Rethinking Reality: Domesticating the Quantum

With Pierre Meystre. Following its discovery, the quantum became central to our quest for a fundamental understanding of nature, from the structure of atoms and light to the Standard Model of particle physics, and beyond. As we learned how to tame, and increasingly how to domesticate the quantum, this also resulted in a technological `Quantum Revolution’ with a profound impact on our lives. This goes from the utterly devastating – with the invention of weapons capable of destroying civilization in the blink of an eye, to the most empowering – from medical imaging to the GPS, from the transistor to the laser, and from the internet to the smart phone. Following a brief review of these developments the lecture will focus on a more counter-intuitive aspect of quantum reality, what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance.” I will discuss how worldwide efforts at domesticating this elusive quantum attribute may lead to a `Second Quantum Revolution,’ with much promise for quantum communications, quantum metrology and quantum computing.

Part of the UA Science Lecture Series.

[JRobbySh]

When one starts talking about “Reality”, one is no longer talking about physics, but about “metaphysics”, about cosmology and ontology.

[jasonboyd]

I've got a question for more educated passersby. I've heard it explained by many sources, including Neil Degrasse Tyson once, that the uncertainty principle stems from the fact that in order to measure a particle, you must interact with the particle; hence, by measuring its location, you lose any info of its momentum, and vice versa. This explanation has never made sense to me, as it implies that if humans cannot determine something that that is the same as that thing being fundamentally uncertain. Yes, it would be "uncertain" to we the observers, but I don't see why we wouldn't assume that particles DO have an objective specific location AND momentum. It seems like the equivalent of saying, if no one is in the forest when a tree falls, it doesn't vibrate the air with pressure waves.

Can anyone set me straight on this?

[markjacobson]

it appears to me that he expects hydrogen and oxygen to be wet before they are combined. he expects the properties of classical physics to be represented at the quantum level. why would anyone expect this?

[aubreydebliquy]

Gravity must act immediately for the planets to stay in their orbits. Any delay, even at light speed would result in planets migrating to ever more distant orbits until they head away from the sun.

[realcygnus]

"on the dangers of contradicting Newton" as F

[dustinbrandel]

There is nothing whatsoever unusual or impossible about that coin flip example.
There r 2 sides to a coin. Keep flippin em, no matter how far apart, and ull eventually get that pattern. This is common sence, and can be replicated in experiment. Their distance apart is of no consequence.
Yet u say its impossible to get that pattern of coin flips. Which is absolute nonsence.
Do people pay money to attend?
Cause, wow.

[rodgermyles]

Watching these physics lectures is drawing me to the conclusion physicists are like those who tout Evolution as a fact. They have eventually convince themselves that it is so but not yet proved it. Is the "quantum" world out of reach of us? It would appear so to me.

[davidwright]

He got precisely nothing wrong. Do your homework.

[ronaldcossin]

I Don't Need a PhD, I'AM the PhD, I'm with GOD Almighty ... Just Ask Him, He will Tell you everything you have eternity ... What Good Father would Not Teaches his children in growing up, to be like Himself ... ... ... we have a long way too go, do we not ...