Collapse of the Wave Function : Models, Ontology, Origin, and Implications

An overview of the collapse theories of quantum mechanics. Written by distinguished physicists and philosophers of physics, it discusses the origin and implications of wave-function collapse, the controversies around collapse models and their ontologies, and new arguments for the reality of wave function collapse.

"This is the first single volume about the collapse theories of quantum mechanics, which is becoming a very active field of research in both physics and philosophy. In standard quantum mechanics, it is postulated that when the wave function of a quantum system is measured, it no longer follows the Schrèodinger equation, but instantaneously and randomly collapses to one of the wave functions that correspond to definite measurement results. However, why and how a definite measurement result appears is unknown. A promising solution to this problem are collapse theories in which the collapse of the wave function is spontaneous and dynamical. Chapters written by distinguished physicists and philosophers of physics discuss the origin and implications of wave-function collapse, the controversies around collapse models and their ontologies, and new arguments for the reality of wave function collapse. This is an invaluable resource for students and researchers interested in the philosophy of physics and foundations of quantum mechanics. Shan Gao is Professor of Philosophy at the Research Center for Philosophy of Science and Technology at Shanxi University. He is the founder and managing editor of the International Journal of Quantum Foundations, and is the authorof several books including the recent monograph The Meaning of the Wave Function: In Search of the Ontology of Quantum Mechanics (Cambridge University Press, 2017). His research focuses on the philosophy of physics and foundations of quantum mechanics. He is also interested in the philosophy of mind and the philosophy of science"--