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SUMMARY:On the roles of complex numbers in the birth of quantum mechanic
 s: Heisenberg vs. Schrödinger
DTSTART:20260618T120000Z
DTEND:20260618T130000Z
DTSTAMP:20260615T022800Z
UID:indico-event-1678417@indico.cern.ch
CONTACT:impress-admin@cern.ch
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ricardo Karam (University of Copenhagen)\n\n See all
  IMPRESS seminars and sign up for our newsletter https://indico.cern.ch/ca
 tegory/15165/\nFrom the big bang to black holes\, from elementary particle
 s and the fundamental interactions that govern our universe to the world's
  largest and most complex scientific instruments\, our knowledge of the wo
 rld builds on modern physics. To make our current-best understanding avail
 able to all\, we need to invest in educational research and bridge the gap
  between those who know science\, those who teach science\, and those who 
 learn science. \n\nThis month\, we will discuss a paper by Ricardo Karam 
 from the University of Copenhagen.\nAbstract: \nThe idea that complex nu
 mbers are essential for quantum mechanics is widespread in the physics co
 mmunity\, although some would argue that it is a matter of calculation c
 onvenience. The issue has received significant attention recently\, but
  what was the role played by complex numbers in the birth of quantum m
 echanics? In this seminar\, this question will be addressed by con
 trasting how complex expressions were present (and justified) in the
  groundbreaking works of Heisenberg (1925) and Schrödinger (1926). In th
 e matrix mechanics side\, it will be shown that Heisenberg used differ
 ent representations of Fourier series\, real and complex\, and that thes
 e choices were bound by a negotiation between mathematical convenience and
  physical interpretation. From the wave mechanics perspective\, it will b
 ecome clear how Schrödinger initially refused to accept a complex wave fu
 nction and assigned physical meaning only to its real component.\nPaper: \
 nKaram\, R. (2020). Schrödinger's original struggles with a complex wave 
 function. American Journal of Physics\, 88(6)\, 433-438. https://doi.org/
 10.1119/10.0000852\n \n\nhttps://indico.cern.ch/event/1678417/\n\nZoom: h
 ttps://cern.zoom.us/j/66764793935?pwd=dEzM7VHuN0lVgbAlmca5iXRjZswqrP.1
URL:https://indico.cern.ch/event/1678417/
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