After 100 years of quantum mechanics, physicists still cannot agree on anything

In July 1925 – a century ago – the physicist Werner Heisenberg Written a letter To his well -known colleague, Wolfgang Pauli. In this, Heisenberg admits that “his views on mechanics have become more extreme with the passage of every day,” Pauli’s quick notes on a attached manuscript think of whether it should be “completed … or for burning.”

This was umdeutung (Re -interpretation) paper, which laid the foundation for the most experimental verification of quantum mechanics. For this reason, scientists look umdeutungPublishing date as the birthday of the official amount of mechanics. To celebrate this 100th anniversary, nature 1,101 of physicists asked about their ask the most discussed questions in the field, which reveals that, as it was in the past, the field of quantum physics is still in a state of hot chaos.

Posted today, and the poll shows that physicists rarely meet their explanations of quantum mechanics and are often not sure of their answers. They tend to see face to face on two points: that the most easy physical interpretation of mathematics in quantum mechanics is valued (86 %), and it may be irony that the same quantum theory will be replaced by a more complete theory (75 %). A total of 15582 physicists was contacted, 101 out of 101, giving the survey a 7 % response rate. Of 1,101, more than 100 respondents send additional written answers with the questionnaire questions.

The “textbook” approach is still leading, with a warning

Participants were asked to name their favorite explanation for the measuring problem, which is a long -term puzzle in quantum theory in terms of uncertainty in quantum cases in the overlap. No clear majority of the options provided. The candidate, which includes 36 %, was the interpretation of Copenhagen, where quantum worlds (simply) differ from the classic worlds, and the molecules in quantum cases only acquire properties when measured by an observer in the classic field.

It should be noted that the Copenhagen interpretation critics refer to it as a “IN Up and Calculation” approach. This is because it often shines from the details of herbs for more practical endeavors, which, to be fair, truly strong for things like quantum computing. However, more than half of the physicists who chose the interpretation of Copenhagen admitted that they were not very confident in their answers, evading the follow -up questions that require them to clarify.

However, more than half of the respondents, 64 %, showed “healthy followers” for several other more radical views. These information based on (17 %) included (17 %). Many worlds (15 %), and Bohm-De BroGlie Pilot Wave theory (7 %). Meanwhile, 16 % of the respondents provided written answers that rejected all options, or claimed that we do not need any explanations, or offered their personal take the best explanation for quantum mechanics.

Therefore, like many other endeavors in quantum mechanics, we just have to see what sticks (or most likely, what not).

Divided results, adhesive reviews

Physicists who discussed the results with nature had mixed feelings about whether the lack of consensus was related. Elise Kroll At New York City University, for example, nature was told that mystery indicates that “people take the issue of interpretations seriously.”

Experts in the cross section of philosophy and physics were more important. Tim ModelinHe said that the philosopher at New York University, he told Gizmodo that the survey classification of certain concepts is misleading and preferred to contradictory answers – a variation that does not seem to be the respondents had realized it. “I think fast food from this is that physicists do not think clearly – and have not constituted strong views – on constituent issues in quantum theory,” Modelin, my professor at the College of Graduate Studies, commented.

In an email to Gizmodo, Sean CarrollTheoretical physicist in Johns Hopkins who responded to the survey, expressed similar concerns. He said that several factors may be behind this lack of consensus, but there is a prevailing view that it “does not matter as long as we can calculate experimental predictions”, which he said was “clearly wrong.”

“It would be reasonable that we thought we would know the final theory of physics and we have no prominent puzzles,” added Carroll, who was part of a group of experts consulting the survey. “But no one thinks that.”

“It is embarrassing that we do not have a story to tell people what a reality is,” I admit Carlon cavesTheoretical physicist at the University of New Mexico in the Boukirk participates in the survey, in the nature report.

However, the survey results seem to hint on a general belief in TIt is the importance of a strong theory foundations, as half of the participants agreed to this Physics departments do not give adequate attention to quantum institutions. On the other hand, 58 % of the participants answered that experimental results will help inform the theory that ends in the fact that it is “one”.

Schrodinger consensus, type of

For better or worse, the survey represents the vital field of quantum science-if you are the next Our coverageand You can really get, Alien. The lack of an explanation or consensus is not necessarily a bad science – it is just a science in the future. After all, quantum mechanics are still, despite its complexity One of the most trial theories are experimental In the history of science.

It is great to see how these experts can differ greatly from quantum mechanics, yet it still provides strong evidence to support their views. Sometimes, there is no correct or bad answer – just a different answer.

For your colleagues, quantum lovers, I am highly recommended to verify Full report For the entire calculation of how and where the physicists were divided. You can also find the original and methodological scan and an unknown version of all answers at the end of the report.

If you perform a questionnaire, or at least part of it, do not hesitate to share your answers. Oh, let me know if you think Heisenberg should have been burning umdeutung After all.