Seminar on the theory of particles and fields

Contents & literature

As clear as the formalism of quantum mechanics is, as controversial are many of its fundamentals and interpretations even today. Some famous contributions towards this circle of problems, which are typically beyond the scope of course lectures, are to be trated: the EPR paradox, Bell’s inequalities, hidden parameters, the many-worlds theory etc. Furthermore, mathematical and theoretical aspects as well as further interesting phenomena of quantum mechanics are dealt with, such as the path integral, the Casimir effect and the concept of supersymmetry.

Topics are given out to students in master’s and bachelor’s programs.

Literature

• G. Münster: Quantentheorie, de Gruyter, 2006
• J.A. Wheeler, W.H. Zurek (eds.): Quantum Theory and Measurement, Princeton University Press, 1983
• K. Baumann, R. Sexl (Hrsg.): Die Deutungen der Quantentheorie, Vieweg, 1984
• G. Auletta: Foundations and Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, World Scientific, 2000
• F. Selleri: Die Debatte um die Quantentheorie, Vieweg, 1990
• A. Rae: Quantenphysik: Illusion oder Realität, Reclam, 1996
• D. Giulini et al. (eds.): Decoherence and the Appearance of a Classical World in Quantum Theory, Springer, 1996
• P. Mittelstaedt: Philosophische Probleme der modernen Physik, BI Hochschultaschenbücher, Band 50, 1963
• R.P. Feynman, A.R. Hibbs: Quantum Mechanics and Path Integrals, McGraw-Hill, 1965
• L.S. Schulman: Techniques and Applications of Path Integration, John Wiley & Sons, 1981
• G.-L. Ingold, A. Lambrecht, Casimir effect from a scattering approach, Am. J. Phys. 83 (2015) 156, arXiv:1404.6919 [quant-ph]
• H. Kalka, G. Soff: Supersymmetrie, Teubner, 1997

The literature is made available to the speakers. Further advice concerning complementary literature is given as part of the talk guidance.