Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 144 pages
- Published by: Oxford University Press, USA February 16, 2006
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0198570473
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0198570479
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Book Dimensions:
8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
- Weighs: 4.8 ounces
Product Review
`A splendid exposition of the foundations of quantum mechanics for non-experts It is factually accurate, lucid, elegantly written, and informed with a proper sense of wonder, which it will convey to the reader.' Abner Shimony,
Boston University`An approach in the best style of Feynman. ' Michel Bitbol, Ecole Polytechnique
`This book here stands out of the ordinary. Its straightforward style and jubilant tone calls to mind great popularizers such as Galileo, Gamow, Landau, or Feynman. [] I have found this short book absolutely charming.' Alain Laverne, Universite Paris 7
Product Description
Quantum physics is often perceive as a weird and abstract theory, which physicists must use in order to make correct predictions. But many recent experiments have shown that the weirdness of the theory simply mirrors the weirdness of phenomena: it is Nature itself, and not only our descriptions of it that behaves in an amazing way. This book selects those, among these typical quantum phenomena, whose rigorous description requires neither the formalism, not an important background in physics. The first part of the book deals with the phenomenon of single-particle interference, covering the historical questions of wave-particle duality, objective randomness and the boundary between the quantum and the classical world, but also the recent idea of quantum cryptography. The second part introduces the modern theme of entanglement, by presenting two-particle interference phenomena and discussing Bell's inequalities. A concise review of the main interpretations of quantum physics is provided.
Reader ReviewsI would not give this a five star rating only because it is not PERFECT! I actually intend to give it a 4 1/2 rating in fact. I liked this book for four things: 1) This is such a small book. (Lesser the words one speaks, the better to listen). 2) No technical blabbering, but STILL maintains clarity of concepts. 3) Tells about real experiments. 4) One of the latest on the old subject (as of July 2006!). Now to give an example of the minor defects that I noticed - The Unbalanced Franson's Interferometer explanation could leave the novice reader confused as to why the tiny time difference could not lead to distinguishability. There is nothing in the main text that even hints about this. All in all, this is a MUST BUY for all 'physics-maths' kind of people who have are new to QM.
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