Quantum Mechanics

Notes by Andrius

What is the psychological block in people's thinking about quantum mechanics?

We still think in a frame centric way.

A kinematical framework, a dynamical model for quantum mechanics. The dynamic variables are nonlocal, nonspatial, consistent with a deterministic framework. You don't have to think of it in a probabilistic framework. You can take the Newtonian model of taking a state and the dynamics of a state and watching it evolve.

Look for the least amount of baggage, the minimal set of assumptions. You start in one state, apply a dynamical evolution and arrive in another state. The variables that represent state can't be in three dimensions and time. They are really vectors in a Hilbert state. Is quantum mechanics consistent with a unitary dynamics? If you expand your view enough, then John believes it is. You have to give up this idea that all phenomenon fit in a three dimensional reference frame, in a wave function spread out over space. What's really going on are the quantum states which are transitioning in a straightforward way. Adding space can be straightforward or a total mess.

Book The Quantum Challenge see the Merten's machine. The practical problem is build this machine. The deep idea is that there's no classical way to do it, yet it can be done.

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Comments

AndriusKulikauskas May 9, 2008 22:09 CET Hi John! How are you doing? How is Math and Physics? Check out Stephen Wolfram's website.