Eddy Chen, Rutgers University

Abstract

In this brief talk, we discuss the basic ingredients of quantum theory and some steps towards understanding what it means. To that end, we focus on a simple experiment (the double slit experiment), which nicely illustrates the "quantum measurement problem". We suggest that the standard textbook version of quantum mechanics, though making correct predictions, lacks both conceptual and mathematical tools to consistently analyze the situation. We introduce Bohmian mechanics as a precise mathematical-physical theory that solves the measurement problem. Time permitting, we may discuss some other solutions to the quantum measurement problem and some other issues in the foundations of quantum theory. [This is an introductory talk. We assume very little knowledge of physics.].