The Quantum Divide: Why Schrodinger's Cat Is Either Dead or Alive

By Christopher C. Gerry and Kimberley M. Bruno

Book Overview

Using a selection of key experiments performed over the past 30 years or so, we present a discussion of the strikingly counter-intuitive phenomena of the quantum world that defy explanation in terms of everyday "common sense" reasoning, and we provide the corresponding quantum mechanical explanations with a very elementary use of associated formalism. Most, but certainly not all, of the experiments we describe are optical experiments involving a very small number of photons (particles of light). We begin with experiments on the wave-particle duality of electrons, proceed to experiments on the particle nature of light and single photon interference, delayed choice experiments and interaction-free detection, then go on to experiments involving the interference of two photons, quantum entanglement and Bell's Theorem, quantum teleportation, large-scale quantum effects and the divide between the classical and quantum worlds, addressing the question as to whether or not there is such a divide.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0199666563
• ISBN13: 9780199666560
• Release Date: March 2013
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"