Overview

Quantum theory is one of the most important and successful theories of modern physical science. It has been estimated that its principles form the basis for about 30 per cent of the world's manufacturing economy. This is all the more remarkable because quantum theory is a theory that nobody understands. Baggott brings the reader up to date with the results of experimental tests of quantum non-locality and complementarity that have been successfully he also reviews the latest thinking on alternative interpretations - pilot waves, decoherence, consciousness, many worlds and God - and the frontiers of quantum cosmology, quantum gravity and potential applications of quantum entanglement in computing, cryptography and teleportation. Quantum theory emerges largely unscathed, only serving to reinforce the point that the theory remains the most powerful framework for explaining observations of the quantum world, but that its orthodox interpretation continues to offer little in the way of understanding in terms of underlying physical processes. Quantum theory remains a mysterious theoretical black top hat from which white rabbits continue to be pulled. Students are usually advised not to ask how this particular conjuring trick is done.

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9780198529279

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Reviews

Baggott confines all the equations to optional appendices so that the book succeeds in having a broader appeal than might be imagined ... A nice feature of the book is the section on recent experiments including Aspect's famous series of tests of the Bell inequalities. Times Higher Education Supplement Beyond Measure is the ideal book if you are already aware of the weirdness of the quantum world and want to know more. Focus What makes Beyond Measure different from other attempts at explaining quantum physics is the way Baggott has structured the book so that each idea gets its own place, in a series of five mini-books within the book. Focus ... you don't need much maths to understand [Baggott's] arguments, but you do need your brain switched on ... read this and you'll probably know more than the lecturers! Focus ... does for quantum theory what Hawking's A brief history of time did for astronomy and cosmology. Chemistry World Jim Baggott's Beyond Measure is a lively tour through the major positions in the foundations and interpretation of the quantum theory. It is not a prancing roshis tour but a carefully written and beautifully organized primer on virtually all the interesting issues. Arthur Fine, Professor of Philosophy, Adjunct Professor of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle ... for those with an interest in physics it is highly recommended, both simply as a readable and up-to-date overview of quantum theory as well as as a useful reference work The Complete Review More than a revision of a classic account of quantum mechanics, Jim Baggott's book is the definitive non-technical account of the wonder and understandable strangeness of the theory that underlies all of physics - quantum mechanics. Roald Hoffmann-Nobel prize winner for chemistry in 1981. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University

`... brings the reader up to date with the results of experimental tests.' CERN Courier

Author Information

Dr James Baggott 199 Beech Lane, Earley, Reading RG6 5UP 07775 940 256 0118 9212 134 jim@logosconsulting.co.uk The author has written many popular science articles for newspapers (Independent, Daily Telegraph) and popular science magazines such as New Scientist. He has also appeared on a couple of radio programmes dealing with quantum theory (the last time for a series aired on BBC Radio 4 in late 1999).

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