Einstein, Bohr and the Quantum Dilemma: From Quantum Theory to Quantum Information

by Andrew Whitaker

• ISBN13: 9780521671026
• ISBN10: 0521671027
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-07-17
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

"Quantum theory, the most successful physical theory of all time, provoked intense debate between the twentieth century's two greatest physicists, Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein. The debate concerned the nature of quantum theory, and the major contradictions and conceptual problems at its heart." "This second edition contains sympathetic accounts of the views of both Bohr and Einstein, and a thorough study of the argument between them. It includes non-technical and non-mathematical accounts of the development of quantum theory and relativity, and also the work of David Bohm and John Bell that restored interest in Einstein's views. It has been extensively revised and updated to cover recent developments, and the account of ongoing work has been brought up to date. A new chapter is devoted to describing the whole area of quantum information theory, from the work of Richard Feynman and David Deutsch that initiated the study of quantum computation to the theoretical and experimental approach to quantum cryptography." "This book provides an account of the development of quantum theory, which will appeal to anyone with an interest in the fundamental questions of physics, its philosophy and its history."--BOOK JACKET.

Table of Contents

1. Bohr and Einstein: Einstein and Bohr

2. The peace before the quantum

3. A glance at relativity

4. The slow rise of the quantum

5. Bohr: what does it all mean?

6. Einstein's negative views

7. Bohm, Bell and experimental philosophy

8. A round-up of recent developments

9. Quantum information theory - an introduction

10. Bohr or Einstein?

References

Bibliography.