Was Einstein Wrong on Quantum Physics? (1511.05098v2)

Abstract: Einstein is considered by many as the father of quantum physics in some sense. Yet there is an unshakable view that he was wrong on quantum physics. Although it may be a subject of considerable debate, the core of his allegedly wrong demurral was the insistence on finding an objective reality underlying the manifestly bizarre behavior of quantum objects. The uncanny wave-particle duality of a quantum particle is a prime example. In view of the latest developments, particularly in quantum field theory, objections of Einstein are substantially corroborated. Careful investigation suggests that a travelling quantum particle is a holistic wave packet consisting of an assemblage of irregular disturbances in quantum fields. It acts as a particle because only the totality of all the disturbances in the wave packet yields the energy momentum with the mass of a particle, along with its other conserved quantities such as charge and spin. Thus the wave function representing a particle is not just a fictitious mathematical construct but embodies a reality of nature as asserted by Einstein.

• The paper reinterprets the quantum wave function through QFT, arguing it represents an underlying, objective reality.
• It explains electron behavior as continuous field excitations instead of isolated particles, challenging conventional views.
• The study reconciles Einstein's realism with quantum uncertainty, suggesting quantum entanglement may hint at deeper physical connections.

Reevaluation of Einstein's Perspective on Quantum Reality

The paper "Was Einstein Wrong on Quantum Physics?" by Mani Bhaumik investigates a long-standing question regarding Albert Einstein’s stance on quantum mechanics, specifically his skepticism about the interpretation of quantum mechanics that dismisses any underlying objective reality. The author presents a rigorous argument in support of the view that quantum physics does indeed encompass a form of realism, aligning with some of Einstein's concerns.

Einstein's role as a pivotal figure in the development of quantum mechanics is often overshadowed by his critical view of its probabilistic aspects. His skepticism primarily concerned the lack of realism in quantum mechanics, which he believed ought to provide a distinct objective reality beyond mere observation effects, a view rejected by the Copenhagen interpretation led by Niels Bohr. This interpretation maintains that descriptions of physics are bound to what can be observed.

The fundamental argument of the paper rests on the modern advancements in Quantum Field Theory (QFT). Bhaumik suggests that, contrary to the Copenhagen interpretation, QFT offers an ontologically independent structure that could reflect an objective reality. Quantum mechanics’ wave function, often treated as a mathematical abstraction, is reinterpreted as a quantifiable reality involving quantum fields. Electron behavior, for example, is presented in terms of excitations over a continuous field rather than isolated particles, proposing that these fields represent a primary form of reality, while particles are merely excitations within these fields.

The paper discusses the implications of QFT, emphasizing that these underlying quantum fields are universally Lorentz invariant and accessible across the space-time continuum, marking them as fundamental realities. The idea that these fundamental fields are alive with spontaneous, unpredictable fluctuations reinforces the notion of a predominant wave nature, which was initially implied by Einstein’s wave-particle duality assertion.

A substantial part of the discussion focuses on understanding the uncertain nature of quantum mechanics in terms of these quantum field dynamics. The paper suggests that the apparent contradictions of quantum mechanics, such as the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, are reconciled when viewed through the lens of wave function behavior governed by field interactions and their inherent quantum fluctuations. The intrinsic uncertainty remains, however, it reflects not a deficiency of determinism, but rather a physical characteristic inherent to all wave-like systems.

Quantum entanglement is addressed as a controversial yet essential feature in the exploration of reality in quantum mechanics. Bhaumik acknowledges that while experimental evidence supports non-locality, Einstein’s quest for a deeper understanding of reality beneath quantum entanglement remains viable. Present theoretical investigations, such as the ER=EPR hypothesis, suggest potential frameworks where quantum entanglement may be explained in terms of yet unobserved quantum mechanical wormholes, maintaining the possibility of an underlying reality.

This reexamination posits the reconciliation between Einstein’s insistence on realism and Bohr's doctrine of complementarity. Bhaumik concludes that contemporary QFT has substantiated much of the ontology Einstein envisioned, framing the wave function as more than a tool for probabilistic predictions but rather as a representation of an intrinsic, objective component of our universe's fabric.

The implications of this paper are significant within both theoretical and experimental realms of physics. It suggests a paradigm in which the foundational world-view of quantum mechanics and the acceptance of an objective physical reality coexist. This understanding encourages further exploration into the theoretical limits of QFT and its integration with General Relativity, opening pathways for future breakthroughs in understanding the universe at its most fundamental level.