The quantum theory of motion. An account of the de Broglie-Bohm causal interpretation of quantum mechanics. (English) Zbl 0854.00009

Holland, Peter R.

Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press. xx, 618 p., £75.00; $ 125.00/hbk (1995).

The authors present a comprehensive exposition of the interpretation of quantum mechanics pioneered by Louis de Broglie and David Bohm. The purpose is to explain how quantum processes may be visualized without ambiguity or confusion in terms of a simple physical model.
Developing the theme that a material system such as an electron is a particle guided by a surrounding quantum wave, an examination of the classic phenomena of quantum theory is presented to show how the spacetime orbits of an ensemble of particles can reproduce the statistical quantum predictions. The mathematical and conceptual aspects of the theory are developed from first principles and topics covered include self-interference, tunnelling, the stability of matter, spin 1/2, and nonlocality in many-body systems. The theory provides a framework for analyzing the classical limit of quantum mechanics and Heisenberg’s relations, and implies a theory of measurement without wavefunction collapse. It also suggests a novel view of relativistic quantum theory, including the Dirac equation, quantum field theory and the wavefunction of the universe.

Reviewer: K.Brod (Wiesbaden)

MSC:

00A79	Physics
81-02	Research exposition (monographs, survey articles) pertaining to quantum theory
70-02	Research exposition (monographs, survey articles) pertaining to mechanics of particles and systems

Keywords:

particle mechanics; quantum mechanics; self-interference; tunnelling; stability of matter; spin 1/2; nonlocality in many-body systems; Heisenberg’s relations; theory of measurement; relativistic quantum theory; Dirac equation; quantum field theory; wavefunction