This is a glossary for the terminology applied in the foundations of quantum mechanics and quantum metaphysics, collectively called quantum philosophy, a subfield of philosophy of physics. Note that this is a highly debated field, hence different researchers may have different definitions on the terms.
Physics
Non-classical properties of quantum mechanics nonseparability See also: entangled Nonlocality Superposition of states See also: Schrödinger's cat
Quantum phenomena decoherence uncertainty principle See also: Einstein and the quantum entanglement See also: Bell's theorem, EPR paradox and CHSH inequality quantum teleportation superselection rule quantum erasure delayed choice experiment Quantum Zeno effect premeasurement ideal measurement
Suggested physical entities hidden variables ensemble
Terms used in the formalism of quantum mechanics Born's rule collapse postulate measurement relative state decoherent histories
Metaphysics objective and subjective ontic and epistemic intrinsic and extrinsic agnostic Philosophical realism determinism causality empiricism rationalism scientific realism psychophysical parallelism
Interpretations of quantum mechanics
List of interpretations:
Bohmian Mechanics de Broglie–Bohm theory consistent histories Copenhagen interpretation conventional interpretation Usually refer to the Copenhagen interpretation. Ensemble Interpretation Everett interpretation See relative-state interpretation. hydrodynamic interpretation Ghirardi–Rimini–Weber theory (GRW theory / GRW effect) many-worlds interpretation many-minds interpretation many-measurements interpretation modal interpretations objective collapse theory orthodox interpretation Usually refer to the Copenhagen interpretation. Penrose interpretation Pilot wave Quantum logic relative-state interpretation relational quantum mechanics stochastic interpretation transactional interpretation
Uncategorized items quantum Darwinism completeness relativistic measurement theory consciousness and observer role quantum correlation quantum indeterminism stochastic collapse pointer state quantum causality postselection entropy quantum cosmology
People
Early researchers (before the 1950s):
Max Born Albert Einstein Niels Bohr J. S. Bell Hugh Everett III David Bohm 1950s–2010s:
Roland Omnès W. H. Zurek Erich Joos Max Tegmark Maximilian Schlosshauer H. D. Zeh David Deutsch Robert B. Griffiths Bernard d'Espagnat Carl von Weizsäcker 2000s or later:
Bob Coecke Robert Spekkens
See also time arrow quantum chaos probability interpretations relative frequency approach probability theory as extended logic, decision theory history of quantum mechanics
Further reading Schlosshauer, Maximilian (2007). Decoherence and the Quantum-to-Classical Transition (1st ed.). Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer. Bibcode:2007dqct.book.....S. d'Espagnat, Bernard (2003). Veiled Reality: An Analysis of Quantum Mechanical Concepts (1st ed.). US: Westview Press. d'Espagnat, Bernard (2006). On Physics and Philosophy (1st ed.). US: Princeton Univ. Press. Greenberger, Daniel; Hentschel, Klaus; Weinert, Friedel, eds. (2009). Compendium of Quantum Physics: Concepts, Experiments, History and Philosophy (1st ed.). Springer. ISBN 978-3-540-70622-9.
External links https://web.archive.org/web/20121004044323/http://users.ox.ac.uk/~mert0130/teaching/qmreading.doc Philosophy of Physics - A guide for the aspiring researcher Quantum Mechanics (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)