Time in Quantum Mechanics

J. Gonzalo Muga, Rafael Sala Mayato, Iñigo L. Egusquiza (auth.), J.G. Muga, R. Sala Mayato, Í.L. Egusquiza (eds.)9783540734727, 3540734724, 9783642031731, 9783642031748

The treatment of time in quantum mechanics is still an important and challenging open question in the foundation of the quantum theory. This book describes the problems, and the attempts and achievements in defining, formalizing and measuring different time quantities in quantum theory, such as the parametric (clock) time, tunneling times, decay times, dwell times, delay times, arrival times or jump times. 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. After the brief historical overview in the introduction, 12 contributions are devoted to conceptual and theoretical investigations as well as experimental issues in quantum-mechanical time measurements. This novel monograph should attract physicists as well as philosophers of science working in the foundations of quantum physics. For this revised second edition, all chapters have been updated and extended where appropriate.

From the reviews of the first edition:

“Beginning with a clear introduction to the perplexing issue of the nature of time in quantum mechanics, the reader then undertakes a stimulating excursion through a sequence of chapters written by leading researchers. Theory and experiment are nicely balanced, and extensive lists of references accompany each chapter. […] Furthermore, the book is enlightening from a sociological perspective to see how ‘sides’ of these controversies developed and later reconciled as unified approaches […].” The Physicist, 39/5 (2002)

Table of contents :
Front Matter….Pages I-XIV
Introduction….Pages 1-30
Characteristic Times in One-Dimensional Scattering….Pages 31-72
The Time–Energy Uncertainty Relation….Pages 73-105
Jump Time and Passage Time: The Duration ofs a Quantum Transition….Pages 107-128
Bohm Trajectory Approach to Timing Electrons….Pages 129-162
Decoherent Histories for Space–Time Domains….Pages 163-193
Quantum Traversal Time, Path Integrals and “Superluminal” Tunnelling….Pages 195-233
Quantum Clocks and Stopwatches….Pages 235-278
The Local Larmor Clock, Partial Densities of States, and Mesoscopic Physics….Pages 279-303
“Standard” Quantum–Mechanical Approach to Times of Arrival….Pages 305-332
Experimental Issues in Quantum–Mechanical Time Measurement….Pages 333-353
Microwave Experiments on Tunneling Time….Pages 355-397
The Two-State Vector Formalism: An Updated Review….Pages 399-447
Back Matter….Pages 449-455