The Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

Published by Princeton University Press 1973

The Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

Edited by: Bryce Seligman Dewitt and Neill Graham

Volume 61 in the series Princeton Series in Physics

In the series Princeton Legacy Library

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400868056

Overview
Contents

About this book

A novel interpretation of quantum mechanics, first proposed in brief form by Hugh Everett in 1957, forms the nucleus around which this book has developed. In his interpretation, Dr. Everett denies the existence of a separate classical realm and asserts the propriety of considering a state vector for the whole universe. Because this state vector never collapses, reality as a whole is rigorously deterministic. This reality, which is described jointly by the dynamical variables and the state vector, is not the reality customarily perceived; rather, it is a reality composed of many worlds. By virtue of the temporal development of the dynamical variables, the state vector decomposes naturally into orthogonal vectors, reflecting a continual splitting of the universe into a multitude of mutually unobservable but equally real worlds, in each of which every good measurement has yielded a definite result, and in most of which the familiar statistical quantum laws hold.

The volume contains Dr. Everett's short paper from 1957, "'Relative State' Formulation of Quantum Mechanics," and a far longer exposition of his interpretation, entitled "The Theory of the Universal Wave Function," never before published. In addition, other papers by Wheeler, DeWitt, Graham, and Cooper and Van Vechten provide further discussion of the same theme. Together, they constitute virtually the entire world output of scholarly commentary on the Everett interpretation.

Originally published in 1973.

The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Reviews

Peebles applies quantum theory, often in a simple, approximate way, to a variety of interesting problems.... Could prove quite a rewarding book for the more able and motivated student.

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Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	v
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
The Theory of the Universal Wave Function Hugh Everett Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
"Relative State" Formulation of Quantum Mechanics Hugh Everett Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	141
Assessment of Everett's "Relative State" Formulation of Quantum Theory John A. Wheeler Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	151
Quantum Mechanics and Reality Bryce S. DeWitt Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	155
The Many-Universes Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Bryce S. DeWitt Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	167
On the Interpretation of Measurement within the Quantum Theory Leon N. Cooper and Deborah van Vechten Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	219
The Measurement of Relatives Frequency Neill Graham Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	229
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	253