Insight
Nature Physics Insight – Foundations of Quantum Mechanics
- Insight issue:
- April 2014 Volume 10, No 4
Over the past two decades, the fields of quantum information theory and quantum technology have emerged and matured. The theoretical and experimental tools developed in this context are now making it possible to revisit the very foundations of quantum theory, and to explore the terra incognita that may lie beyond. In this Insight, we survey recent trends in the study of the foundations of quantum mechanics: from the expansion or even rethinking of quantum theory, to ambitious new experiments that will seek the elusive effects of quantum gravity.
Editorial
Foundations of quantum mechanics - p253
Iulia Georgescu
doi:10.1038/nphys2934
Full text - Foundations of quantum mechanics | PDF (672KB) - Foundations of quantum mechanics
Commentary
Gravity in quantum mechanics - pp254 – 255
Giovanni Amelino-Camelia
doi:10.1038/nphys2876
Gravity and quantum mechanics tend to stay out of each other's way, but this might change as we devise new experiments to test the applicability of quantum theory to macroscopic systems and larger length scales.
Full text - Gravity in quantum mechanics | PDF (816KB) - Gravity in quantum mechanics
Quantum entanglement - pp256 – 258
Vlatko Vedral
doi:10.1038/nphys2904
Recent advances in quantum information theory reveal the deep connections between entanglement and thermodynamics, many-body theory, quantum computing and its link to macroscopicity.
Full text - Gravity in quantum mechanics | PDF (987KB) - Gravity in quantum mechanics
Progress Article
Quantum causality - pp259 – 263
Časlav Brukner
doi:10.1038/nphys2930
Revisiting the notion of causality in quantum mechanics may lead to new directions in quantum information theory and quantum gravity research.
Abstract -Quantum causality | Full text - Quantum causality | PDF (907KB) - Quantum causality
Reviews
Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics - pp264 – 270
Sandu Popescu
doi:10.1038/nphys2916
There are good reasons to consider nonlocality to be the defining feature of quantum mechanics, but stronger nonlocal correlations than those predicted by quantum theory could exist, which raises the intriguing question of what lies beyond.
Abstract - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | Full text - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics | PDF (910KB) - Nonlocality beyond quantum mechanics
Testing the limits of quantum mechanical superpositions - pp271 – 277
Markus Arndt and Klaus Hornberger
doi:10.1038/nphys2863
Testing the limits of the quantum mechanical description of nature has become a subject of intense experimental interest. Recent advances in investigating macroscopic quantum superpositions are pushing these limits.
Abstract - Testing the limits of quantum mechanical superpositions | Full text - Testing the limits of quantum mechanical superpositions | PDF (736KB) - Testing the limits of quantum mechanical superpositions
Testing foundations of quantum mechanics with photons - pp285 – 291
Peter Shadbolt, Jonathan C. F. Mathews, Anthony Laing and Jeremy L. O'Brien
doi:10.1038/nphys2931
Starting with wave-particle duality, experiments with light have played a major role in the development of quantum theory. Advances in photonic technologies allow for improved tests of quantum complementarity, delayed-choice and nonlocality.
Abstract - Testing foundations of quantum mechanics with photons | Full text - Testing foundations of quantum mechanics with photons | PDF (1,574KB) - Testing foundations of quantum mechanics with photons