingly built up over the preceding four centuries, was in serious need of revision. In particular, the laws that governed the motion of particles on the atomic scale were not those of classical mechanics. Physics found itself catapulted into the strange new world of quantum theory in which the very notion of position or velocity of a particle became blurred and statistical laws dominated everything.
Quantum fluids are fluids, indeed. We have seen in the previous chapter what it means from a classical physics point of view. But quantum fluids are by definition ruled by quantum physics, as well. The goal of this chapter is to introduce some key concepts of quantum physics necessary to understand what makes a fluid a quantum one or rather what quantum property makes an ensemble of particles a quantum fluid. We are here precisely at the edge of our basic intuition of quantum physics. Indeed, one usually associates the notion of quantum object to a microscopic nature and it may thus a priori seem paradoxical to link the word quantum to a macroscopic object, such as the notion of fluid. Thinking it over a bit deeper, quantum physics is certainly present at all scales and we are confronted with quantum mechanics through the many electronic devices which have invaded our everyday life. And it actually turns out that, as we will see later on, most of these quantum devices are directly connected to the notion of quantum fluids, the case of electron fluids being certainly the most common one in such devices. Quantum physics has for sure deeply modified our everyday life. But it has also changed our perception of the world, and as we shall see in this chapter, it is precisely this new vision of the world which allows us to understand the concept of quantum fluids underlying so many physical systems.
Abstract In this final chapter we turn to issues relating to the role of quaternionic quantum mechanics in physics and to its future development. In the first section, we speculate on the possibility that a new level of physical structure, in which quaternionic quantum field theory plays an essential role, lies near the Planck scale, with the observed physics of the standard model a CC( 1,1) asymptotic dynamics. In the second section, we discuss both experimental tests for residual quaternionic effects and the implications of quaternionic quantum mechanics for conceptual questions in quantum measurement theory. In the third section, we summarize a number of open questions, many already noted earlier in the text, that point to future directions for development of the theory.
The modern physics is characterized by deeper and deeper penetration into the laws of the world of atoms and other minute particles of matter. These laws require not only new experimental techniques to be developed, but also new notions to formulate them. To describe atomic phenomena new methods that are completely different from those used to investigate larger objects of our world are required. The new problem of description of atomic objects is of particular practical importance since the arising notions could be applied to other fields of knowledge. Therefore on the ground of the modern physics some questions of the philosophical character arise. We are going to consider them here.