The quantum matrix : Henry Bar's perilous struggle for quantum coherence / Gershon Kurizki and Goren Gordon ; illustrated by Etzion Goel.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kurizki, G. (Gershon), author.

Gordon, Goren, author.

Contributor:

Goel, Etzion, illustrator.

Series:

Oxford scholarship online.

Oxford scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Quantum theory--Popular works.

Quantum theory.

Quantum theory--Pictorial works.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2020.

Summary:

In this text, Henry Bar, physicist and the first quantum superhero, guides the reader through the amazing quantum world. His hair-raising adventures in his perilous struggle for quantum coherence are graphically depicted by comics and thoroughly explained to the lay reader. Behind each adventure lies a key concept in quantum physics.

Contents:

The Quantum Matrix: Henry Bar's Perilous Struggle for Quantum Coherence

Copyright

Dedication

Preface

Matrix of Contents

Part I: Basic Concepts

Chapter 1: What is Quantumness?

1.1 How small is a quantum?

1.2 From atomism to quantum mechanics

1.3 From classical to quantum world view: is reality simple or complex?

1.4 Appendix: constants and variables in quantum physics

Chapter 2: What is a Quantum Superposition?

2.1 A superhero in a superposition

2.2 Superpositions: from light waves to wavefunctions

2.3 Why do scientific paradigms change?; 2.4 Appendix: superposition, wavefunctions, vectors and matrices

2.4.1 Henry's splitting and recombination as matrix operations

Chapter 3: What is Quantum Interference?

3.1 Henry interferes

3.2 Interference in quantum mechanics

3.3 The deeper meaning of quantum superpositions

a) Quantum Hamletism: to be and not to be

b) To know and not know

3.4 Appendix: interference and quantum waves

Chapter 4: What are Quantum Measurements?

4.1 Henry is measured

4.2 Quantum mechanics as a measurement theory

4.3 Parallel evolutions (and universes?); 4.4 Appendix: projector operators

Chapter 5: What is Quantum Uncertainty?

5.1 Henry Bar's uncertain position

5.2 Uncertainty and complementarity in quantum measurement theory

5.3 Is uncertainty human?

5.4 Appendix: continuous variables

Chapter 6: What is Time-Energy Uncertainty?

6.1 The quantum rocket and time-energy uncertainty

6.2. The time-energy uncertainty relation in QM

6.3 Time and energy in our quantum world

6.4 Appendix: finite-time evolution

Part II: Quantum Entanglement and Open Quantum Systems

Chapter 7: What is Quantum Entanglement?; 7.1 Schred and Henry are entangled

7.2 Entanglement and quantumness

7.3 Entangled world

7.4 Appendix: entangling operators

Chapter 8: Entanglement, Decoherence and Which-Path Information

8.1 Decoherence: the dark side of entanglement

8.2 Decoherence as which-path distinguishability and entanglement with the environment

8.3 On information and free will: do we live in a quantum matrix?

8.4 Appendix: complementarity between visibility and distinguishability

Chapter 9: What is the Environment of Quantum Systems?

9.1 Coherent oscillations and environmental decoherence; 9.2 Decoherence and decay in an environment (a "bath")

1) Quanta exchange near thermal equilibrium

2) Spontaneous emission

3) Bath-induced energy shifts

9.3 Irreversibility and the arrow of time

9.4 Appendix: coherent (Rabi) oscillations and decay

Chapter 10: Can Quantum Measurements Prevent Change?

10.1 The wedding that never happened

10.2 The quantum Zeno and anti-Zeno effects

10.3 Is time (or change) an illusion?

10.4 Appendix: slowing down the evolution

10.4.1 QZE for coherent transfer

10.4.2 QZE for a decay process.

Notes:

This edition also issued in print: 2020.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from home page (viewed on June 11, 2020).

ISBN:

0-19-182951-X

0-19-109136-7

OCLC:

1155202719