Quantum theory underpins much of modern physics and its implications draw the attention of industry, academia and public funding agencies. However there are many unsettled conceptual and philosophical problems in the interpretation of quantum mechanics which are a matter of extensive debate. These hotly debated topics include the meaning of the wave function, the nature of the quantum objects, the role of the observer, the non-locality of the quantum world, and the emergence of classicality from the quantum domain. Containing chapters written by eminent researchers from the fields of physics and philosophy, this book provides interdisciplinary, comprehensive and up-to-date perspectives of the problems related to the interpretation of quantum theory. It is ideal for academic researchers in physics and philosophy working on the ontology of quantum mechanics.

Combining physics and philosophy, this is a uniquely interdisciplinary examination of quantum information science which provides an up-to-date examination of developments in this field. The authors provide coherent definitions and theories of information, taking clearly defined approaches to considering information in connection with quantum mechanics, probability, and correlations. Concepts addressed include entanglement of quantum states, the relation of quantum correlations to quantum information, and the meaning of the informational approach for the foundations of quantum mechanics. Furthermore, the mathematical concept of information in the communicational context, and the notion of pragmatic information are considered. Suitable as both a discussion of the conceptual and philosophical problems of this field and a comprehensive stand-alone introduction, this book will benefit both experienced and new researchers in quantum information and the philosophy of physics.

This book explores the philosophy and the foundations of quantum chemistry. It features chapters written by experts in the field. The contributions analyze quantum chemistry as a discipline, in particular, its relation with both chemistry and physics from the viewpoint of realism and reduction. Coverage includes such topics as quantum chemistry as an “in-between� discipline, molecular structure and quantum mechanics, quantum chemical models, and atoms and molecules in quantum chemistry. The interest of this book is twofold. First, the contributions aim to update and refresh the discussions regarding the foundations of quantum chemistry. Second, they seek to develop new philosophical perspectives that this discipline can suggest to philosophers of science. From its origins, quantum chemistry filled a problematic position in the disciplinary space. On the one hand, it is a branch of theoretical chemistry. On the other hand, it appeals essentially to theoretical tools coming from physics. This peculiar position triggered conceptual questions about its own identity. Inside this book, readers will find updated discussions on the foundations and the philosophy of this complex discipline.

This book explores the philosophy and the foundations of quantum chemistry. It features chapters written by experts in the field. The contributions analyze quantum chemistry as a discipline, in particular, its relation with both chemistry and physics from the viewpoint of realism and reduction. Coverage includes such topics as quantum chemistry as an "in-between" discipline, molecular structure and quantum mechanics, quantum chemical models, and atoms and molecules in quantum chemistry. The interest of this book is twofold. First, the contributions aim to update and refresh the discussions regarding the foundations of quantum chemistry. Second, they seek to develop new philosophical perspectives that this discipline can suggest to philosophers of science. From its origins, quantum chemistry filled a problematic position in the disciplinary space. On the one hand, it is a branch of theoretical chemistry. On the other hand, it appeals essentially to theoretical tools coming from physics. This peculiar position triggered conceptual questions about its own identity. Inside this book, readers will find updated discussions on the foundations and the philosophy of this complex discipline.

Una de las mayores perplejidades a las que nos enfrenta la mecanica cuantica es la que se refiere a su limite clasico: como surge el mundo clasico a partir de una realidad cuantica por completo diferente? Esa pregunta, que Erwin Schrodinger ilustro con su famoso ejemplo del gato medio-vivo y medio-muerto, actualmente se aborda mediante la teoria de la decoherencia. Segun el enfoque ortodoxo, la decoherencia es un proceso que ocurre en un sistema abierto en interaccion con su entorno, el cual selecciona las propiedades clasicas. Si bien en los ultimos tiempos se ha producido una nutrida bibliografia sobre decoherencia, el presente libro se distingue de ella por adoptar una distancia critica respecto del enfoque ortodoxo. Aqui Sebastian Fortin se permite poner en primer plano las dificultades conceptuales que aun aquejan a la teoria y, sobre esta base, presenta un nuevo enfoque que pretende sortearlas, segun el cual la decoherencia es un fenomeno relativo a la particion entre sistema y entorno que se efectue en cada caso. Pero tal vez el mayor merito del trabajo de Fortin reside en permitirnos repensar un tema conocido bajo una nueva perspectiva, a la vez critica y creativa."

This book presents a comprehensive account of a new member of the family of the modal interpretations of quantum mechanics. According to the modal-Hamiltonian interpretation, the Hamiltonian of the quantum system plays a decisive role in the definition of systems and subsystems, and in the rule that selects the observables whose possible values become actual. This book begins by introducing the main interpretative postulates and by proving their Galilean invariance. Also discussed herein is an argument for the physical relevance of the interpretation.