Reviews from Amazon

Quantum Physics:Illusion or Reality

The interpretation of quantum theory is often presented as an obscure topic, with links to mystical philosophies. Alistair Rae's Quantum Physics:Illusion or reality? is a non-technical introduction to the subject and does a lot to clear up the mysteries. He starts with by looking at the dual particle/wave nature of light and matter, and in particular experiments involving the polarisation of light. Chapter 3 on Bell's inequalities has a few equations, but they are all fairly simple. Rae then gets on to the different interpretations of quantum theory, pointing out that they all tend to have similar flaws.

Rae starts with Bohr's Copenhagen interpretation and then goes on to look at the idea that conscious observation plays a part. He also considers the the many-worlds interpretation. In the last few chapters Rae put forward some of his own ideas on what will be needed to understand quantum theory properly. He points out the for more experiments, such as finding out how much superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) behave as simple quantum systems. He also looks at the contribution of thermodynamics and chaos to the subject, leading up to Prigogene's ideas on the measurement problem, which seem to be Rae's favoured way forward.

Amazon.com info

Paperback 170 pages
ISBN: 0521542669
Salesrank: 305573
Weight:0.53 lbs

Published: 2004 Cambridge University Press

Amazon price $17.99

Marketplace:New from $10.95:Used from $10.95

Buy from Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 170 pages
ISBN: 0521542669
Salesrank: 253718
Weight:0.53 lbs

Published: 2004 Cambridge University Press

Amazon price £13.29

Marketplace:New from £7.86:Used from £6.86

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.ca info

Paperback 170 pages
ISBN: 0521542669
Salesrank: 266404
Weight:0.53 lbs

Published: 2004 Cambridge University Press

Amazon price CDN$ 15.29

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 14.16:Used from CDN$ 13.09

Buy from Amazon.ca

Product Description
The concept of Quantum Physics led Einstein to state that "God does not play dice". The difficulty he, and others, had with Quantum Physics was the great conceptual leap it requires taking from conventional ways of thinking about the physical world. Alastair Rae's introductory exploration into this area has been hailed as a "masterpiece of clarity" and is an engaging guide to the theories offered. This revised edition contains a new chapter covering theories developed during the past decade. Alastair Rae has been a Lecturer, a Senior Lecturer, then Reader in Quantum Physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy at University of Birmingham from 1967-2003. His publications include the First Edition of Quantum Physics, (Cambridge, 1994) and Quantum Mechanics (Institute of Physics, 2002), now in its Fourth Edition. First Edition Pb (1994): 0-521-46716-0

Product Description

The concept of Quantum Physics led Einstein to state that "God does not play dice". The difficulty he, and others, had with Quantum Physics was the great conceptual leap it requires taking from conventional ways of thinking about the physical world. Alastair Rae's introductory exploration into this area has been hailed as a "masterpiece of clarity" and is an engaging guide to the theories offered. This revised edition contains a new chapter covering theories developed during the past decade. Alastair Rae has been a Lecturer, a Senior Lecturer, then Reader in Quantum Physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy at University of Birmingham from 1967-2003. His publications include the First Edition of Quantum Physics, (Cambridge, 1994) and Quantum Mechanics (Institute of Physics, 2002), now in its Fourth Edition. First Edition Pb (1994): 0-521-46716-0

Good, but better books available ***
Even though I have a fair amount of background in Mathematics and Science, I found this book to be fairly dense. I can only speculate that this is probably because the author is not a Physicist. Instead, I would recommend a few other books that are written by physicists, deal with a wider topic (how relativity & quantum theory are at odds which led to the search for a unified theory) and are much more lucid. In no particular order, Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the 10th Dimens ion Relativity: The Special and the General Theory--A Clear Explanation that Anyone Can Understand The Fabric of the Cosmos (Penguin Press Science) The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory

Good, but better books available ***

Even though I have a fair amount of background in Mathematics and Science, I found this book to be fairly dense. I can only speculate that this is probably because the author is not a Physicist.

Instead, I would recommend a few other books that are written by physicists, deal with a wider topic (how relativity & quantum theory are at odds which led to the search for a unified theory) and are much more lucid.
In no particular order,
Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos

Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the 10th Dimens ion

Relativity: The Special and the General Theory--A Clear Explanation that Anyone Can Understand

The Fabric of the Cosmos (Penguin Press Science)

The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory

For those with a little background a great book *****
Be warned, this book assumes you know a little about quantum physics to begin with. It's not going to walk you through all the basics of the field. But for those who've had an introduction to the concepts of quantum physics, it's a great examination of the conceptual problems of quantum physics. Don't be fooled by its short length -- this is a book to be read slowly, re-read, an digested. The discussion of the EPR paradox and Bell's Theory is especially good, because it's more technical and mathematical than those in other intro books, and while therefore more difficult, it's also more rewarding.

For those with a little background a great book *****

Be warned, this book assumes you know a little about quantum physics to begin with. It's not going to walk you through all the basics of the field. But for those who've had an introduction to the concepts of quantum physics, it's a great examination of the conceptual problems of quantum physics. Don't be fooled by its short length -- this is a book to be read slowly, re-read, an digested. The discussion of the EPR paradox and Bell's Theory is especially good, because it's more technical and mathematical than those in other intro books, and while therefore more difficult, it's also more rewarding.

Don't tell God what to do *****
A. Rae struggles with the conceptual and philosophical implications of quantum physics (qf). His book contains excellent explanations of the destruction of determinism, because uncertainty and indeteterminism are built into qf's very foundations. He also rejects the 'hidden variables' solution to solve qf's apparent contradictions. He shows also the fundamental opposition between Einstein and Bohr. Unfortunately, this book contains a comment on the out-of-date Popper-Eccles discussion on the body/mind problem and their statement that the mind is not subject to the laws of physics. This problem has been resolved (see V. Ramachandran's linguistic solution in 'Phantoms in the brain', or G. Edelman's 'A universe of consciousness'). But I found certain flaws in the author's reasoning due mainly to the choice of bad examples. Firstly, let me state one fundamental specification: reality is a process, not a fact (L. Smolin). That is the reason why his ultimate question 'If reality is only what is observed ...' is not a good one. A qf measurement does not create the 'only' reality. Protons, electrons, dead or alive cats, DNA mutations exist, even if they are not observed. A qf measurement is part of the universal process. In qf we only measure complementarities (properties) as Bohr stated. Secondly, A. Rae states that macroscopic processes are irreversible (the second law of thermodynamics) and microscopic ones reversible. For reversibility he chooses as example the collision of two molecules. I doubt firmly that in our universe after the collision the molecules can (without an exterior intervention) go back to their initial states. Those interactions are 'theoretically' reversible. On the other hand, the life or death of a cat is a macroscopic event. The cat example is a good 'figure' to explain the qf theory, but it is a bad one to build a conceptual or philosophical theory on it. Nobody will calculate the outcome of a certain event based on a dead/alive scenario if a simple look at the cat's condition can eliminate 50% of the possibilities. The same goes for the DNA mutations. The theory of I. Prigogyne (his books are difficult) is certainly a step in the good direction. As reality is a process, indeterminism should also be the fundamental cornerstone for classical physics, but naturally not in our daily Euclidian life. In the case of the 'many worlds' question, I prefer Rudolf Peierls's solution where he proposes to speak of many world 'possibilities' (see P. Davies' 'The ghost in the atom'). This is a thought-provoking book. Not to be missed.

Don't tell God what to do *****

A. Rae struggles with the conceptual and philosophical implications of quantum physics (qf).
His book contains excellent explanations of the destruction of determinism, because uncertainty and indeteterminism are built into qf's very foundations. He also rejects the 'hidden variables' solution to solve qf's apparent contradictions. He shows also the fundamental opposition between Einstein and Bohr.
Unfortunately, this book contains a comment on the out-of-date Popper-Eccles discussion on the body/mind problem and their statement that the mind is not subject to the laws of physics. This problem has been resolved (see V. Ramachandran's linguistic solution in 'Phantoms in the brain', or G. Edelman's 'A universe of consciousness').
But I found certain flaws in the author's reasoning due mainly to the choice of bad examples.
Firstly, let me state one fundamental specification: reality is a process, not a fact (L. Smolin).
That is the reason why his ultimate question 'If reality is only what is observed ...' is not a good one.
A qf measurement does not create the 'only' reality. Protons, electrons, dead or alive cats, DNA mutations exist, even if they are not observed. A qf measurement is part of the universal process. In qf we only measure complementarities (properties) as Bohr stated.
Secondly, A. Rae states that macroscopic processes are irreversible (the second law of thermodynamics) and microscopic ones reversible.
For reversibility he chooses as example the collision of two molecules. I doubt firmly that in our universe after the collision the molecules can (without an exterior intervention) go back to their initial states. Those interactions are 'theoretically' reversible.
On the other hand, the life or death of a cat is a macroscopic event. The cat example is a good 'figure' to explain the qf theory, but it is a bad one to build a conceptual or philosophical theory on it. Nobody will calculate the outcome of a certain event based on a dead/alive scenario if a simple look at the cat's condition can eliminate 50% of the possibilities. The same goes for the DNA mutations.
The theory of I. Prigogyne (his books are difficult) is certainly a step in the good direction. As reality is a process, indeterminism should also be the fundamental cornerstone for classical physics, but naturally not in our daily Euclidian life.
In the case of the 'many worlds' question, I prefer Rudolf Peierls's solution where he proposes to speak of many world 'possibilities' (see P. Davies' 'The ghost in the atom').
This is a thought-provoking book. Not to be missed.

Long review for a good short book ****
Since the formulation of quantum theory in the 1920s the Copenhagen Interpretation of reality has been the mainstream view among physicists. But this interpretation has been uncomfortable for many, because it raises a number of paradoxes. The lack of cause and effect, (indeterminism), the so called "observer effect (quantum measurement problem), and non-locality, are among them. Waisting no time in this 118 page book, Alastair Rae grabs the reader in the very first sentence of the book by quoting Albert Einstein's famous pronouncement: "Does God play dice [with the universe]?" Using impeccable logic and only a bit of mathematical jargon, which can be circumvented by the reader, Rae sets out to solve many of these paradoxes. Citing experiments with polarized photons of light, he asks: What exactly constitutes a measurement? Does a measurement occur when a record is made? Or does it take consciousness to collapse the wave into a definitive particle? Is there a resolution to the Schrodinger's Cat paradox? How can we explain nonlocality? Rae systematically entertains and rebuts in a convincing and objective way many different philosophies put forward to make sense of quantum reality. Some have claimed, most notably Niels Bohr, that it's the interaction of the partilce with a macor-measuring device that instigates the collapse. Others believe that it takes a consciousness to create reality. Still others, looking for a way to save determinism, and circumvent the measurement problem latch on to Hugh Everett's many-world interpetation. Ironically as Rae points out most scientists claim to be "positivists", believing that it is meaningless to speculate on unobservable quantities. yet, they apparently have no problem believing in a myriad of unobservable and unmeasureable universes, completely and irreversibly cut off from our own. In the final two chapters Rae objectively entertains what he believes is the most likely resolution of the quantum measurement problem. His idea was first proposed by Ilya Prigonine who won the Nobel Prize for his work in the field of irreversible chemical thermodynamics. The classical idea put forward by Prigonine states that there is an irreversible arrow of time and the second law of thermodynamics is never violated. Citing Prigonine's work, Rae explains: If no measurement is made of a quantum system no impression has been made on the universe, and the information which could have been obtained can be reversed and destroyed. If, however, a measurement is made, a change of some sort has occurred, either in the measuring device or our brain. The measurement has impacted the universe in some manner, and as a result the macro system must now follow the second law of thermodynamics, which has and arrow of time and hence is irreversible. Rae states that "if we follow Prigogine's approach, indeterminism becomes an implicit part of classical physics. Has Alastair Rae accomplished what he set out to do in this Book? Not quite. At the beginning of the book he states that he will tackle the problem of indeterminism, yet he spends most of his time attempting to explain the quantum measurement problem which is something quite different. And when he does address determinsim it falls short on several points. First, a Prigogine macro system is indeed unpredictable, but it is not indeterminate as Rae seems to imply. Rather, it is a determinate and irreversible system having and arrow of time and an initial cause, no matter how subtle. Secondly, he fails to address the process of nuclear decay, and the jump of the electron from one orbit to another--both of which are "real" and indeterminate. Finally, in regard to the quantum measurement problem. Rae does not take into account recent experiments done with photons as cited in Scientific American (November 1991). In this particular experimental set-up at the Universtity of Rochester, researchers demonstrated that "The mere possibility that the paths can be distinguished is enough to wipe out the interference pattern." There is no measurement made, no record made, and no interaction with a macro system. Yet, the collapse of the wave happens without interacting with a macro sytem. Therefore, it seems that Ray's explanation of a resolution to the problem by creating a record in a classical Prigogine system is invalid. This is still a very well written, concise, and provacative book and I would recommend it for those who want to understand the basic principles and paradoxes of quantum reality. This review written by: Quantum Reality1, author of "Quantum Reality: A New Philosophical Perspective."

Long review for a good short book ****

Since the formulation of quantum theory in the 1920s the Copenhagen Interpretation of reality has been the mainstream view among physicists. But this interpretation has been uncomfortable for many, because it raises a number of paradoxes. The lack of cause and effect, (indeterminism), the so called "observer effect (quantum measurement problem), and non-locality, are among them.
Waisting no time in this 118 page book, Alastair Rae grabs the reader in the very first sentence of the book by quoting Albert Einstein's famous pronouncement: "Does God play dice [with the universe]?"
Using impeccable logic and only a bit of mathematical jargon, which can be circumvented by the reader, Rae sets out to solve many of these paradoxes. Citing experiments with polarized photons of light, he asks: What exactly constitutes a measurement? Does a measurement occur when a record is made? Or does it take consciousness to collapse the wave into a definitive particle? Is there a resolution to the Schrodinger's Cat paradox? How can we explain nonlocality?
Rae systematically entertains and rebuts in a convincing and objective way many different philosophies put forward to make sense of quantum reality. Some have claimed, most notably Niels Bohr, that it's the interaction of the partilce with a macor-measuring device that instigates the collapse. Others believe that it takes a consciousness to create reality. Still others, looking for a way to save determinism, and circumvent the measurement problem latch on to Hugh Everett's many-world interpetation.
Ironically as Rae points out most scientists claim to be "positivists", believing that it is meaningless to speculate on unobservable quantities. yet, they apparently have no problem believing in a myriad of unobservable and unmeasureable universes, completely and irreversibly cut off from our own.
In the final two chapters Rae objectively entertains what he believes is the most likely resolution of the quantum measurement problem. His idea was first proposed by Ilya Prigonine who won the Nobel Prize for his work in the field of irreversible chemical thermodynamics. The classical idea put forward by Prigonine states that there is an irreversible arrow of time and the second law of thermodynamics is never violated. Citing Prigonine's work, Rae explains: If no measurement is made of a quantum system no impression has been made on the universe, and the information which could have been obtained can be reversed and destroyed. If, however, a measurement is made, a change of some sort has occurred, either in the measuring device or our brain. The measurement has impacted the universe in some manner, and as a result the macro system must now follow the second law of thermodynamics, which has and arrow of time and hence is irreversible.
Rae states that "if we follow Prigogine's approach, indeterminism becomes an implicit part of classical physics.
Has Alastair Rae accomplished what he set out to do in this Book? Not quite. At the beginning of the book he states that he will tackle the problem of indeterminism, yet he spends most of his time attempting to explain the quantum measurement problem which is something quite different. And when he does address determinsim it falls short on several points.
First, a Prigogine macro system is indeed unpredictable, but it is not indeterminate as Rae seems to imply. Rather, it is a determinate and irreversible system having and arrow of time and an initial cause, no matter how subtle.
Secondly, he fails to address the process of nuclear decay, and the jump of the electron from one orbit to another--both of which are "real" and indeterminate.
Finally, in regard to the quantum measurement problem. Rae does not take into account recent experiments done with photons as cited in Scientific American (November 1991). In this particular experimental set-up at the Universtity of Rochester, researchers demonstrated that "The mere possibility that the paths can be distinguished is enough to wipe out the interference pattern." There is no measurement made, no record made, and no interaction with a macro system. Yet, the collapse of the wave happens without interacting with a macro sytem. Therefore, it seems that Ray's explanation of a resolution to the problem by creating a record in a classical Prigogine system is invalid.
This is still a very well written, concise, and provacative book and I would recommend it for those who want to understand the basic principles and paradoxes of quantum reality. This review written by: Quantum Reality1, author of "Quantum Reality: A New Philosophical Perspective."

Thank you, Alastair Rae *****
It has only been once in a great while that a thin little tome has taught me so much, and been so much fun. Before Quantum Physics by Alastair Rae, the last one I remember was Richard Feynmann's QED. I now feel like I have at least a near understanding of Bell's Theorem, EPR, SQUIDS, and an assortment of things and concepts that were tantalizing but vague until now. Thank you, Alastair, you're a good teacher. And, the little surprise at the end, Prigogine's possible answer. I'd always found him intriguing. Now I know why.

Thank you, Alastair Rae *****

It has only been once in a great while that a thin little tome has taught me so much, and been so much fun. Before Quantum Physics by Alastair Rae, the last one I remember was Richard Feynmann's QED. I now feel like I have at least a near understanding of Bell's Theorem, EPR, SQUIDS, and an assortment of things and concepts that were tantalizing but vague until now. Thank you, Alastair, you're a good teacher. And, the little surprise at the end, Prigogine's possible answer. I'd always found him intriguing. Now I know why.

Explore many worlds - and other places. *****
"Illusion or Reality" sets out clearly the unavoidable difficulties of any attempt to visualise what is actually going on in the quantum world. You may end up agreeing with those quantum purists who insist that it is best not to ask; but at least the author deals with all the main attempts at interpretation in a generally unbiassed way, only revealing his own preferences in a final summary chapter. A slim book, it is by no means a quick read: the subject is precisely argued and concisely expressed. I found only one misprint in this book, annoyingly in an equation - a missing minus sign on page 41. And in only one place did the presentation seem at all partial. Einstein (and his EPR partners) come out pretty badly from this analysis of their objections to the consequences of the Bohr interpretation: granted that Einstein's hidden variables have - ironically - turned out to require the very non-locality to which he was objecting; that still does not let Bohr and his Copenhagen group off the non-local hook. This book is a balanced take on a subject that Richard Feynman asserted nobody understands.The bibliography is also excellent, opening up many possibilities for further reading in related fields.

Explore many worlds - and other places. *****

"Illusion or Reality" sets out clearly the unavoidable difficulties of any attempt to visualise what is actually going on in the quantum world. You may end up agreeing with those quantum purists who insist that it is best not to ask; but at least the author deals with all the main attempts at interpretation in a generally unbiassed way, only revealing his own preferences in a final summary chapter. A slim book, it is by no means a quick read: the subject is precisely argued and concisely expressed.

I found only one misprint in this book, annoyingly in an equation - a missing minus sign on page 41. And in only one place did the presentation seem at all partial. Einstein (and his EPR partners) come out pretty badly from this analysis of their objections to the consequences of the Bohr interpretation: granted that Einstein's hidden variables have - ironically - turned out to require the very non-locality to which he was objecting; that still does not let Bohr and his Copenhagen group off the non-local hook.

This book is a balanced take on a subject that Richard Feynman asserted nobody understands.The bibliography is also excellent, opening up many possibilities for further reading in related fields.

the best book I know on this topic *****
This book deals with the fascinating problem of finding a realistic philosophical interpretation for quantum mechanics. It presents the several existing approaches to this problem, both the older ones and the newer. Whoever is interested in this topic, be she/he a physicist or a general reader, will find this book very readable, clear, and extremely interesting.

the best book I know on this topic *****

This book deals with the fascinating problem of finding a realistic philosophical interpretation for quantum mechanics. It presents the several existing approaches to this problem, both the older ones and the newer. Whoever is interested in this topic, be she/he a physicist or a general reader, will find this book very readable, clear, and extremely interesting.

A slim, unforgettable volume *****
An exceptional book which in just over 100 pages tackles one of Quantum Physics' fundaments in a remarkably easy to absorb way. Popular science books all too often appear to be maximizing the 'Wow' factor and tend to be condescending and/or superficial. Not this book which actually succeeds in casting light on the measurement problem. While this may not sound all that exciting, you'll be gripped by it. I for one found it to be one of the most rewarding books I've come across for a long time. [ It actually containing a few (simple) equations, bless the author, but you can skip them without missing the main points.]

A slim, unforgettable volume *****

An exceptional book which in just over 100 pages tackles one of Quantum Physics' fundaments in a remarkably easy to absorb way. Popular science books all too often appear to be maximizing the 'Wow' factor and tend to be condescending and/or superficial. Not this book which actually succeeds in casting light on the measurement problem. While this may not sound all that exciting, you'll be gripped by it. I for one found it to be one of the most rewarding books I've come across for a long time. [ It actually containing a few (simple) equations, bless the author, but you can skip them without missing the main points.]

Essential for all quantum theory enthusiasts. *****
Easy to read, informative, interesting and well laid out. In my opion Rae is the author on quantum physics, both this book and "Quantum Mechanics", also by Rae make a very tricky subject suprisingly easy to follow.

Essential for all quantum theory enthusiasts. *****

Easy to read, informative, interesting and well laid out. In my opion Rae is the author on quantum physics, both this book and "Quantum Mechanics", also by Rae make a very tricky subject suprisingly easy to follow.