This detailed but accessible introduction to the exciting field of quantum decoherence walks the reader through the basics and then explains the essential consequences of the phenomenon for our understanding of the world. It elucidates, among other things: How the classical world of our experience can emerge from quantum mechanics; the implications of decoherence for the various interpretations of quantum mechanics; recent experiments confirming the puzzling consequences of the quantum superposition principle (‘Schrodinger kittens’) and making decoherence processes directly observable. Also included are an introduction to quantum computing and the role of decoherence and a discussion of quantum mechanics and the brain. Unique in its wide range of the covered material, this book emphasizes foundational implications without neglecting detailed descriptions of experiments and applications. INDICE: Introducing Decoherence.- The Basic Formalism and Interpretation.-Decoherence is Everywhere: Spacial Localization Due to Environmental Scattering.- Master-Equation Formulations of Decoherence.- Spins and Oscillators: Canonical Models.- Of Bucky Balls and SQUIDs: Observing Decoherence in Action.- Decoherence and Quantum Computing.- The Role of Decoherence in Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics.- Observations, the Quantum Brain, and Decoherence.- Appendix: The Iteration Picture.- References.- Index.
- ISBN: 978-3-6420-7142-3
- Editorial: Springer Distribution Center GmbH
- Encuadernacion: Rústica
- Páginas: 450
- Fecha Publicación: 01/10/2010
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés