Contents
Preface ................................................................................................................................... vii
Introduction: The Return of the Aether ............................................................................ 1
1 Quantum Theory and the Special Theory of
Relativity ............................................... 9
1.1
Compatibility of Nonlocal Correlations with the Principle of Relativity ............ 9
1.1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 9
1.1.2 Consequences from the Principle of
Relativity ......................................... 11
1.1.3 Assuming the Existence of an Aether, Born's
Rule and Nonlocal
Correlations
Follow from the Principle of Relativity .................................. 21
1.2
The de Broglie-Bohm Causal Interpretation of Quantum Theory ..................... 34
1.2.1 Quantum Potential and Guiding Wave ....................................................... 34
1.2.2 Applications: Wave Packets and the
"Particle in the Box" ..................... 39
1.2.3 Many-Body Systems and Relativistic
Formulations ................................ 42
2 Quantum Cybernetics ..................................................................................................... 49
2.1
The Idea ..................................................................................................................... 49
2.1.1 Circular Causality between Waves and
"Particles" .................................. 49
2.1.2 Quantum Systems as Self-Referential,
"Autonomous" Units ................. 57
2.2
The Formalism ........................................................................................................... 61
2.2.1 Against Rash Abstractions .......................................................................... 61
2.2.2 Relativistic Quantum Cybernetics ............................................................... 62
2.2.3
de Broglie's Thermodynamic Arguments ................................................... 69
2.2.4 Feynman's Clocks and Arrows: A Lesson in
Organizational
Coherence ............................................................................. 72
2.2.5 Quantum Feedback and Open Questions .................................................. 80
3 Experiments ...................................................................................................................... 87
3.1
Quantum Postselection Experiments and the Delayed Choice
Quantum
Eraser ........................................................................................................ 87
3.2
Late-Choice Experiments ......................................................................................... 94
3.3
Realistic Solution of the "Relativistic EPR-Dilemma" ....................................... 102
3.4
Superluminal Signaling and "Causal Paradoxes ................................................ 107
4 Gravity as a Pure Quantum Phenomenon:
Mach's Principle
Revisited .......................................................................................... 113
4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 113
4.2 A Generalized Principle of Relativity .................................................................. 114
4.3 Derivation of Einstein's Equations for the
Gravitational Field ....................... 115
4.4 Conclusion: Quantum Cybernetics and Mach's
Principle ............................... 123
5 Implications of Circular Causality at the
Quantum Level ..................................... 129
5.1 The Historical Context .......................................................................................... 129
5.2 Future Perspectives .............................................................................................. 131
Coda:
On the Meaning of Nonlocality .......................................................................... 135
References ......................................................................................................................... 141
Index .................................................................................................................................... 151