1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 585: The principle of complementarity! The principle of superposition of states! Wave function collapse! Bruce's interpretation! Shocking the audience!

When discussing the "wave-particle duality of light", the waves here refer to "electromagnetic waves".

When discussing the "wave-particle duality of electrons", the wave here refers to the "probability wave".

When discussing the "wave nature of a single photon", the wave here includes both the properties of electromagnetic waves and the properties of probability waves.

If we look at photons from a quantum perspective, they conform to the description of quantum mechanics and exist in the form of probability waves.

If we look at photons from the perspective of classical electromagnetism, then they are part of the macroscopic electromagnetic waves and are of course also electromagnetic waves.

Probability waves and electromagnetic waves are not the same kind of waves.

But no matter which kind of wave it is, it is contradictory to the existence of particles.

Due to the special nature of photons, electrons are generally used as an example when discussing the wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics.

Therefore, wave nature refers to the probability wave property of electrons, while particle nature refers to the form in which electrons exist in the form of mass.

Current quantum mechanics cannot unify the two.

If this problem is not solved, no matter how brilliantly quantum mechanics develops, there will be great risks.

It's like several crises in the field of mathematics.

Scientific theories must be built on a solid foundation. Once the foundation collapses, the building on it will fall apart instantly.

Although we do not understand the wave-particle duality, it does not affect our use of quantum mechanics.

But the big guys present here are responsible for laying a solid foundation.

Even if you can’t figure it out, you have to think about it!
And now, Professor Bruce made a shocking statement!
Did that man really solve the nature of wave-particle duality?
The bosses immediately held their breath and concentrated.

They knew what was coming next, and it would change the world of physics!
At this time, Li Qiwei continued:

"In the quantum microscopic world, particle nature and wave nature are two aspects that are both contradictory and complementary."

"For a single quantum object, I'm taking the electron as an example here, if you describe it from only one perspective, it's incomplete."

"Only by describing it from both the particle and wave aspects can we form a complete description of a single electron."

"Moreover, the particle and wave properties of a single electron cannot appear at the same time. We can only observe one of these properties in a single measurement."

"If you use particle-like measurements to observe electrons, they will behave like particles."

“For example, electron collision experiments, Wu-Compton scattering effect, photoelectric effect, etc.”

"If you use wave-like measurements to observe electrons, they will behave like waves."

“A typical example is the electron diffraction experiment.”

"Then, there is one last possibility."

"What is an electron when we don't measure it?"

"I think that the electron is in a superposition of two possibilities at this moment!"

“We can neither say that an electron is a probability wave nor that it is a particle.”

"It is also impossible to say that an electron is both a probability wave and a particle."

“It’s nothing.”

"Any attempt to describe the electron is wrong."

"If you have to give a descriptive definition, I'd call it a ghost."

"An unknowable, invisible, unimaginable ghost."

"So, the description of the state of a single quantum object like an electron is meaningless unless the electron is measured."

“If you want to describe, you have to measure first.”

“This is the [complementarity principle] that I proposed.”

hiss!
The venue was eerily quiet!
Everyone was shocked beyond words by the principle of complementarity!
It was as if I had heard the most incredible thing in the world!
How can this be?

"Oh my God, Professor Bruce actually incorporated the measurement of human subjective consciousness into the physical framework!"

"Doesn't that involve consciousness in science?"

"This is simply like a fairy tale!"

Everyone only felt their scalps numb.

According to the principle of complementarity, electrons are nothing before measurement.

There is no way to describe its state.

Only when you measure it does the electron exhibit some properties of wave and particle.

If you use the wave measurement method, the electron will exhibit wave properties; if you use the particle measurement method, the electron will exhibit particle properties.

It feels like electrons have consciousness!
It can tell which method humans are measuring!

Everyone shuddered at the thought of this.

Bohr, Heisenberg and Pauli, the three loyal guardians of quantum mechanics, also found it incredible.

The principle of complementarity was beyond their imagination.

At the end of the research, it was found that the state of electrons is unknowable.

This is too exaggerated!
Einstein and Schrödinger looked at each other and saw disbelief in each other's eyes.

Originally they were planning to question probability waves and the uncertainty principle today.

Before the results even started, Professor Bruce actually came up with an even more bizarre theory!

According to the other party's description, the principle of complementarity does explain the essence of wave-particle duality.

But this explanation is even more difficult to accept.

This is not just a slide into the unknowable, but an introduction of measurement and consciousness into science.

Thinking hard!
Einstein couldn't help asking:
"Bruce, your principle of complementarity is a purely linguistic description."

"I don't think it's enough to support such rich connotations!"

“Can you give a mathematical description?”

Everyone was shocked!
Professor Einstein is a close friend of Professor Bruce.

He actually objected immediately.

However, everyone changed their minds.

“This is a true confidant!”

On this like-minded journey of pursuing truth, the collision of ideas is the light of their friendship!

Even Bohr and others had to admit that Einstein's doubts were reasonable.

There has never been a theory in physics that can only be described by language.

Professor Bruce must give the mathematical language of the principle of complementarity!

Facing Einstein's question, Li Qiwei smiled and said confidently:
"of course can!"

“That’s exactly what I’m going to talk about next.”

"According to the complementarity principle, when the electron is not observed, it is in a superposition of the probability wave and particle states."

“We can’t imagine what this state is like.”

"It's like there's a coin that can show both the front and back sides at the same time, and we can't imagine that form."

"So we can only write down the state of the electron at this moment in mathematical terms."

Then, Li Qiwei started the projector and said as he wrote:
"Here I need to introduce two concepts: eigenstate and superposition state."

"The so-called eigenstate refers to the state of the electron that can be determined after measurement."

"When an electron is in a particle-like state, this is an eigenstate, represented by ψ(particle)."

"When the electron is in the state of a probability wave, this is again an eigenstate, represented by ψ(wave)."

"The superposition state refers to the indescribable state of the electron before it is measured, represented by ψ (superposition)."

"Now, we can re-describe the principle of complementarity in mathematical language."

"Before an electron is observed, it is in a linear superposition of its eigenstates." "The formula is: ψ(superposition) = ψ(particle) + ψ(wave)."

"I call this process the Principle of Superposition of States."

"The superposition principle causes the electron to be in a superposition state of probability wave and particle nature."

"This superposition state has no real counterpart, so we cannot imagine it and can only calculate it mathematically."

"At this point, someone might ask: How does the electron transform from the superposition state to the eigenstate?"

"It's very simple."

"As long as the electron is observed, it will instantly change from the linear superposition state to a specific eigenstate."

"I call this process [wave function collapse]."

At this time, in the stunned state of the crowd, Li Qiwei continued:

"As shown in the picture, this is the Schrödinger equation."

"According to my probability wave theory, ψ in the equation represents the probability amplitude of the electron, and |ψ| represents the probability of the electron appearing at a certain position."

"Now, with the three concepts of complementarity principle, state superposition principle and wave function collapse, we can have a more fundamental interpretation of probability waves."

“Before it is measured, the electron’s position is in a superposition of possible positions.”

"At this point, the electron can be in any position at the same time." (Note the word "at the same time", it is very, very important)
"The Schrödinger equation is a description of the superposition of electron positions."

"Although we don't know where the electron is, through theory, we can calculate the probability of the electron appearing in a certain place."

"Once an electron is measured, its wave function collapses and it instantly and randomly appears at a certain location."

"So, before we measure it, the electron is not the little ball we imagine it to be."

“It is not any form of existence in the world, such as an apple, a stone, water, etc.”

“We can’t construct a physical picture of it.”

"That's my explanation of the wave-particle duality."

quiet!
Deathly silence!

Everyone was stunned with shock!
The two concepts of the superposition principle and the collapse of wave function seemed to pierce through their three views.

It’s so appalling!

Is this still the electron we know?

More and more mysterious.

Everyone suddenly realized why quantum mechanics was so unfamiliar.

"Oh my God! Professor Bruce's theory is so incredible!"

"The state of an electron is actually the result of the combined superposition of various states."

"How can this be?"

“It’s really hard to imagine what kind of scene this is!”

At this moment, Planck, Lorentz, Thomson and other predecessors were completely confused.

As experts in classical physics, they find it difficult to understand these concepts.

Especially the most mysterious wave function collapse, which is no different from magic.

The younger generation, such as Compton, Hunt, Bose, etc., can only silently shout 666 in their hearts.

Professor Bruce's theory is simply horrifying!
There seemed to be a flash of lightning in Bohr's eyes!

"Oh my god! This is the answer I've been looking for!"

"Teacher, he really didn't lie to me. He really solved the core problem of quantum mechanics!"

“It’s really amazing!”

Bohr felt his internal organs trembling.

His excitement was unimaginable.

Suddenly, he felt that Professor Bruce's idea sounded very familiar.

It was as if he had seen it in a dream!
In real history, after Bohr returned from vacation, he had a burst of inspiration and came up with the principle of complementarity.

Heisenberg and Pauli could hardly hide their excitement.

As peerless geniuses, they have always made it their mission to surpass Professor Bruce.

But every time they thought they were getting close, they realized that all they saw was the other person's illusory back.

Heisenberg sighed as if no one was around:
"Wave mechanics and matrix mechanics are just theoretical frameworks for quantum mechanics."

"And the five major theories proposed by Professor Bruce are: probability wave, uncertainty principle, complementarity principle, state superposition principle, and wave function collapse."

"They are the true explanation of the nature of the quantum world!"

"Professor Bruce single-handedly perfected the meaning of quantum mechanics."

"From now on, quantum mechanics truly has a soul!"

“I would call it the Blues Interpretation!”

boom!
Everyone was shocked!

There is a huge wave in my heart!
What Heisenberg meant was that Professor Bruce alone represented quantum mechanics!

What a terrifying strength this is!

The orthodoxy of quantum mechanics is Bruce's interpretation!
At this moment, the most moved person on the field was undoubtedly De Broglie.

Wave-particle duality is a corollary of his wave theory of matter.

But he himself could not give a reasonable explanation.

His waveguide theory was questioned at the last conference.

Afterwards he went back and thought about it carefully, and realized that there was indeed a problem.

And today, when de Broglie saw the principle of complementarity and its extended principle of superposition of states and collapse of wave function.

He was shocked!

What a fantastic idea!
Although de Broglie did not immediately accept this theory.

He always felt that the inability to describe the picture of the electron was a compromise of the theory.

But objectively speaking, Professor Bruce's understanding of wave-particle duality is countless times deeper than that of the person who proposed it.

"Is this Professor Bruce's strength?"

“It really makes people feel desperate and excited at the same time.”

Schrodinger opened his mouth in shock.

Heisenberg's interpretation of Bruce completely shook his soul.

Wave mechanics and matrix mechanics shine with unimaginable brilliance in the hands of Professor Bruce!
"Could Professor Bruce really be wrong?"

Schrödinger was afraid before the battle even started; he wavered.

At this moment, in the eyes of everyone, Professor Bruce is no longer a tyrant, but a man who can cover the world with one hand!
He alone covers the sky of quantum mechanics!

Although quantum mechanics was an amazing theory, it had several minor flaws.

Today's quantum mechanics is just like the theory of relativity, logically self-consistent and integrated!
It has its own explanation of the nature of the world!
At this moment, among the crowd below the stage, Einstein's expression was extremely complicated.

Excited, confused, puzzled.
He didn't expect that Bruce also came prepared!

"It turns out that man never stopped to think."

But faced with Bruce's interpretation, Einstein really couldn't accept it.

"impossible!"

"Absolutely impossible!"

(End of this chapter)