The Quantum Divide

Why Schrödinger's Cat is Either Dead or Alive

Christopher C. Gerry and Kimberley M. Bruno

Develops an easy understanding of quantum mechanics based on modern experiments performed over the past 30 years
Discusses why the Schrödinger state of a cat being simultaneously alive and dead can never be seen in the everyday world
Shows how quantum mechanics provides a consistent explanation of phenomena while an everyday, classical, picture of the world does not
Describes landmark experiments on single photons and electrons made possible by recent technological advances
Discusses quantum entanglement, quantum information processing, and quantum teleportation
Discusses the connection between quantum entanglement and quantum non-locality through the Hardy-Jordan version of Bell's Theorem
Discusses the observation of quantum behavior in large-scale quantum systems where one might otherwise expect only classical-like behavior
Discusses the issue of the quantum/classical divide, following the modern viewpoint that there is no quantum divide at all

The Quantum Divide

Why Schrödinger's Cat is Either Dead or Alive

Christopher C. Gerry and Kimberley M. Bruno

Description

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.

The Quantum Divide

Why Schrödinger's Cat is Either Dead or Alive

Christopher C. Gerry and Kimberley M. Bruno

1:Physics Fundamentalism
2:The Duality of Particles and Waves: The Split Personality of Electrons
3:The Duality of Particles and Waves: Photons
4:More Fun With Photons: Photon Splitting and its Uses
5:Entanglement and Non-Locality: Spooky Actions at a Distance
6:Quantum Information, Quantum Cryptography, and Quantum Teleportation
7:Schrödinger's Cat and Leggett's SQUID: Quantum Effects on a Large Scale?
8:Quantum Philosophy
Appendix A: A Quantum Mechanics Timeline
Appendix B: Quantum Mechanics Experiments for Undergraduates

The Quantum Divide

Why Schrödinger's Cat is Either Dead or Alive

Christopher C. Gerry and Kimberley M. Bruno

Author Information

Christopher C. Gerry, Department of Physics, Lehman College, City University of New York, and Kimberley M. Bruno, Vice Principal, Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design, Brooklyn, New York

Christopher Gerry is Professor of Physics at Lehman College, The City University of New York, where his areas of research include theoretical quantum optics, quantum information theory, quantum metrology and sensing, and group theoretical methods in quantum optics and quantum theory in general.

Kimberley Bruno is Vice Principal of Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design, Brooklyn, New York.

The Quantum Divide

Why Schrödinger's Cat is Either Dead or Alive

Christopher C. Gerry and Kimberley M. Bruno

Reviews and Awards

"... the agreeable style and exceptional clarity of the writing makes this book a great pleasure to read ... the value of the book is above all in its comprehensible accounts of some very important and subtle experimental work, accompanied by excellent diagrammatic illustrations of the relevant apparatus. I have not encountered a better exposition of these, and can heartily recommend the book on this basis." - Peter J. Bussey, Contemporary Physics

"An instructive and entertaining read - an excellent example of what 'popular science for scientists' should be. [...] It gives a balanced and up-to-date account of fascinating quantum phenomena well beyond the double-slit experiment and Schrödinger's cat paradox. It also advocates a more relaxed approach. Quantum mechanics is weird, but not that weird." - Nature Physics

"The burgeoning fields of quantum computing, information processing and simulation develop rapidly as a consequence of theoretical insight and technological developments. The latter have enabled us to take single atoms or ions and count single photons, and many of the thought experiments discussed in earlier treatments of quantum physics have now been conducted in laboratories. This lucid account by Gerry and Bruno presents a mature discussion of the link between the microscopic quantum and the macroscopic classical worlds and will be useful for professional physicists, students and the educated layman." - Ifan Hughes, Durham University

"Gerry and Bruno succeed in introducing the quantum world in a readable but not oversimplifi ed way. Their engaging and original account will particularly satisfy those who find popular texts on quantum mechanics lacking in technical detail. The Quantum Divide will leave readers understanding Feynmanâs quote with its original intentânot as an admission of defeat but as an invitation to the fascinating world of quantum physics." - Dan Browne, Science

"Highly recommended." - M. Dickinson, CHOICE