Quantum Physics Without Quantum Philosophy, 2013

It has often been claimed that without drastic conceptual innovations a genuine explanation of quantum interference effects and quantum randomness is impossible. This book concerns Bohmian mechanics, a simple particle theory that is a counterexample to such claims. The gentle introduction and other contributions collected here show how the phenomena of non-relativistic quantum mechanics, from Heisenberg's uncertainty principle to non-commuting observables, emerge from the Bohmian motion of particles, the natural particle motion associated with Schrödinger's equation. This book will be of value to all students and researchers in physics with an interest in the meaning of quantum theory as well as to philosophers of science.

Quantum Equilibrium and the Origin of Absolute Uncertainty.- Quantum Equilibrium and the Role of Operators as Observables in Quantum Theory.- Quantum Philosophy: The Flight from Reason in Science.- Seven Steps Towards the Classical World.- On the Quantum Probability Flux Through Surfaces.- On the Weak Measurement of Velocity in Bohmian Mechanics.- Topological Factors Derived From Bohmian Mechanics.- Hypersurface Bohm-Dirac Models.- Bohmian Mechanics and Quantum Field Theory.- Quantum Spacetime Without Observers.- Reality and the Role of the Wave Function in Quantum Theory.

Integrates and comments on the authors’ seminal papers in the field

Emphasizes the natural way in which quantum phenomena emerge from the Bohmian picture

Helps to answer many of the objections raised to Bohmian quantum mechanics

Useful overview and summary for newcomers and students

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras