1.2: The Axioms of Quantum Mechanics
- Page ID
- 92687
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"I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics."
-Richard Feynman
Paradoxically, the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics can be stated very concisely and simply. The challenge lies in understanding and applying these principles, which is the goal of the rest of the book. Here are two basic
- The superposition principle explains how a particle can be superimposed between two states at the same time.
- The measurement principle tells us how measuring a particle changes its state, and how much information we can access from a particle.
- The unitary evolution axoim governs how the state of the quantum system evolves in time.
In keeping with our philosophy, we will introduce the basic axioms gradually, starting with simple finite systems, and simplified basis state measurements, and building our way up to the more general formulations. This should allow the reader a chance to develop some intuition about these topics.