Testing Quantum Mechanics on New Ground

Technological advances have made it possible to perform experiments, once considered to be purely gedanken, which test the counterintuitive and bizarre consequences of quantum theory. This book provides simple accounts of these experiments and an understanding of what they aim to prove and why this is important. After introducing the main theoretical concepts and problems with the foundations of quantum mechanics, early chapters discuss experiments in the areas of wave-particle duality, cavity quantum electrodynamics and quantum non-demolition measurement. The text then examines investigation of certain predictions including the Aharanov-Bohm effect, before tackling the problem of macroscopic quantum coherence. Later chapters consider methods of testing the quantum Zeno paradox, collapse, macroscopic quantum jumps, tunnelling times and Einstein-Bell non-locality. Introductions to the theory behind types of measuring devices such as micromasers and those based on the concept of quantum non-demolition are also given. Detailed references are included.

Table of Contents:
Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Wave-particle duality; 2. Cavity quantum electrodynamics; 3. Quantum nondemolition measurements; 4. Topological phases; 5. Macroscopic quantum coherence; 6. The quantum Zeno paradox; 7. Testing collapse; 8. Macroscopic quantum jumps; 9. Nonlocality; 10. Tunneling times; References; Indexes.

Review :
'Ghose's book will be accessible … to non-specialists and can be strongly recommended for graduate students as an introduction to the fascinating study of the quantum world.' S. M. Barnett, Contemporary Physics 'Partha Ghose's timely and valuable book … shows, although not yet testable, the coherent set of concepts embodied in the pilot-wave interpretation implies unambiguous predictions about transit times … Ghose reviews the current experimental basis of this emergent field, a blend of tests of classic quantum phenomena and specific interpretations. As far as I know it is the first book to attempt this comprehensively, with full technical details … highly recommended as a resource for graduate students and researchers … recommended as a very good introduction to stochastic methods in contemporary physics.' The Times Higher Education Supplement 'This is highly motivating and well-written book. Historical references are spread all over the text taking the reader along the endless debate on the foundations of quantum theory. The author has accomplished an admirable pedagogical effort. Each chapter starts with a small table of contents followed by a brief summary. The style is direct, avoiding superfluous technicalities. It is a good introduction for physicists to methods and concepts of classical stochastic analysis. To summarise, the book provides physicists with an appealing introduction to methods and concepts of stochastic analysis. Moreover, it illustrates a way of implementing specific numerical procedures for open quantum systems. That feature will certainly interest both physicists and mathematicians who will enjoy as well the philosophical discussion on the foundations of quantum mechanics.' Rolando Rebolledo Berroe, Zentralblatt für Mathematik