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Quantum Physics

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Thu, 2011-01-27 19:26

root

Quantum Physics

root@Quantum Physics [hr] One of the problems plaguing science-fiction writers is that there is too damn much science out there, and some of it is really hard. I've tried several times to read up on quantum physics, but abstract physics has this tendency to explain things using metaphors that are incorrect in every particular, but are as good as can be manged. Mathematical equations are frequently the simplest, cleanest method of expressing these ideas, but the realms of mathematics at the root of these equations are remarkably divorced from the mathematics generally taught. For instance, the view of mathematics that most people have is that there is arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Sometimes those maths will have adjectives attached, like differential calculus, but the sheer breadth of mathematics is something that simply does not ever appear in most peoples lives. "Quantum!" has become the new handwave tech in much of sci-fi, replacing "Nanotech!", "Biotech!", and "Lasers!" before it, and I can't help but worry that anything I write involving quantum physics will be as wrong as the use of lasers in the original Tron. How do I learn enough quantum physics to not embarrass myself? I am quite good at imagining things in 3 dimensions or higher, but I am very bad at getting equations and graphs matched up in my head. Does anyone happen to have any idea where I can find a graphical introduction to quantum physics? Failing that, what are the mathematical prerequisites for understanding quantum stuff? And in all likelihood, what are the mathematical prerequisites for understanding the mathematical prerequisites to quantum stuff? If anyone knows about quantum computing, I would love to know how the information theoretical model for a quantum computer differs from other computing systems such as our transistor-based calculating machines or the meat computers we walk around in.

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Thu, 2011-01-27 20:05

Arenamontanus Arenamontanus's picture

Re: Quantum Physics

I struggled a lot with understanding quantum mechanics until I finally found a book that explained it as pure math, without trying to cloak it in analogies and "normal" concepts, just a bunch of axioms and rules to follow. Suddenly it made sense, and the only strange thing was that reality seems to insist it works that way. Visual Quantum Mechanics by B. Thaller might appeal to you. http://vqm.uni-graz.at/ For making technobabble, it might be worth looking up some other terms than quantum. I strongly recommend browsing the titles of papers in http://arxiv.org/ (especially the math section) for plenty of good terms. "Hmm, the only way to explain the TITAN device would be a massless nonminimally coupled scalar field... that would explain the CP nonconservation in the leptonic sector. AI, run a worm algorithm in phi^4 theory at finite quartic coupling!" "Sir, do you want flag tetrahedra?" "Yes, bring in Goncharov and the rest! We have no time to lose!"

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Thu, 2011-01-27 22:37

root

Re: Quantum Physics

root@Quantum Physics [hr]

Arenamontanus wrote:
http://arxiv.org/

I need more brains: this one isn't big enough. The visual quantum mechanics is exactly what I was looking for, which came with the depressing realization that I have less background knowledge than I thought I did. I watch all of the colors move under the various envelopes in the movies section, and after a bit I have to conclude that I don't understand complex space. Or at least, not well enough to have an intuition as to why it behaves like it does, let alone well enough to make inferences on. It's almost as if it were...complicated. I shouldn't do that, no one likes math jokes.

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Fri, 2011-01-28 02:39

Lord High Munchkin Lord High Munchkin's picture

Re: Quantum Physics

Eeek, I suffer from Dyscalculia... I'm stuffed!!!

Fri, 2011-01-28 06:52

Arenamontanus Arenamontanus's picture

Re: Quantum Physics

root wrote:
root@Quantum Physics [hr]
Arenamontanus wrote:
http://arxiv.org/
I need more brains: this one isn't big enough.

Shows that it at least works. Anybody who thinks they know enough is clearly crazy or lazy.

Quote:
The visual quantum mechanics is exactly what I was looking for, which came with the depressing realization that I have less background knowledge than I thought I did. I watch all of the colors move under the various envelopes in the movies section, and after a bit I have to conclude that I don't understand complex space. Or at least, not well enough to have an intuition as to why it behaves like it does, let alone well enough to make inferences on. It's almost as if it were...complicated. I shouldn't do that, no one likes math jokes.

Life is complex: it has both real and imaginary components. A lot of math is just something you get used to. Eventually it starts to make sense, or you get numbed to think you understand it. For EP, remember that most characters do not understand each other's specialities, so when the physicist gets excited about something the others get just as confused as when the military guy starts rattling off weapons specs or the psychosurgeon goes into full frontal cortex mode. Sometimes it is best to just say: "Your proxy explains it with a big chunk of premium science. Anybody with more than 70 in the relevant skill gets it, the rest need to roll a WIL to avoid boredom." My problem is that since I pretend to understand some science, I feel I want to use as plausible technobabble as possible whenever my players are in that situation.

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