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The Karpinsky Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
John Karpinsky
September 11, 2020
Introduction to some Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics
There are various interpretations of Quantum Mechanics (QM) because it is not something that is intuitive. The rules seem to be in conflict with common sense. We know how to make calculations on the behavior of physical systems using QM, but we have been unable to agree on what is happening “really”. First, to introduce this subject, we need to describe a little of how quantum mechanics works. In quantum mechanics, all objects have wave-like properties (ie. de Broglie waves). For instance, in Young’s double-slit experiment, electrons can be used in the place of light waves. Each electron’s wave-function goes through both slits, and hence has two separate split-beams that contribute to the intensity pattern on a screen. According to standard wave theory, these two contributions give rise to an intensity pattern of bright bands due to constructive interference, interlaced with dark bands due to destructive interference, on a downstream screen. This ability to interfere and diffract is related to coherence (classical or quantum) of the waves produced at both slits. See Appendix A below for an explanation of coherence. The association of an electron with a wave is unique to quantum theory.
