The Meaning of the Wave Function

Erscheinungsjahr 2017
ISBN: 978-1-107-12435-6
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 205 Seiten, Format (B × H): 183 mm x 260 mm, Gewicht: 581 g

At the heart of quantum mechanics lies the wave function, a powerful but mysterious mathematical object which has been a hot topic of debate from its earliest stages. Covering much of the recent debate and providing a comprehensive and critical review of competing approaches, this ambitious text provides new, decisive proof of the reality of the wave function. Aiming to make sense of the wave function in quantum mechanics and to find the ontological content of the theory, this book explores new ontological interpretations of the wave function in terms of random discontinuous motion of particles. Finally, the book investigates whether the suggested quantum ontology is complete in solving the measurement problem and if it should be revised in the relativistic domain. A timely addition to the literature on the foundations of quantum mechanics, this book is of value to students and researchers with an interest in the philosophy of physics.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Gao, Shan

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Wissenschafts- und Universitätsgeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Wissenschaftstheorie, Wissenschaftsphilosophie
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface; 1. Quantum mechanics and experience; 2. The wave function: ontic vs epistemic; 3. The nomological view; 4. Reality of the wave function; 5. Origin of the Schrödinger equation; 6. The ontology of quantum mechanics (I); 7. The ontology of quantum mechanics (II); 8. Implications for solving the measurement problem; 9. Quantum ontology and relativity; Epilogue; References; Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Gao, Shan
Shan Gao is an Associate Professor at the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing and a Teaching Professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is the founder and managing editor of the International Journal of Quantum Foundations, and is the author of several books and the editor of the recent anthology Protective Measurement and Quantum Reality: Towards a New Understanding of Quantum Mechanics (Cambridge, 2015). His research focuses on the foundations of quantum mechanics and the history of modern physics.