Current theory in development within the field of Quantum Physics

FreshMeat
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Fill me in -- New to this

Hi guys, I've just finished Grade 12 Physics, well almost, but regardless they cut us off at the most interesting part. Our class was just getting into Nuclear Reactors, Half Lives, and the seemingly infinite sub-atomic...energies I guess...(as well as anti-matter and all that other good stuff). I was just wondering if someone could maybe take some time to fill me in on the current theory or theories in development within the field of Quantum Physics, or perhaps suggest a book that might fill this gap within my brain. Thanks in advance to anyone that's able to help.
 
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It would take several semesters of study and probably five textbooks to adequately fill you in on the state of the art in quantum theory -- so no one can do that for you here.

It'd be best to begin with a basic quantum mechanics textbook. I prefer "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths. Note that you will be fairly considerable mathematical sophistication to study quantum mechanics -- differential equations, operator theory, and vector calculus are integral (no pun intended).

- Warren
 


Hi there, welcome to the world of Quantum Physics! It's an incredibly fascinating and complex field, so I'm happy to give you a brief overview of some current theories and concepts.

First, let's start with the basics. Quantum Physics is the branch of physics that deals with the behavior of matter and energy at a very small scale, such as atoms and subatomic particles. It is based on the principles of quantum mechanics, which describe the behavior of particles at the quantum level.

One of the most well-known theories in Quantum Physics is the Copenhagen interpretation, which was developed by Niels Bohr and his colleagues in the 1920s. This theory states that particles do not have definite properties until they are observed, and that the act of observation affects the behavior of the particles.

Another important theory is the Many-Worlds interpretation, proposed by Hugh Everett in the 1950s. This theory suggests that every time a quantum event occurs, the universe splits into multiple parallel universes, each representing a different outcome of that event.

In recent years, there has been a lot of research and development in the field of quantum computing. This involves using the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations and solve problems that are impossible for classical computers. This has the potential to revolutionize industries such as finance, cryptography, and drug discovery.

There are also ongoing studies and experiments in areas such as quantum entanglement, which is the phenomenon where two particles become connected in such a way that the state of one particle affects the state of the other, even if they are separated by large distances.

As for book recommendations, there are many great books on Quantum Physics for beginners, such as "Quantum Physics for Dummies" by Steven Holzner or "The Quantum Universe: Everything That Can Happen Does Happen" by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw.

I hope this gives you a general idea of some current theories and developments in Quantum Physics. It's a constantly evolving field, so there is always something new to learn and discover. Happy exploring!
 
Not an expert in QM. AFAIK, Schrödinger's equation is quite different from the classical wave equation. The former is an equation for the dynamics of the state of a (quantum?) system, the latter is an equation for the dynamics of a (classical) degree of freedom. As a matter of fact, Schrödinger's equation is first order in time derivatives, while the classical wave equation is second order. But, AFAIK, Schrödinger's equation is a wave equation; only its interpretation makes it non-classical...
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. Towards the end of the first lecture for the Qiskit Global Summer School 2025, Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Olivia Lanes (Global Lead, Content and Education IBM) stated... Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/quantum-entanglement-is-a-kinematic-fact-not-a-dynamical-effect/ by @RUTA
Is it possible, and fruitful, to use certain conceptual and technical tools from effective field theory (coarse-graining/integrating-out, power-counting, matching, RG) to think about the relationship between the fundamental (quantum) and the emergent (classical), both to account for the quasi-autonomy of the classical level and to quantify residual quantum corrections? By “emergent,” I mean the following: after integrating out fast/irrelevant quantum degrees of freedom (high-energy modes...
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