Quantum Fluctuations (Princeton Series in Physics) - Softcover

Nelson, Edward

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0691083797 ISBN 13: 9780691083797

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 1985

Synopsis

Stochastic mechanics is a description of quantum phenomena in classical probabilistic terms. This work contains a detailed account of the kinematics of diffusion processes, including diffusions on curved manifolds which are necessary for the treatment of spin in stochastic mechanics. The dynamical equations of the theory are derived from a variational principle, and interference, the asymptotics of free motion, bound states, statistics, and spin are described in classical terms.

In addition to developing the formal mathematical aspects of the theory, the book contains discussion of possible physical causes of quantum fluctuations in terms of an interaction with a background field. The author gives a critical analysis of stochastic mechanics as a candidate for a realistic theory of physical processes, discussing measurement, local causality in the sense of Bell, and the failure of the theory in its present form to satisfy locality.

About this title

From the Back Cover

In addition to developing the formal mathematical aspects of the theory, the book contains discussion of possible physical causes of quantum fluctuations in terms of an interaction with a background field. The author gives a critical analysis of stochastic mechanics as a candidate for a realistic theory of physical processes, discussing measurement, local causality in the sense of Bell, and the failure of the theory in its present form to satisfy locality.

About the Author

Eugene Soviak is Professor Emeritus of History at Washington University at St. Louis. Kamiyama Tamie is Professor Emeritus of Japanese Language at Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri and Professor of Japanese Area Studies at Obirin University, Japan.

Edition details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 1985
• ISBN 10: 0691083797
• ISBN 13: 9780691083797
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160