The EPR paradox and Bell's theorem: quantum mechanics versus reality (Spring term) (SCE 24(z))

  • Day and time: Tuesday 11:00 - 12:00
    Weekly
  • Length of course: 1 term. Spring (6 Weeks)
  • Number of places: 25
  • Start date: 18 January 2022
  • Description:

    One of the gaps identified in the curriculum this year was "Advanced Physics". It's difficult to do most advanced physics without advanced mathematics, but there is an exception. In 1935, Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen wrote a paper (often called EPR) showing that the prevailing interpretation of quantum mechanics was inconsistent with reality. In 1964, the Irish physicist John Bell generalized their idea and framed it as a simple experimentally testable equation. The result of the experiment was "Quantum Mechanics - 1: Reality - 0".  EPR's concept of reality was shown to be incorrect. The worrying thing is that this incorrect concept might be summed up as "Things have properties". After a quick review of quantum mechanics, photons, and polarization, we'll dive into EPR, Bell's work, Aspect's experiments, and their implications. The concepts here are very challenging but fortunately the maths is relatively easy, trigonometry and probability.

  • Format: Lecture

  • Tutor: John Cook
  • I've been working in scientific research for about 50 years; I hope to get a better understanding of the EPR paradox by teaching it.


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