The Einstein Paradox
The Debate on Nonlocality and Incompleteness in 1935

A volume that uncovers new sources and fresh insight into the debate on quantum mechanics unleashed by Einstein in 1935.

Guido Bacciagaluppi (Author), Elise Crull (Author)

9781107014459, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 November 2024

396 pages
25 x 17.6 x 2.7 cm, 0.84 kg

The famously controversial 1935 paper by Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR) took aim at the heart of the flourishing field of quantum mechanics. The paper provoked responses from the leading theoretical physicists of the day, and brought entanglement and nonlocality to the forefront of discussion. This book looks back at the seminal year in which the EPR paper was published and explores the intense debate it unleashed. These conversations in print and in private correspondence offer significant insight into the minds of pioneering quantum physicists including Niels Bohr, Erwin Schrödinger and Albert Einstein himself. Offering the most complete collection of sources to date – many published or translated here for the first time – this text brings a rich new context to this pivotal moment in physics history. Both researchers and students in the history and philosophy of science, and enthusiasts alike, will find this book illuminating.

Preface
Abbreviations and editorial conventions
Permissions and copyright notices
Part I. Main Contributions to the EPR Debate in 1935: 1. Einstein on EPR
2. Others on EPR
3. Schrödinger on EPR
4. Heisenberg on EPR
5. Bohr on EPR
Part II. Selected Pre-EPR Papers: 6. Knowledge of past and future in quantum mechanics A. Einstein, R. C. Tolman and B. Podolsky
7. On the indeterminacy relation A. Einstein
8. Bohr–Einstein example E. Schrödinger
Part III. Core EPR Papers: 9. Can Quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete? A. Einstein, B. Podolsky and N. Rosen
10. Discussion of probability relations between separated systems E. Schrödinger
11. The present situation in Quantum Mechanics E. Schrödinger
12. Note on the Quantum-Mechanical theory of measurement W. H. Furry
13. Remarks on measurements in quantum theory W. H. Furry
14. Is a deterministic completion of quantum mechanics possible? W. Heisenberg
15. The natural-philosophical foundations of quantum mechanics (Excerpt) G. Hermann
16. Can Quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete? N. Bohr
Part IV. Other Reactions to EPR: 17. The correlation of wave functions with the states of physical systems E. C. Kemble
18. States and reality of physical systems B. Podolsky
19. Quantum mechanics as a physical theory H. T. Flint
20. The observation of canonically conjugates E. Schrödinger
21. Quantum mechanics and physical reality N. Bohr
22. Is the Quantum-mechanical description of physical reality complete? A. E. Ruark
23. Physical reality and quantum mechanics E. C. Kemble
24. Quantum-mechanical description H. Margenau
25. Quantum mechanics and physical reality H. C. Wolfe
Part V. Correspondence on the 'Einstein Paradox': 26. Correspondence on the 'Einstein Paradox'
Envoi
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX]