Quantum Paradoxes: Quantum Theory for the Perplexed by Yakir Aharonov | (PDF) Free Download

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A Guide through the Mysteries of Quantum Physics! Yakir Aharonov is one of the pioneers in measuring theory, the nature of quantum correlations, superselection rules, and geometric phases and has been awarded numerous scientific honors. The author has contributed monumental concepts to theoretical physics, especially the Aharonov-Bohm effect and the Aharonov-Casher effect. Together with Daniel Rohrlich, Israel, he has written a pioneering work on the remaining mysteries of quantum mechanics. From the perspective of a preeminent researcher in the fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics, the text combines mathematical rigor with penetrating and concise language. More than 200 exercises introduce readers to the concepts and implications of quantum mechanics that have arisen from the experimental results of the recent two decades. With students as well as researchers in mind, the authors give an insight into that part of the field, which led Feynman to declare that “nobody understands quantum mechanics”. * Free solutions manual available for lecturers at www.wiley-vch.de/supplements/

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Editorial Reviews: Review “This is a wonderful book for everyone who wishes to deep the knowledge and understanding of the foundations of quantum mechanics.[…] As a whole, “Quantum Paradoxes. Quantum Theory for the Perplexed” is an exclusively rare and inspirational book on quantum mechanics that explores the never-ending mysterious quantum paradoxes to bring the readers to the QuantumWonderland. This book I do believe should be recommended to everyone.” Zentralblatt MATH”Das Buch ist anspruchsvoll, aber nicht nur für Physik-Interessierte ein Gewinn, sondern auch für alle, die sich mit naturphilosophischen Fragen auseinandersetzen.” Das Science Fiction Jahr – Wissenschaftsbücher 2005 From the Inside Flap Yakir Aharonov is one of the pioneers in measuring theory, the nature of quantum correlations, superselection rules, and geometric phases and, as such, has made monumental contributions to theoretical physics. Together with Daniel Rohrlich of the Weizmann Institute, Israel, he has written here a groundbreaking work on the remaining mysteries of quantum mechanics. With both students as well as researchers in mind, the authors provide an insight into that part of the field that led Feynman to declare “nobody understands quantum mechanics”. From the Back Cover Yakir Aharonov is one of the pioneers in measuring theory, the nature of quantum correlations, superselection rules, and geometric phases and, as such, has made monumental contributions to theoretical physics. Together with Daniel Rohrlich of the Weizmann Institute, Israel, he has written here a groundbreaking work on the remaining mysteries of quantum mechanics. With both students as well as researchers in mind, the authors provide an insight into that part of the field that led Feynman to declare “nobody understands quantum mechanics”. About the Author Professor Yakir Aharonov, born in 1932, studied physics at Technion in Haifa, Israel, and Bristol University, England, where he received his PhD in 1960. He currently works as Professor of Physics at the University of Tel Aviv and the University of South Carolina. Professor Aharonov’s research interests are nonlocal and topological effects in quantum mechanics, relativistic quantum field theories, and interpretations of quantum mechanics. Professor Aharonov is an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Daniel Rohrlich, born in 1954, received his Ph.D. in physics in 1986 from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He works as a researcher and lecturer at Ben Gurion University in Beersheva, Israel. His research interests include fundamental aspects and effects of quantum mechanics, quantum information, mesoscopic and cold-atom physics, and path integrals. Read more

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Understanding how to calculate quantum mechanics does not provide an understanding of quantum mechanics. This book addresses understanding quantum mechanics at a deeper level than calculations provide. Aharonov and Rohrlich organize “Quantum Paradoxes” not by examining progressively more complicated quantum systems to calculate as in conventional textbooks (i.e. first one dimensional potentials, later three dimensional, etc.) but by analyzing paradoxical phenomena to enhance understanding. Novel techniques for making nondisturbing measurement devised by Aharonov and collaborators are presented. These new types of measurements lead to sometimes surprising insights into what is essentially “quantum” about quantum mechanics and the many ways in which a quantum system can be probed. There are numerous subject areas covered throughout “Quantum Paradoxes”, but I will review the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect, quantum measurement, and a particular type of measurement called weak measurement.One might expect that if an electron passes through a double slit in which neither region after the slit has an electric or magnetic field, then there will be no effect on the electron. However, it turns out that there is an observable non-local quantum effect, which shifts the interference pattern. This remarkable prediction by AB is presented in Chapter 4 very clearly for two different cases. In one case there is a capacitor in the middle of the slits whereby there is an electric field inside the plates of the capacitor but there is no electric field where the electron emerges through either slit. In another case there is an inductor in the middle that causes a magnetic field again in a limited region but is zero where the electron moves through the slits. In both cases, it is shown why one sees an effect and this is explained by the necessity for use of potentials in the Hamiltonian as opposed to the EM field strengths. One can see the significance of potentials and understands the non-local effect on the electron. The AB effect turns out to extend to a grating of slits and incorporates the use of modular position and momentum and also the relation of AB to Berry’s phase is shown.Another important example where this book provides the reader understanding rather than just calculations is quantum measurement. Quantum measurement is covered in substantial detail; Chapters 7 through 16 examine various aspects of quantum measurement. “Quantum Paradoxes” utilizes a method proposed by von Neumann to analyze measurement by which an interaction Hamiltonian related to the observable being measured is used. The uncertainty principle is analyzed using this model and there is also a chapter devoted to non-canonical quantities such as velocity which can change during the measurement. A chapter on Schrödinger cats that examines the problem of superpositions is also developed within the von Neumann formalism. A related issue of whether quantum theory is complete in terms of the issue of Einstein,Podolsky Rosen (EPR) and its relationship to non-locality, entanglement, and Bells theorem is presented early on in Chapter 3. In Sec. 3.5 the authors conclude that Einstein may have been correct that quantum mechanics is incomplete but not in the EPR sense. A lucid account of the issue is given later in Sec. 9.2. Finally, there is an attempt to come to terms with the measurement problem by the use of the Aharonov-Bergmann-Lebowitz (ABL) formula. In this theory there is a forward vector in time as well as a backward vector that are used to describe quantum state evolution and understand the arrow of time. In the last chapter there is a discussion of this formalism and free will which are also very important from a philosophical point of view. The issue of final destiny states raises cosmological questions as well.Most quantum measurements that are conventionally discussed deal with a sufficiently strong interaction between measurement device and the system being measured. However, it is possible to reduce the interaction to a regime called weak measurement. The authors consider whether this regime is useful when one considers that one will often destroy or collapse a wavefunction if one tries to learn about it using a strong interaction. In fact Bohr and others have made arguments that one cannot learn about the system without affecting it. Aharonov and Rohrlich succeed in showing quite the contrary–how to learn about a quantum system without disturbing it. They use weak measurement on multiple iterations of particles with the same wavefunction. Such new measurement techniques are now being employed in experiments to gain information about quantum systems.There are numerous other paradoxes examined in this book including the Zeno effect, Interaction free measurement, Quantum walks, a quantum shell game, a quantum catalog, and even a quantum card trick. There are problems at the end of each chapter for use as a textbook or to become proficient. Although the organization of the material could probably be improved, I can see where this is difficult with so much interrelated material. In addition to the many paradoxes presented there is much more, including discussions on nearly all major fundamental quantum theoretical questions as well as methods and techniques. There is no other book that elaborates on fundamental issues in such detail.

⭐If we think of the word “paradox” as one-sidedness that appears to flout a basic tenet of a theory, as described by French in “Special Relativity” in regard to the “twin or clock paradox”, we can see the utility of thinking in terms of paradoxes as a way to enable a theoretician to gain insight and make new inroads. As an example, Taylor and Wheeler in “Spacetime Physics” used paradoxes for the reader to gain insight in special relativity. “Quantum Paradoxes” is geared to enable a self-discovery for the student or researcher in a natural way for quantum mechanics. However difficult the book appears, it can help the reader think about quantum mechanics with an interpretation above a naïve level. (A few notes on the level of the text, it shows how non-locality is involved in quantum mechanics and its reconciliation with the causality of relativity. Of special interest are the discussions and calculations using the Heisenberg equation of motion for thinking about quantum mechanics. It, also, contains deep discussions on measurement theory.) It should be noted that quantum mechanics is an abstract physical theory, which seems to tell you only what you can not know, thus making quantum mechanics inherently difficult to understand. So, the difficulty of the text is in large part due to the nature of quantum mechanics. One might look at quantum mechanics from a purely mathematical point of view due to difficulties in interpretation. However, as much as I like mathematical approaches, a high reliance on them eventually causes some confusion and frustration. This book is very useful and stands out among other books in clarifying the meaning of quantum mechanics. Thus, I give it the highest rating possible.

⭐Aharonov is responsible for many developments in quantum mechanics — think the Aharonov – Bohm effect, weak measurements. His tour of seemingly paradoxical experiments and the resolution of what is really happening is wonderful. There are problem sets at the end of each chapter to encourage active participation and digestion; many are probably going to be too hard if you don’t have a group to talk to, or an uncommon amount of experience in physics. The book has lots of unconventional explorations of quantum physics.

⭐So-so. The book is very original. At places it is interesting. However, most of it reads like documentary series of Jacques-Yves Cousteau. It looks like author is preparing to show something very big but not that much happens at the end.

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