Quantum Theory at the Crossroads: Reconsidering the 1927 Solvay Conference by An

Description: Quantum Theory at the Crossroads: Reconsidering the 1927 Solvay Conference by Antony Valentini, Guido Bacciagaluppi This book contains a complete translation of the original proceedings of the 1927 Solvay conference, with background essays and an extensive analysis in light of current research. This book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in physics, and the history and philosophy of quantum theory. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description The 1927 Solvay conference was perhaps the most important in the history of quantum theory. Contrary to popular belief, questions of interpretation were not settled at this conference. Instead, a range of sharply conflicting views were extensively discussed, including de Broglies pilot-wave theory (which de Broglie presented for a many-body system), Born and Heisenbergs quantum mechanics (which apparently lacked wave function collapse or fundamental time evolution), and Schroedingers wave mechanics. Today, there is no longer a dominant interpretation of quantum theory, so it is important to re-evaluate the historical sources and keep the debate open. This book contains a complete translation of the original proceedings, with essays on the three main interpretations presented, and a detailed analysis of the lectures and discussions in the light of current research. This book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in physics and in the history and philosophy of quantum theory. Author Biography Guido Bacciagaluppi is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Time, University of Sydney. His research interests lie mainly in the philosophy of physics. He has contributed significantly to the development and critique of modal interpretations of quantum mechanics, and he has since worked widely in various approaches to the foundations of quantum theory, as well as in the philosophy of probability and time and in the history of quantum mechanics. Antony Valentini is a Research Associate in the Theoretical Physics Group, Imperial College London. He proposed that the universe began with a non-quantum distribution of hidden variables, which later relaxed to the quantum equilibrium state we see today. He has pioneered the development of new physics of quantum nonequilibrium, de Broglie-Bohm theory, and hidden-variables theories generally, and has explored its possible role in cosmology, black holes, and information theory. He also works in the history and philosophy of modern physics. Table of Contents Part I. Perspectives on the 1927 Solvay Conference: 1. Historical introduction; 2. De Broglies pilot-wave theory; 3. From matrix mechanics to quantum mechanics; 4. Schroedingers wave mechanics; Part II. Quantum Foundations and the 1927 Solvay Conference: 5. Quantum theory and the measurement problem; 6. Interference, superposition, and wave packet collapse; 7. Locality and incompleteness; 8. Time, determinism, and the spacetime framework; 9. Guiding fields in 3-space; 10. Scattering and measurement in de Broglies pilot-wave theory; 11. Pilot-wave theory in retrospect; 12. Beyond the Bohr-Einstein debate; Part III. The Proceedings of the 1927 Solvay Conference: The intensity of X-ray reflection; Disagreements between experiment and the electromagnetic theory of radiation; The new dynamics of quanta; Quantum mechanics; Wave mechanics; General discussion; Appendix; References; Index. Review Considering the development of quantum mechanics, Quantum Theory at the Crossroads offers a very stimulating viewpoint as its authors take a rather polarizing stance. Overall, it provides an important and inspiring history of quantum mechanics, being most valuable for its translation of the conference proceedings and its account of de Broglies often neglected pilot-wave theory. Martin Jahnert, Metascience ... a most useful volume for historians and philosophers of physics alike. The excellent introduction and the important sources make [it] a most valuable contribution to the philosophy and history of quantum mechanics. It should be included in the reading list of every class on that subject, and it should be read by anyone who is concerned with the conceptual problems of quantum mechanics. I also recommend it to physicists who are looking for a good place to start reading about the historical emergence of interpretational problems of modern quantum theory. Isis ... this book could play a role in guiding readers to the original works of de Broglie and Bohm, and ... promote a more open-minded appreciation of their contributions than is customary even now. Contemporary Physics ... the book is already a very important contribution to our understanding of the Fifth Solvay Conference. The translation of the proceedings will make the various voices of the various participants much more accessible to a wide audience, and the historical account of how the conference came to be, how the various participants thought about and prepared their own contributions, and how the proceedings themselves were prepared will be an eye-opener for many readers. The truth about the conference is far more interesting than the fictions that are usually promulgated, and the authors do an excellent job debunking those fictions. Perhaps the lesson to learn here is that contemplating the Fifth Solvay Conference is a bit like taking a Rorschach inkblot test. The authors own contemplation is ambitious, thought provoking, delightfully detailed, and itself deserving of further contemplation. Michael Dickson, Philosophy of Science On the whole, the authors arguments are well thought through and balanced. But in my opinion the most vital aspect of the book is that it highlights de Broglies historical position and tries to understand why his achievements were neglected, and for this reason alone I would recommend this book. Jan Faye, Centaurus "Overall, Quantum Theory at the Crossroads provides an important and inspirational history of quantum mechanics, being most valuable for its translation of the conference proceedings and its account of de Broglies often neglected wave theory." Martin Jahnert, Physics Today "... Bacciagaluppi and Valentini have put together a most useful volume for historians and philosophers of physics alike. The excellent introduction and the important sources make this volume a most valuable contribution to the philosophy and history of quantum mechanics. It should be included in the reading list of every class on that subject, and it should be read by anyone who is concerned with the conceptual problems of quantum mechanics. I also recommend it to physicists who are looking for a good place to start reading about the historical emergence of interpretational problems of modern quantum theory." Tilman Sauer, ISIS Considering the development of quantum mechanics, Quantum Theory at the Crossroads offers a very stimulating viewpoint as its authors take a rather polarizing stance. Overall, it provides an important and inspiring history of quantum mechanics, being most valuable for its translation of the conference proceedings and its account of de Broglies often neglected pilot-wave theory. Martin Jahnert, Metascience "... this book could play a role in guiding readers to the original works of de Broglie and Bohm, and ... promote a more open-minded appreciation of their contributions than is customary even now." Contemporary Physics "... the book is already a very important contribution to our understanding of the Fifth Solvay Conference. The translation of the proceedings will make the various voices of the various participants much more accessible to a wide audience, and the historical account of how the conference came to be, how the various participants thought about and prepared their own contributions, and how the proceedings themselves were prepared will be an eye-opener for many readers. The truth about the conference is far more interesting than the fictions that are usually promulgated, and the authors do an excellent job debunking those fictions. Perhaps the lesson to learn here is that contemplating the Fifth Solvay Conference is a bit like taking a Rorschach inkblot test. The authors own contemplation is ambitious, thought provoking, delightfully detailed, and itself deserving of further contemplation." MICHAEL DICKSON, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA for Philosophy of Science "On the whole, the authors arguments are well thought through and balanced. But in my opinion the most vital aspect of the book is that it highlights de Broglies historical position and tries to understand why his achievements were neglected, and for this reason alone I would recommend this book." Jan Faye, University of Copenhagen, Denmark for Centaurus Review Quote "... this book could play a role in guiding readers to the original works of de Broglie and Bohm, and ... promote a more open-minded appreciation of their contributions than is customary even now." Contemporary Physics Promotional "Headline" Translation of the Fifth Solvay Congress proceedings, for graduate students and researchers in physics and quantum theory. Description for Bookstore This book contains a complete translation of the original proceedings of the 1927 Solvay conference, with background essays and an extensive analysis in light of current research. This book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in physics, and the history and philosophy of quantum theory. Description for Library This book contains a complete translation of the original proceedings of the 1927 Solvay conference, with background essays and an extensive analysis in light of current research. This book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in physics, and the history and philosophy of quantum theory. Details ISBN0521814219 Short Title QUANTUM THEORY AT THE CROSSROA Publisher Cambridge University Press Language English ISBN-10 0521814219 ISBN-13 9780521814218 Media Book Format Hardcover Year 2009 Publication Date 2009-07-31 Author Guido Bacciagaluppi Imprint Cambridge University Press Subtitle Reconsidering the 1927 Solvay Conference Place of Publication Cambridge Country of Publication United Kingdom DEWEY 530.12 Illustrations 2 b/w illus. Pages 530 Affiliation Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London DOI 10.1604/9780521814218 Audience Professional and Scholarly UK Release Date 2009-10-22 AU Release Date 2009-10-22 NZ Release Date 2009-10-22 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:91370635;

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