Time in Quantum Mechanics

by J.G. Muga (Editor), R. Sala Mayato

The treatment of time in quantum mechanics is still an important and challenging open question in the foundation of the quantum theory. This multi-authored book, written as an introductory guide for newcomers to the subject, as well as a useful source of information for the expert, covers many of the open questions. The book describes the problems, and the attempts and achievements in defining, formalizing and measuring different time quantities in quantum theory.

469 pages, Hardcover

First published December 20, 2007

Reviews

[LS · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read the introduction. I thought this was going to be a book about time in the current formalism of quantum mechanics, however, according to the introduction, this really does not exist. After covering the how and why of it not existing and why we would like it to exist and how we would like it to look if it did exist, the introduction previews the articles in the rest of the book. Basically the rest of the book consists of a hodgepodge of theories (grouped into categories) which attempt with varying levels of partial success, to isolate time from a quantum mechanical effect such as time of flight, decay time, transition time, time for quantum tunneling, etc. and then give it a quantum mechanical treatment in line with that provided for the usual quantum observables like momentum, position, spin. Since my current focus is on accepted successful theories, rather than speculative theories, I declined to read the rest of the book. It is a beautiful book though. It is clearly written, on nice paper in a pretty font with very extensive lists of references, lots of equations, and thorough citations. It also specifically mentions how much each of the speculative theories has been confirmed with experimental data so that readers can form their own judgments about their merits.