Quantum Theory at the Crossroads Reconsidering the 1927 Solvay Conference

Description: Quantum Theory at the Crossroads Reconsidering the 1927 Solvay Conference Translation of the Fifth Solvay Congress proceedings, for graduate students and researchers in physics and quantum theory. Guido Bacciagaluppi (Author), Antony Valentini (Author) 9780521814218, Cambridge University Press Hardback, published 22 October 2009 558 pages 25.3 x 18 x 2.9 cm, 1.24 kg '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 Broglie's historical position and tries to understand why his achievements were neglected, and for this reason alone I would recommend this book.' Jan Faye, Centaurus 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 Broglie's pilot-wave theory (which de Broglie presented for a many-body system), Born and Heisenberg's 'quantum mechanics' (which apparently lacked wave function collapse or fundamental time evolution), and Schrödinger's 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. Part I. Perspectives on the 1927 Solvay Conference: 1. Historical introduction 2. De Broglie's pilot-wave theory 3. From matrix mechanics to quantum mechanics 4. Schrödinger's 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 Broglie's 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. Subject Areas: Mathematical physics [PHU], Physics [PH], History of science [PDX]

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