Quantum physics cat. Quantum Cheshire Cat. Whether the cat remains alive as a result of an experiment

08.11.2020

June 24th, 2015

I want to admit to my shame that he heard this expression, but did not know what it means and at least for what theme is used. Let me tell you that I read about this cat on the Internet ...

« Shroedinger `s cat"This is the name of the famous mental experiment of the famous Austrian physicist-theorist Erwin Schrödinger, who is also a laureate of the Nobel Prize. With this fictional experience, the scientist wanted to show the incompleteness of quantum mechanics when moving from subatomic systems to macroscopic systems.

The original article of Erwin Schrödinger was published in 1935. Here is a quote:

You can construct cases in which a pretty burlesque. Let some cat locked in a steel chamber along with the next devilish machine (which should be independent of the intervention of the cat): inside the Geiger counter there is a tiny amount of radioactive substance, so small that for an hour only one atom can be filled with the same probability may not be disappeared; If this happens, the reading tube is discharged and the relay is triggered, the slimming hammer that breaks the bow with the blue acid.

If for an hour to give all this system to itself, then we can say that the cat will be alive after this time, if the collapse of the atom does not occur. The first decay of the atom would choose the cat. Psi-function of the system as a whole will express it, mixing in itself or swinging the live and dead cat (sorry for the expression) in equal shares. Typical in such cases is that the uncertainty originally limited by the atomic world is converted to macroscopic uncertainty, which can be eliminated by direct observation. This prevents us from naively to accept the "blur model" as a reflective reality. In itself, this does not mean anything unclear or contradictory. There is a difference between fuzzy or defocused photo and a snapshot of clouds or fog.

In other words:

There is a box and a cat. The box contains a mechanism containing a radioactive atomic core and a container with a poisonous gas. The parameters of the experiment are selected so that the probability of the decay of the core in 1 hour is 50%. If the kernel breaks down, the gas container opens and the cat dies. If the decay of the nucleus does not happen - the cat remains alive, well.
Close the cat in the box, we are waiting for an hour and we wonder: Is the cat or dead?
The quantum mechanic, as it were, tells us that the atomic core (and, consequently, the cat) is in all possible states at the same time (see Quantum Superposition). Before we opened the box, the Côtener system is in a state of the "core contemplate, the Cat of Deal" with a 50% probability and in a state of "the kernel did not break up, the cat is alive" with a probability of 50%. It turns out that the cat sitting in the drawer is alive, and the dead is at the same time.
According to modern Copenhagen interpretation, cats are alive / dead without any intermediate states. And the choice of the state of the decomposition of the nucleus is not at the time of opening the box, and even when the kernel falls into the detector. Because the reduction of the wave function of the system "Cat-detector-core" system is not related to the human observer man, but is associated with the kernel observer detector.

According to quantum mechanics, if there is no observation over the nucleus of the atom, then its condition is described by the mixing of the two states - the unpaved kernel and the unprecedented nucleus, therefore, the cat sitting in the box and the personifies the core of the atom, and is alive, and the dead. If the box is open, then the experimenter can only see any one particular condition - "the kernel broke out, the cat dead" or "the kernel did not break up, the cat is alive."

The essence of the human language: the Schrödinger experiment showed that, from the point of view of quantum mechanics, the cat is simultaneously alive, and is dead, which can not be. Consequently, the quantum mechanics has significant flaws.

The question is: when the system ceases to exist as a mixture of two states and chooses one particular one? The purpose of the experiment is to show that the quantum mechanic is incomplete without some rules, which indicate under what conditions the collapse of the wave function occurs, and the cat either becomes dead, or remains alive, but ceases to be mixed up and the other. Since it is clear that the cat must be either alive or dead (there is no condition, intermediate between life and death), it will be similar and for the atomic nucleus. It must necessarily be either broken or unprecedented (Wikipedia).

Another most fresh interpretation of the Schrödinger's mental experiment is Sheldon Cooper's story, the hero of the TV series "Theory of the Big Bang" ("Big Bang Theory"), which he uttered for the less educated neighbor Penny. The essence of Sheldon's story lies in the fact that the concept of the Schrödinger cat can be applied in relations between people. In order to understand what is happening between a man and a woman, what relationship between them: good or bad, - you just need to open the box. And before that, the relationship is both good and bad.

Below is a video image of this dialogue "Theory of the Big Bang" between Sheldon and Singing.

An illustration of Schrödinger is the best example for describing the main paradox of quantum physics: according to its laws, particles, such as electrons, photons and even atoms exist in two states at the same time ("living" and "dead", if you recall a long-suffering cat). These states are called superpositions.

The American physicist Art Hobson (ARKANSAS STATE University) offered his decision of this paradox.

"Measurements in quantum physics are based on the operation of certain macroscopic devices, such as the Geiger counter, with which the quantum state of microscopic systems - atoms, photons and electrons is determined. Quantum theory implies that if you connect a microscopic system (particle) to a certain macroscopic device that distinguishes two different states of the system, then the device (the geiger counter, for example), will switch to a state of quantum confusion and will also be simultaneously in two superpositions. However, it is impossible to observe this phenomenon directly, which makes it unacceptable, "says the physicist.

Hobson says that in the Paradox of Schrödinger, the cat plays the role of a macroscopic device, a Geiger counter connected to the radioactive core to determine the condition of the decay or the "nonprole" of this nucleus. In this case, a live cat will be an indicator of the "Nespada", and the dead cat is a decay indicator. But according to quantum theory, the cat, as well as the kernel, should be in two superpositions of life and death.

Instead, according to physics, the quantum state of the cat should be confusing with the state of the atom, which means that they are in "nonlocal communication" with each other. That is, if the condition of one of the tangled objects is suddenly replaced by the opposite, then the state of its pair will also change in the same way, on any distance from each other they were. At the same time, Hobson refers to the experimental confirmation of this quantum theory.

"The most interesting in the theory of quantum confusion is that the change of state of both particles occurs instantly: no light or electromagnetic signal would have time to transfer information from one system to another. Thus, it can be said that this is one object, separated into two parts by space, and no matter how great the distance between them, "explains Hobson.

Schrödinger's cat is no longer alive and dead at the same time. He is dead if the decay occurs, and is alive if the decay does not happen.

We add that similar solutions to this paradox were offered by three more groups of scientists over the past thirty years, but they were not perceived seriously and remained unnoticed in broad scientific circles. Hobsonmes that the decision of the paradoxes of quantum mechanics, at least theoretical, is absolutely necessary for its deep understanding.

Schrödinger.

But quite recently, theorists explained how gravity kills Schrödinger's cat, but it is already harder ...

As a rule, physics explain the phenomenon that the superposition is possible in the world of particles, but it is impossible with cats or other macro objects, environmental interference. When a quantum object passes through the field or interacts with random particles, he immediately takes one state - as if it was measured. This is how the superposition is destroyed, as scientists believed.

But even if it became possible to isolate the macro-object, which is in a state of superposition, from interactions with other particles and fields, it would still be somewhat or too late. At least, this is true for the processes occurring on the surface of the Earth.

"Somewhere in the interstellar space, maybe a cat and would have a chance to maintain quantum coherence, but on earth or near any planet it is extremely unlikely. And the reason for this is gravity, "explains the lead author of the new research Igor Pikovsky (Igor Pikovski) from Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysician Center.

The Pikovsky and his colleagues from the University of Vienna argue that gravity has a devastating effect on quantum superposition of macro objects, and therefore we do not observe such phenomena in macromir. The basic concept of a new hypothesis, by the way, is summarized in the InterStellar feature film.

The Einstein general theory of relativity states that an extremely massive object will be overwhelmed near the space-time. Considering the situation on a smaller level, it can be said that for a molecule placed at the surface of the earth, the time will go somewhat slower than for the one that is in the orbit of our planet.

Due to the effect of gravity on the space-time of the molecule, which fell under this effect, will test the deviation in its position. And this, in turn, should affect its internal energy - the oscillations of particles in the molecule, which change over time. If you enter the molecule into a state of a quantum superposition of two locations, the ratio between the position and internal energy would soon cause the "Select" molecule only one of the two positions in space.

"In most cases, the decoration phenomenon is associated with an external influence, but in this case the internal oscillation of particles interacts with the movement of the molecule itself," explains the peak.

This effect has not yet been observed, since other sources of decoherence, such as magnetic fields, thermal radiation and vibration, as a rule, are much stronger, and cause the destruction of quantum systems long before the gravity does. But experimenters are striving to check the hypothesis expressed.

Such an installation can also be used to verify the ability of gravity to destroy quantum systems. To do this, it will be necessary to compare vertical and horizontal interferometers: in the first superposition should soon disappear due to the time stretching on different "altitudes" of the path, whereas in the second quantum superposition can be preserved.

sources

http://4brain.ru/blog/%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%82-%D1%88%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0% B3% D0% B5% D1% 80% D0% B0-% D1% 81% D1% 83% D1% 82% D1% 8C-% D0% BF% D1% 80% D0% BE% D1% 81% D1% 82% D1% 8B% D0% BC% D0% B8-% D1% 81% D0% BB% D0% BE% D0% B2% D0% B0% D0% BC% D0% B8 /

http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id\u003d2632838.

Here is some more nearby: for example, but. If you do not know yet, read about and what. And learn what The original article is on the site Inforos Link to an article with which this copy is made -

Surely you have repeatedly heard that there is such a phenomenon as Schrödinger's Cat. But if you are not a physicist, then, most likely, only distantly imagine what it is for the cat and why he is needed.

In this article, an attempt is given to explain to the essence of Schrödinger's theory about the cat and quantum mechanics, so that it is available to a person who does not have higher technical education. The article will also present various interpretations of the experiment, including from the series "Theory of the Big Explosion".

Description of the experiment

The original article of Erwin Schrödinger was published in 1935. In it, the experiment was described using or even an impersonation:

In other words:

There is a box and a cat. The box contains a mechanism containing a radioactive atomic core and a container with a poisonous gas. The parameters of the experiment are selected so that the probability of the decay of the core in 1 hour is 50%. If the kernel breaks down, the gas container opens and the cat dies. If the decay of the nucleus does not happen - the cat remains alive, well.
Close the cat in the box, we are waiting for an hour and we wonder: Is the cat or dead?
The quantum mechanic, as it were, tells us that the atomic core (and, consequently, the cat) is in all possible states at the same time (see Quantum Superposition). Before we opened the box, the Côtener system is in a state of the "core contemplate, the Cat of Deal" with a 50% probability and in a state of "the kernel did not break up, the cat is alive" with a probability of 50%. It turns out that the cat sitting in the drawer is alive, and the dead is at the same time.
According to modern Copenhagen interpretation, cats are alive / dead without any intermediate states. And the choice of the state of the decomposition of the nucleus is not at the time of opening the box, and even when the kernel falls into the detector. Because the reduction of the wave function of the system "Cat-detector-core" system is not related to the human observer man, but is associated with the kernel observer detector.

Explanation with simple words

Video from the "Theory of Big Bang"

Below is a video image of this dialogue "Theory of the Big Bang" between Sheldon and Singing.

Is the cat remained alive as a result of the experiment?

For those who incredibly read the article, but still worries about the cat - good news: do not worry, according to our data, as a result of a mental experiment of the crazy Austrian physics

No cat suffered

"In order to learn how to beat our drum, we had to create special quantum" sticks "whose role is played by single particles of light. All this opens the way to create a mechanical analog of the Schrödinger Cat, and checking the laws of quantum mechanics on macroscower, "said Martin Ringbauer (Martin Ringbauer) from the University of Queensland in Brisbane (Australia).

depositphotos.com

Schrödinger's cat - "participant" of a mental experiment, which was proposed by the Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1935. During it, a cat and a mechanism that opens a container with poison is placed in a closed box in the event of a radioactive atom decay (which may happen or not happen).

In accordance with the principles of quantum physics, the cat is both alive and dead. From here, the term "quantum superposition" originates - a set of all states in which a cat can be simultaneously. Today, physics, including scientists from the Russian Quantum Center, are actively trying to create such a Schrödinger Cat, which could be seen with the naked eye.

Ringbauer and his colleagues took the first step towards the "cultivation" of the big cat Schrödinger, studying how single particles of light interact with very thin, but at the same time visible to the eyes of the films. Scientists were interested, whether the collisions of photons with such membranes would generate quantum effects in them, "violating" the classical laws of mechanics.

As the physicist notes, under certain conditions, a single particle of light can be "split" in half, creating two more dull, but at the same time the confusing photon. If one of these particles are sent to the membrane, and the second - to the ordinary mirror, their interaction will result in the fact that another quantum connection will arise between the "drum" and photons.

At that moment, the photon in fact is in fact, the "sawn" photon is actually at the same time both in the one, and at another point - he or flies past the membrane, without causing fluctuations in it, or it hits it. Accordingly, with some dimensions, it will be "beat" into the drum, and with others - it will not cause any changes in it. In other words, the drum will be at the same time be silent, and knocking, which makes a macroscopic analogue of the Schrödinger cat like a film.

Guided by these ideas, the authors of the article gathered a similar installation and began to observe the film fluctuations using another laser. As the ringbauer recognizes, at room temperatures, such a construction is still not completely similar to "Schrödinger Drum", but even in such conditions there are anomalies on its surface, which indicate the presence of quantum properties.

In the near future, his team plans to improve the operation of laser oscillation sensors and places the "quantum drum" in the refrigeration unit, which they hope will help us first see the Schrödinger Cat for the first time.

"Anyone who is not shocked by quantum theory, I do not understand her, "said Nils Bohr, the founder of quantum theory.
The basis of classical physics is the unambiguous programming of the world, otherwise Laplace determinism, with the advent of quantum mechanics replaced by the invasion of the world of uncertainty and probabilistic events. And here, as it is impossible, there were mental experiments for physicists-theorists. These were trial stones on which the newest ideas were checked.

"Cat Schrödinger" is a mental experiment, proposed by Erwin Schrödinger, who he wanted to show the incompleteness of quantum mechanics when moving from subatomic systems to macroscopic systems.

A cat is placed in the closed box. The box has a mechanism containing a radioactive kernel, and a container with poisonous gas. The likelihood that the kernel will decrease in 1 hour, is 1/2. If the kernel disintegrates, it leads the mechanism into action, it opens the gas capacity, and the cat is dying. According to quantum mechanics, if there is no observation over the core, its condition is described by the superposition (mix) of the two states - the broken kernel and the unprecedented nucleus, therefore, the cat sitting in the box, and is alive, and the dead. If the box is open, then the experimenter can only see any one particular condition - "the kernel broke out, the cat dead" or "the kernel did not break up, the cat is alive."

When the system ceases to exist How is the mixture of two states and chooses one particular one?

The purpose of the experiment- show that the quantum mechanic is incomplete without some rules indicating under what conditions the collapse of the wave function (instant change in the quantum state of the object occurring during the measurement), and the cat either becomes dead, or remains alive, but ceases to be mixed up and other.

Since it is clear that the cat must be either alive or dead (there is no condition, intermediate between life and death), it means that this is true for the atomic nucleus. It will necessarily either be broken or unprecedented.

The Schrödinger article "The current situation in quantum mechanics" with the presentation of a mental experiment with a cat entered the German magazine "Natural Sciences" in 1935 in order to discuss the EPR-paradox.

Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen and Schrödinger designated the strange nature of the "quantum intricate" (the term was introduced by Schrödinger), characteristic of quantum states, which are superposition of the states of two systems (for example, two subatomic particles).

Interpretation of quantum mechanics

During the existence of quantum mechanics, scientists were nominated by its various interpretations, but the most supported from all today are "Copenhagen" and "Multi-Foreign".

"Copenhagen Interpretation" - This interpretation of quantum mechanics formulated Nils Bohr and Werner Geisenberg during cooperation in Copenhagen (1927). Scientists attempted to answer questions arising from the characteristic quantum mechanics of corpuscular-wave dualism, in particular to the question of measuring.

In the Copenhagen interpretation, the system ceases to be mixed states and chooses one of them at the moment when observation occurs. The experiment with the cat shows that in this interpretation, the nature of this very observation - measurements is not defined enough. Some believe that the experience says that until the box is closed, the system is in both states at the same time, in the superposition of the states "the core, the dead cat" and "the unprecedented core, a live cat", and when the box is open, then Only then there is a collapse of the wave function to one of the options. Others guess that "observation" occurs when the particle from the nucleus falls into the detector; However (and this is the key moment of a mental experiment) in Copenhagen interpretation there is no clear rule that says when this happens, and therefore this interpretation is incomplete until such a rule has been introduced, or it is not said how to enter it. The exact rule is: the accident appears in the place where the classic approximation is used for the first time.

Thus, we can rely on the following approach: in macroscopic systems we do not observe quantum phenomena (except for the phenomenon of superfluidity and superconductivity); Therefore, if we impose a macroscopic wave function on a quantum state, we must conclude that the superposition is destroyed. And although it is not entirely clear what it means that something is "macroscopic" in general, about the cat is just known that it is a macroscopic object. Thus, the Copenhagen interpretation does not believe that before opening a box, the cat is in a state of mixing live and dead.

In "Multi-Mistoin Interpretation" Quantum mechanics, which does not consider the measurement process with something special, both states of the cat exist, but decorate, i.e. A process occurs in which a quantum-mechanical system interacts with the environment and acquires information available in the environment, or otherwise, "confused" with the environment. And when the observer opens the box, it is confused with the cat and two states of the observer corresponding to the living and dead cat are formed, and these states do not interact with each other. The same mechanism of quantum decogenition is important for "joint" stories. In this interpretation, only the "Dead Cat" or "Living Cat" can be in "Joint History.

In other words, when the box opens, the universe splits into two different universes, in one of which the observer looks at the box with a dead cat, and in another - the observer looks at the live cat.

Paradox "Wigner friend"

Wigner's friend's paradox is a complicated experiment of the Cat Schrödinger Paradox. Nobel Prize laureate, American physicist Eugene Wigner introduced the category of "friends." After the experience is completed, the experimenter opens the box and sees a live cat. Cat condition at the time of opening the box goes into the state of "the kernel did not break up, the cat is alive." Thus, in the laboratory the cat is recognized alive. Outside the laboratory is "friend". A friend does not know, live cat or dead. A friend recognizes a cat alive only when the experimental will inform him the outcome of the experiment. But all other "friends" have not yet recognized the cat alive, and recognize only when they inform the result of the experiment. Thus, the cat can be recognized completely alive only when all people in the universe recognize the result of the experiment. Up to this point, on the scale of the large universe, the cat remains semi-intensive and semi-leading at the same time.

The above is applied in practice: in quantum calculations and in quantum cryptography. By fiber optic cable, a light signal is sent in the superposition of two states. If the attackers are connected to the cable somewhere in the middle and will make a removal of the signal to overheard the transmitted information, then it turns the wave function (from the point of view of the Copenhagen interpretation will be observed) and the light will turn into one of the states. After conducting statistical samples of light at the receiving end of the cable, it will be possible to detect whether the light in the superposition of states is being monitored or monitored and transferred to another item. This makes it possible to create a communication tool that exclude the invisible interception of the signal and eavesdropping.

Experiment (which in principle can be performed, although the working systems of quantum cryptography, capable of transmitting large amounts of information, have not yet been created) also shows that "observation" in the Copenhagen interpretation is not related to the consciousness of the observer, since in this case a change in statistics on The end of the cable leads a completely inanimate branch of the wire.

And in the quantum calculations of the state of Schrödinger Cat, there is a special confusing state of the qubits, in which they are all in the same superposition of all zeros or units.

( "Cube" - This is the smallest element for storing information in a quantum computer. It admits two own states, but it may be in their superposition. With any measurement of the condition of the Cuba, it accidentally goes into one of its own states.)

In the realities! Small brother "Cat Schrödinger"

Already 75 years have passed since the Schrödinger cat appeared, but so far some of the consequences of quantum physics seem to be disagreeable with our everyday ideas about the substance and its properties. According to the laws of quantum mechanics, it should be possible to create such a "cat", when it will be simultaneously alive, and dead, i.e. Will be in a state of quantum superposition of two states. However, in practice, the creation of a quantum superposition of such a large number of atoms is not yet possible. The difficulty is that the more atoms are in superposition, the less stable this state, since external influences are striving to destroy it.

Physicists from the Vienna University (publishing in the journal "Nature Communications", 2011) For the first time in the world, it was possible to demonstrate the quantum behavior of an organic molecule consisting of 430 atoms and in a state of quantum superposition. The molecule obtained by experimenters is more like octopus. The size of the molecules is about 60 angstroms, and the de Broglie wavelength for the molecule was only 1 pitchometer. Such a "molecular octopus" was able to demonstrate the properties inherent in Schrödinger's cat.

Quantum suicide

Quantum suicide is a mental experiment in quantum mechanics, which was proposed independently of the city of Molekomp and B. Marshal, and in 1998 the cosmologist was expanded by Max Tegmark. This mental experiment, being a modification of a mental experiment with Schredinger's cat, clearly shows the difference between the two interpretations of quantum mechanics: Copenhagen interpretation and multi-family interpretation of Everett.

In fact, the experiment is an experiment with Schrödinger's cat from a cat's point of view.

In the proposed experiment, a gun was sent to the participant, which shoots or does not shoot depending on the decay of a radioactive atom. The probability that as a result of the experiment, the gun will shoot and the participant will die, is 50%. If the Copenhagen interpretation is correct, then the gun will eventually shoot, and the participant will die.
If the multi-volume interpretation of the evers is true, then as a result of each experiment, the universe is split into two universes, in one of which the participant remains alive, and in another dies. In the worlds where the participant dies, he ceases to exist. On the contrary, from the point of view of the inconsequent participant, the experiment will continue, not leading to the disappearance of the participant. This is because in any branch, the participant is able to observe the result of the experiment only in the world in which it survives. And if the multi-volume interpretation is correct, the participant may notice that he will never perish during the experiment.

The participant will never be able to tell about these results, since from the point of view of a third-party observer, the probability of the exodus of the experiment will be the same in the multi-volume, and in Copenhagen interpretations.

Quantum immortality

Quantum immortality is a mental experiment arising from a mental experiment with quantum suicide and asserting that according to the multi-family interpretation of quantum mechanics of creatures, having the ability to self-consciousness, is immortal.

Imagine that the Experiment participant explodes a nuclear bomb near himself. In almost all parallel universes, the nuclear explosion will destroy the participant. But, despite this, there should be a small set of alternative universes in which the participant does in any way survive (that is, the universes in which the potential savition scenario is possible). The idea of \u200b\u200bquantum immortality is that the participant remains alive, and thus capable of perceiving the surrounding reality, at least one of the universes in the set, even if the number of such universes is extremely small in comparison with the number of all possible universes. Thus, over time, the participant will find that he can live forever. Some parallels with this conclusion can be found in the concept of anthropic principle.

Another example It follows from the idea of \u200b\u200bquantum suicide. In this mental experiment, the participant sends a gun on himself, which can either shoot or not, depending on the result of the decomposition of a radioactive atom. The probability that as a result of the experiment, the gun will shoot and the participant will die, is 50%. If the Copenhagen interpretation is correct, then the gun will eventually shoot, and the participant will die.

If the multi-volume interpretation of the evers is true, then as a result of each experiment, the universe is split into two universes, in one of which the participant remains alive, and in another dies. In the worlds where the participant dies, he ceases to exist. On the contrary, from the point of view of the not deceased participant, the experiment will continue, not leading to the disappearance of the participant, since after each splitting of the universes it will be able to realize himself only in those universes where he survived. Thus, if the multi-volume interpretation of Everett is true, then the participant may notice that he will never perish during the experiment, thereby "proving" his immortality, at least from his point of view.

Proponents of quantum immortality indicate that this theory does not contradict any well-known laws of physics (this position is far from unanimous recognition in the scientific world). In their arguments, they rely on the following two disputed assumptions:
- Verne the multi-volume interpretation of Everett, and not the Copenhagen interpretation, since the latter denies the existence of parallel universes;
- All possible scenarios in which during the experiment the participant may die, contain at least a small subset of scenarios, where the participant remains alive.

A possible argument against the theory of quantum immortality can be that the second assumption does not necessarily follow from the multi-family interpretation of the eversette, and it can conflict with the laws of physics, which are believed to be applied to all possible reality. The multi-volume interpretation of quantum physics does not necessarily assume that "everything is possible." It only indicates that at a certain point in time the universe can be divided into a number of others, each of which will correspond to one of the many possible outcomes. For example, it is believed that the second principle of thermodynamics is true for all the likely universes. This means that theoretically existence of this law prevents the formation of parallel universes, where he would have broken. The consequence of this may be an achievement from the point of view of the experimenter of such a state of reality, where its further survival becomes impossible, as it would require violations of the law of physics, which, according to the previously expressed assumption, is fair for all possible reality.

For example, when the nuclear bomb explodes, described above, it is rather difficult to describe a plausible scenario that does not violate the basic biological principles in which the participant will remain alive. Live cells simply simply cannot exist at temperatures achieved in the center of the nuclear explosion. In order for the theory of quantum immortality to remain fair, it is necessary that there is a mischief (and thereby no nuclear explosion happened), or there was any event that would be based on unopened or unproved laws of physics. Another argument against the theory discussed may be the presence of natural biological death in all creatures, which it is impossible to avoid in any of the parallel universes (at least at this stage of development of science)

On the other hand, the second principle of thermodynamics is a statistical law, and does not contradict the emergence of fluctuations (for example, the emergence of the region with conditions suitable for the life of an observer in the Universe, generally reached the state of heat death; or in principle, the possible movement of all particles arising from the result The nuclear explosion, so that each of them will fly past the observer), although such fluctuation arises only in the extremely small part of all possible outcomes. The argument relating to the inevitability of biological death can also be refuted on the basis of probabilistic considerations. For each living organism at the moment there is a non-zero chance that it will remain alive for the next second. Thus, the likelihood that it will remain alone during the next billion years is also different from zero (since it is a large number of non-zero factors), although very small.

In the idea of \u200b\u200bquantum immortality, the fact that according to her the self-compliant creature will be "forced to worry, extremely unlikely events that will arise in situations in which the participant seemingly should die. Even despite the fact that in many parallel universes, the participant dies, the few universes that the participant can perceive subjectively will develop at an extremely unlikely scenario. This in turn can in some way to cause a violation of the principle of causality, whose nature is not enough in quantum physics.

Although the idea of \u200b\u200bquantum immortality follows the most part of the experiment with "quantum suicide", Tegmark argues that under any normal conditions, any thorough creature before death passes through the stage (from a few seconds to several years) to reduce the level of self-consciousness, in no way associated with quantum mechanics, And the participant has no opportunity for long-term existence through the transition from one world to another, giving it the opportunity to survive.

Here, the reasonable observer consciously, only in a relatively small number of possible states in which he retains self-consciousness, continues to remain in, so to speak, "healthy body." The possibility that the observer, retaining consciousness, will remain crippled, much more than if it remains intact and unharmed. Any system (including a living organism) has much more opportunities to function incorrectly than to remain in perfect form. The ergodic hypothesis of the Boltzmann requires the immortal observer sooner or later all states are compatible with the preservation of consciousness, including those in which he will feel intolerable suffering - and such states will be much larger than the states of the optimal functioning of the body. Thus, according to the philosopher David Lewis, we should hope that the multi-volume interpretation is incorrect.

John Gribbin

In search of Cat Schrödinger. Quantum Physics and Reality

I don't like it all, and I'm sorry that I was noticed in this.

Erwin Schrödinger 1887-1961

Nothing real.

John Lennon 1940-1980

IN SEARCH OF SCHRÖDINGER'S CAT

QUANTUM PHYSICS AND REALITY

Translation from English Z. A. Mamedyarova, E. A. Fomenko

Thanks

My acquaintance with quantum theory took place for more than twenty years ago, even at school, when I found that the theory of the shell structure of the atom magically explained the entire periodic system of elements and almost all the chemistry with which I suffered on a multitude of boring lessons. I immediately began to dig further, he was resorted to the help of library books, as stated, "too complicated" for my modest scientific training, and immediately noticed the perfect simplicity of explaining the atomic spectrum from the position of quantum theory and first discovered for himself that the best in science at the same time Perfectly and simple, and this fact is too many teachers - accidentally or on purpose - hide from their disciples. I felt just like the hero of the novel "Search" Ch. P. Snow (although he read him much later), which opened the same thing:

I noticed that the confused random facts suddenly got into place ... "But this is truth," I said to myself. - It's fine. And this is the truth. " (Edition BUT, 1963, p. 27.)

In part, thanks to this insight in the university, I decided to study physics. At the time limit, my ambitions were implemented, and I became a student at the University of Sussex in Brighton. But there, the simplicity and beauty of deep ideas eclipsed the diversity of parts and mathematical methods of solving specific problems with the equations of quantum mechanics. The use of these ideas to the world of modern physics gave, perhaps, about the same idea of \u200b\u200bdeep beauty and truth, which gives piloting Boeing 747. About deltaplaneurism. Although the power of initial insight continued to provide the most significant impact on my career, for a long time I did not pay attention to the quantum world and discovered other charms of science.

Cutters of that early interest broke out again due to the combination of several factors. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, books and articles began to appear, which with varying success tried to explain the strange quantum world far from the science of the audience. Some of the so-called "popular texts" were so monstrously far from the truth that I could not even imagine that there would be a reader who would understand the truth and beauty of science, having studied them, and therefore wanted to tell everything as it was. At the same time, information about the long series of scientific experiments, which proved the reality of a number of the most strange aspects of quantum theory, and this information made me go to the library again and refresh its idea of \u200b\u200bthese amazing things. Finally, once at Christmas, the representatives of the Air Force invited me to take part in a radio program as a kind of scientific opponent Malcolm Maggerjja, who had just announced his address to Catholicism and was the main guest at that holiday time. After this great man expressed his point of view, emphasizing the mysteriousness of Christianity, he turned to me and said: "But there is one who knows all the answers - or claims that he knows everything." The time was limited, and I tried to give a worthy rebuff, indicating that science does not claim that it has all the answers, and just religion, and not science, fully relies on the limitless faith and the belief that the truth is known. "I don't believe in anything," I said, and began to explain my position, but at that moment the program came to an end. All Christmas holidays friends and acquaintances reminded me of these words, and I knew the clock that I had the lack of infinite faith in anything, I didn't prevent me from living with a normal life, using quite a reasonable working hypothesis that the sun was unlikely to disappear in one night .

All this helped me decompose on the shelves your own thoughts about the essence of science in the process of long discussions about the basic reality - or unrealism - the quantum world, and this turned out to be enough for me to make sure I can write a book that you now hold in your hands. Working on it, I checked many of the more subtle arguments in the course of its regular appearances in the scientific radio program of the British Armed Forces broadcasting corporation, which was leading Tommy Vans. The inquisitive issues of Tom quickly opened the imperfections of my presentation, and with their help I was able to organize my ideas in the best way. The main source of reference materials that I used when writing a book was the University of Sussex University, which contains one of the best collections of books on quantum theory in the world, and more rare materials I picked up Mandy Capleen from the magazine New Scientist, Which persistently thank me messages on Teletipa, while Christina Sutton adjusted my incorrect idea of \u200b\u200bparticle physics and field theory. My wife, not only I had invaluable help in the review of the literature and organization of the material, but also softened a lot of sharp corners. I am also grateful to Professor Rudolf Pirsty for explained in detail to me some subtleties of the experiment with the clock in the box and paradox of Einstein - Podolsky - Rosen.

All good things that are in this book, she is obliged to: "complex" texts in chemistry, the names of which I no longer remember and which I found in the County County Library at the age of sixteen; Mount- "popularizers" quantum ideas who convinced me that I could describe them better; Malcolm Maggerju and Air Force; library of the University of Sussex; Tommy Vans I. Bfbs; Mandy Caplin and Christine Sutton and especially min. Any complaints concerning the shortcomings that still remain in this book should be, of course, addressed to me.

John Gribbin

July 1983.

Introduction

If you add all the books and articles about the theory of relativity, written for ordinary people, then the stack is likely to be taught to the moon. "Everyone knows" that Einstein's relativity is the greatest achievement of the XX century science, and everything is mistaken. However, if you add all the books and articles about quantum theory, written for ordinary people, they will easily fit on my desk. This does not mean that the quantum theory did not hear over the walls of academies. Quantum mechanics even became popular in certain layers: with her, they tried to explain to telepathy and bending of spoons, they drew inspiration for many scientific fiction stories. In popular mythology, quantum mechanics binds - if it is associated in general - with occultism and extrasensory perception, that is, a strange, esoteric branch of science, which no one understands and which no one can find practical application.

This book is written in opposition to such perception of the fact that in essence is the most fundamental and important area of \u200b\u200bscientific knowledge. This book is obliged to this book by several circumstances, which arose in the summer of 1982. First, I just read the book on the theory of relativity called "the curvature of space" and decided that it was time to take on the demisertification of another great branch of the twentieth century science. Secondly, at that time I was increasingly annoyed by incorrect ideas that extended under the name of quantum theory in the environment of people far from science. The magnificent book of "Tao Physics" Fogrotof Capra contributed to the emergence of many imitators who did not understand neither physicists nor DAE, but felt that you could make money, tied by Western science with Eastern philosophy. Finally, in August 1982, the news came from Paris that a group of scientists had successfully conducted the most important experiment, which confirmed - for those who still doubted, the accuracy of the quantum-mechanical presentation of the universe.

Do not look for "Eastern Mysticism", bending spoons or psychic. Look for the truthful story of quantum mechanics, the truth in which is more surprising than any fiction. Such is the science: it does not need outfits from the shoulder of another philosophy, because she is full of beauty, sacraments and surprises. This book is trying to answer a specific question: "What is reality?" And the answer (or answers) may surprise you. You may not believe in it. But you will understand how modern science looks at the world.

Nothing real

A cat that appears in the title is a mythical being, but Schrödinger really existed. Erwin Schrödinger was an Austrian scientist, in the mid-1920s, playing a huge role in creating equations of a certain branch of science, which is now called quantum mechanics. However, to say that quantum mechanics is only a branch of science, hardly right, because it underlies the entire modern science. Its equations describe the behavior of very small objects - atoms size and less - and are the only thing Description of the world of smallest particles. Without these equations, physics would not be able to develop projects of workers of nuclear power plants (or bombs), create lasers or explain how the temperature of the Sun is not reduced. Without quantum mechanics, chemistry would still be in dark centuries and molecular biology would not appear: there would be no knowledge of DNA, nor genetic engineering - nothing.