Researchers recently discovered a macroscopic pilot-wave system whose statistical behavior recalls that of quantum systems. The system consists of a bath of fluid vibrating at a rate just below the threshold at which waves form on its surface. When a droplet of the same fluid is released and strikes the surface it causes the wave to radiate outwards. The droplet then moves across the bath, propelled by the waves it creates. This system is undoubtedly quantitatively different from quantum mechanics, Bush says. Its also qualitatively different: There are some features of quantum mechanics that we cant capture, some features of this system that we know arent present in quantum mechanics. But are they philosophically distinct? asked John Bush, a professor of applied mathematics at MIT. Bush believes the Copenhagen interpretation overlooks the technical challenge of calculating particles trajectories by denying their existence. The key question is whether a real quantum dynamics, of the general form suggested by de Broglie and the walking drops, might underlie quantum statistics, he said. While undoubtedly complex, it would replace the philosophical vagaries of quantum mechanics with a concrete dynamical theory.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 20:10:55 +0000
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