The Experimental Origins of Quantum Mechanics

Danko Dimchev Georgiev

We discuss the origin of quantum complementarity using Feynman's sum-over-histories approach to Quantum Mechanics (QM). We analyze two experimental setups introduced by W. G. Unruh and S. Afshar and show how one should consistently calculate the existence of which-way information using interfering quantum histories. Then we discuss the possible problems associated with the notion of which way information and provide an explanation why Englert-Greenberger duality relation cannot be violated experimentally if the standard QM postulates are accepted.

Mark S Swanson

Mark S. Swanson

Chapter 2 reviews the early atomic level experimental results that led to the formulation of quantum mechanics: blackbody radiation, the photoelectric effect, electron diffraction, and the Hydrogen spectrum.

David Favrholdt

Giampiero V. M. Esposito, Giuseppe Marmo, Gennaro Miele +1 more

Introducing a geometric view of fundamental physics, starting from quantum mechanics and its experimental foundations, this book is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in quantum mechanics and mathematical physics. Focusing on structural issues and geometric ideas, this book guides readers from the concepts of classical mechanics to those of quantum mechanics. The book features an original presentation of classical mechanics, with the choice of topics motivated by the subsequent development of quantum mechanics, especially wave equations, Poisson brackets and harmonic oscillators. It also presents new treatments of waves and particles and the symmetries in quantum mechanics, as well as extensive coverage of the experimental foundations.