Quantum Nonlocality and Reality: 50 Years of Bell's Theorem

Description

Combining twenty-six original essays written by an impressive line-up of distinguished physicists and philosophers of physics, this anthology reflects some of the latest thoughts by leading experts on the influence of Bell's theorem on quantum physics. Essays progress from John Bell's character and background, through studies of his main work, and on to more speculative ideas, addressing the controversies surrounding the theorem, and investigating the theorem's meaning and its deep implications for the nature of physical reality. Combined, they present a powerful comment on the undeniable significance of Bell's theorem for the development of ideas in quantum physics over the past 50 years. Questions surrounding the assumptions and significance of Bell's work still inspire discussion in the field of quantum physics. Adding to this with a theoretical and philosophical perspective, this balanced anthology is an indispensable volume for students and researchers interested in the philosophy of physics and the foundations of quantum mechanics Content: Preface Part I. John Stewart Bell: The Physicist: 1. John Bell: the Irish connection Andrew Whitaker 2. Recollections of John Bell Michael Nauenberg 3. John Bell: recollections of a great scientist and a great man Gian-Carlo Ghirardi Part II. Bell's Theorem: 4. What did Bell really prove? Jean Bricmont 5. The assumptions of Bell's proof Roderich Tumulka 6. Bell on Bell's theorem: the changing face of nonlocality Harvey R. Brown and Christopher G. Timpson 7. Experimental tests of Bell inequalities Marco Genovese 8. Bell's theorem without inequalities: on the inception and scope of the GHZ theorem Olival Freire, Jr and Osvaldo Pessoa, Jr 9. Strengthening Bell's theorem: removing the hidden-variable assumption Henry P. Stapp Part III. Nonlocality: Illusions or Reality?: 10. Is any theory compatible with the quantum predictions necessarily nonlocal? Bernard d'Espagnat 11. Local causality, probability and explanation Richard A. Healey 12. Bell inequality and many-worlds interpretation Lev Vaidman 13. Quantum solipsism and non-locality Travis Norsen 14. Lessons of Bell's theorem: nonlocality, yes action at a distance, not necessarily Wayne C. Myrvold 15. Bell non-locality, Hardy's paradox and hyperplane dependence Gordon N. Fleming 16. Some thoughts on quantum nonlocality and its apparent incompatibility with relativity Shan Gao 17. A reasonable thing that just might work Daniel Rohrlich 18. Weak values and quantum nonlocality Yakir Aharonov and Eliahu Cohen Part IV. Nonlocal Realistic Theories: 19. Local beables and the foundations of physics Tim Maudlin 20. John Bell's varying interpretations of quantum mechanics: memories and comments H. Dieter Zeh 21. Some personal reflections on quantum non-locality and the contributions of John Bell Basil J. Hiley 22. Bell on Bohm Sheldon Goldstein 23. Interactions and inequality Philip Pearle 24. Gravitation and the noise needed in objective reduction models Stephen L. Adler 25. Towards an objective physics of Bell non-locality: palatial twistor theory Roger Penrose 26. Measurement and macroscopicity: overcoming conceptual imprecision in quantum measurement theory Gregg Jaeger Index.