From Dualism to Unity in Quantum Physics

Originally published in 1960, this book challenges the view that the principles of wave-particle duality, complementarity and uncertainty are fundamental to micro-mechanics.

Alfred Landé (Author)

9781316509760, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 February 2016

132 pages
20.3 x 13.4 x 0.8 cm, 0.17 kg

Originally published in 1960, and written by the renowned German-American physicist Alfred Landé (1888–1976), this book challenges the view that the principles of wave-particle duality, complementarity and uncertainty are fundamental to micro-mechanics. Instead, the text sets out to reduce dualistic quantum phenomena to still more elementary general principles, such as symmetry, invariance and continuity. It thus develops the Bohr-Heisenberg account, resting on Born's statistical interpretation, into a unitary theory. Appendices are included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in quantum physics and the history of science.

Preface
Introduction
1. Causality, chance, continuity
2. States, observables, probabilities
3. The metric law of probabilities
4. Quantum dynamics
5. Quantum fact and fiction
Retrospect. From dualism to unity, from positivism to realism
Appendix 1. Survey of elementary postulates
Appendix 2. Two problems of uniqueness
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Quantum physics [quantum mechanics & quantum field theory PHQ]