The Quantum Theory of Measurement

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

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2. Introduction

   Pages 1-6

3. Basic Features of Quantum Mechanics

   Pages 7-24

4. The Quantum Theory of Measurement

   Pages 25-90

5. Objectification and Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics

   Pages 91-130

6. Conclusion

   Pages 131-137

7. Back Matter

   Pages 139-182

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The amazing accuracy in verifying quantum effects experimentally has recently renewed interest in quantum mechanical measurement theory. In this book the authors give within the Hilbert space formulation of quantum mechanics a systematic exposition of the quantum theory of measurement. Their approach includes the concepts of unsharp objectification and of nonunitary transformations needed for a unifying description of various detailed investigations. The book addresses advanced students and researchers in physics and philosophy of science. In this second edition Chaps. II-IV have been substantially rewritten. In particular, an insolubility theorem for the objectification problem has been formulated in full generality, which includes unsharp object observables as well as unsharp pointers.

• Hilbert space
• experiment
• mechanics
• philosophy
• philosophy of science
• physics
• quantum mechanics
• quantum theory

• Department of Applied Mathematics, The University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull, UK

  Paul Busch

• Department of Physics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

  Pekka J. Lahti

• Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

  Peter Mittelstaedt

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