Bananaworld
Quantum Mechanics for Primates
Published on 11. February 2016
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-19-871853-6 (ISBN)
Description
What on earth do bananas have to do with quantum mechanics?
From a modern perspective, quantum mechanics is about strangely counterintuitive correlations between separated systems, which can be exploited in feats like quantum teleportation, unbreakable cryptographic schemes, and computers with enormously enhanced computing power. Schro?dinger coined the term "entanglement" to describe these bizarre correlations. Bananaworld - an imaginary island with "entangled" bananas - brings to life the fascinating discoveries of the new field of quantum information without the mathematical machinery of quantum mechanics. The connection with quantum correlations is fully explained in sections written for the non-physicist reader with a serious interest in understanding the mysteries of the quantum world. The result is a subversive but entertaining book that is accessible and interesting to a wide range of readers, with the novel thesis that quantum mechanics is about the structure of information. What we have discovered is that the possibilities for representing, manipulating, and communicating information are very different than we thought.
From a modern perspective, quantum mechanics is about strangely counterintuitive correlations between separated systems, which can be exploited in feats like quantum teleportation, unbreakable cryptographic schemes, and computers with enormously enhanced computing power. Schro?dinger coined the term "entanglement" to describe these bizarre correlations. Bananaworld - an imaginary island with "entangled" bananas - brings to life the fascinating discoveries of the new field of quantum information without the mathematical machinery of quantum mechanics. The connection with quantum correlations is fully explained in sections written for the non-physicist reader with a serious interest in understanding the mysteries of the quantum world. The result is a subversive but entertaining book that is accessible and interesting to a wide range of readers, with the novel thesis that quantum mechanics is about the structure of information. What we have discovered is that the possibilities for representing, manipulating, and communicating information are very different than we thought.
Reviews / Votes
Ultimately, a physicist's universe is mathematical: you can't get at it through intuition alone ... It is a theme repeated in the extraordinary Bananaworld, in which Jeffrey Bub employs an innovative way of explaining the intricacies of quantum physics. ... Bananaworld should be mandatory reading for anyone studying or working in quantum or theoretical physics. * New Scientist. * Bananaworld is focused on theoretical issues rather than experiment, and will most likely appeal to those of a mathematical and philosophical persuasion. The book deserves a place on academic library shelves wherever there is interest in the foundations of quantum physics. ... Recommended. * M. C. Ogilvie, CHOICE * There are no other books at this level, to my knowledge Bubs treatment of it is masterful. It is therefore my hope that this book finds the wide readership it deserves * P. K. Aravind, American Journal of Physics * Bananaworld represents an invaluable contribution to the quantum foundations literature that provides a serious, comprehensive and impressively accessible introduction to this flourishing field. * Benjamin Eva, Metascience * This text will certainly become a classroom standard for training new generations of marine geochemists and inspire their amazing research to come. * Brian Haley, Elements *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Illustrations
24 b/w illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 250 mm
Width: 175 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
680 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-871853-6 (9780198718536)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
03/2018
Oxford University Press
€34.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
E-Book
02/2016
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€18.49
Available for download
Person
Jeffrey Bub received his PhD in mathematical physics from the University of London, UK, in 1966, where he studied physics with David Bohm at Birkbeck College and took part in Karl Popper's seminar in philosophy of science at the London School of Economics, UK. His first book, The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (Reidel, 1974), was influential in developing the concept of quantum logic. His second book, 'Interpreting the "Quantum World"' (CUP, 1997; revised paperback edition, 1999), won the prestigious Lakatos Award in 1998. He is currently a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, USA.
Content
1. Nobody Understands Quantum Mechanics ; 2. Qubits ; 3. Bananaworld ; 4. Really Random ; 5. Quantum Magic ; 6. Quantum Secrets ; 7. Quantum Feats ; 8. The Big Picture ; 9. Why the Quantum? ; 10. Making Sense of It All