Short description/annotation
This revised edition to Rae's introductory account contains a new chapter covering theories developed during the past fifteen years.
Main description
Quantum physics is believed to be the fundamental theory underlying our understanding of the physical universe. However, it is based on concepts and principles that have always been difficult to understand and controversial in their interpretation. This book aims to explain these issues using a minimum of technical language and mathematics. After a brief introduction to the ideas of quantum physics, the problems of interpretation are identified and explained. The rest of the book surveys, describes and criticises a range of suggestions that have been made with the aim of resolving these problems; these include the traditional, or 'Copenhagen' interpretation, the possible role of the conscious mind in measurement, and the postulate of parallel universes. This new edition has been revised throughout to take into account developments in this field over the past fifteen years, including the idea of 'consistent histories' to which a completely new chapter is devoted.
Table of contents:
Preface to the second edition; Preface to the first edition; 1. Quantum physics; 2. Which way are the photons pointing(?)33;; 3. What can be hidden in a pair of photons(?)33;; 4. Wonderful Copenhagen(?)33;; 5. Is it all in the mind(?)33;; 6. Many worlds; 7. Is it a matter of size(?)33;; 8. Backwards and forwards; 9. Only one way forward(?)33;; 10. Can we be consistent(?)33;; 11. Illusion or reality(?)33;; Further reading.
This revised edition to Rae's introductory account contains a new chapter covering theories developed during the past fifteen years.
Main description
Quantum physics is believed to be the fundamental theory underlying our understanding of the physical universe. However, it is based on concepts and principles that have always been difficult to understand and controversial in their interpretation. This book aims to explain these issues using a minimum of technical language and mathematics. After a brief introduction to the ideas of quantum physics, the problems of interpretation are identified and explained. The rest of the book surveys, describes and criticises a range of suggestions that have been made with the aim of resolving these problems; these include the traditional, or 'Copenhagen' interpretation, the possible role of the conscious mind in measurement, and the postulate of parallel universes. This new edition has been revised throughout to take into account developments in this field over the past fifteen years, including the idea of 'consistent histories' to which a completely new chapter is devoted.
Table of contents:
Preface to the second edition; Preface to the first edition; 1. Quantum physics; 2. Which way are the photons pointing(?)33;; 3. What can be hidden in a pair of photons(?)33;; 4. Wonderful Copenhagen(?)33;; 5. Is it all in the mind(?)33;; 6. Many worlds; 7. Is it a matter of size(?)33;; 8. Backwards and forwards; 9. Only one way forward(?)33;; 10. Can we be consistent(?)33;; 11. Illusion or reality(?)33;; Further reading.