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Pollock
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I am trying to understand the essentials of the Bohmian interpretation of quantum mechanics (BI),and my (many) difficulties start with his description of the two slit experiment.As I understand it,Bohm asserts that every quantum particle has associated with it a quantum potential or guiding wave,which I assume to be the same concept as in the original deBroglie pilot wave theory.What I have not been able to find is a clear and concise explanation of the nature and origin of this quantum potential.
In the two slit experiment,BI assumes that the guiding wave always passes through both slits,after which it forms an interference pattern of channels.The particle on the other hand always goes through only one or the other slit,after which it is channelled into those regions of constructive interference by the guiding wave,ultimately producing the recorded interference pattern.
So,I have three questions.
1) What is the nature and origin of the guiding wave/quantum potential ?
Presumably it can't be electromagnetic,as neutral entities such as neutrons,atoms,and even large molecules such as C60fullerene have been shown to exhibit interference effects.
2)What is the nature of the "force" which directs particles into the constructive channels between the slits and the detecting system ?.
There must be such a force because if a stream of particles is directed at the two slits,each particle must individually pass through only one slit,but thereafter all the particles are "pulled across" into channels that result in the observed interference pattern.
3)If every particle in a quantum system always has its accompanying guiding wave,this must presumably emanate in all directions in space (Hilbert space ?) even if the particle is at rest.When particles such as electrons,protons and neutrons combine to form neutral atoms and then molecules,how do the quantum potentials combine ?.
I would like some clear answers to these questions
In the two slit experiment,BI assumes that the guiding wave always passes through both slits,after which it forms an interference pattern of channels.The particle on the other hand always goes through only one or the other slit,after which it is channelled into those regions of constructive interference by the guiding wave,ultimately producing the recorded interference pattern.
So,I have three questions.
1) What is the nature and origin of the guiding wave/quantum potential ?
Presumably it can't be electromagnetic,as neutral entities such as neutrons,atoms,and even large molecules such as C60fullerene have been shown to exhibit interference effects.
2)What is the nature of the "force" which directs particles into the constructive channels between the slits and the detecting system ?.
There must be such a force because if a stream of particles is directed at the two slits,each particle must individually pass through only one slit,but thereafter all the particles are "pulled across" into channels that result in the observed interference pattern.
3)If every particle in a quantum system always has its accompanying guiding wave,this must presumably emanate in all directions in space (Hilbert space ?) even if the particle is at rest.When particles such as electrons,protons and neutrons combine to form neutral atoms and then molecules,how do the quantum potentials combine ?.
I would like some clear answers to these questions