Schrodinger's Machines: The Quantum Technology Reshaping Everyday Life

Quantum physics is more than a theory of atomic and subatomic particles and processes. It addresses the "nature of reality and the relationship between observer and observed. It represents nothing less than a complete transformation of our world view," heretofore firmly resting upon Newtonian physics.In quantum mechanics, objects can be in more than one place at the same time. A particle can penetrate a barrier without breaking it. Something can be both wave and particle at the same time. Niels Bohr, a giant in early quantum theory, once remarked that anyone who is not shocked by quantum mechanics hasn't understood it.The author describes his book in the preface, thus: "A quantum technology is a technology, which manipulates quantum probability amplitudes directly. This is now happening and some of the resulting technologies are described in this book." Chapter heading include Quantum Roulette, Atomic Calligraphy, Quantum Nano Circuits, and The Quantum Computer, each describes, as promised, the related quantum technology.This book is not an introductory overview of quantum mechanics, and it omits the basic definitions and explanations that a reader new to the subject needs, in order to grasp the intellectual underpinnings of the book. It may be difficult for some. Therefore, students with the word "...Studies" in the description of their majors are excused. As the author states, Schrodinger's Machines deals with quantum technologies; it is not an explanation or a history of quantum mechanics. There are only two references in the index to Schrodinger's equations, and nothing at all about the man.For the record, Erwin Schrodinger worked out the mathematics of quantum mechanics in 1925.The book explains that in the world most people are familiar with -- the world of Newtonian physics -- there are no scientific doubts about where something is, and what momentum it has. These two quantities can be measured with precision.However, in the world of quantum mechanics an idea such as precisely measuring things breaks down. There is an "uncertainty" associated with measurements, because whenever a measurement is made the system involved must be disturbed. This "uncertainty" leads to some strange things, even an inability to predict the location of a particle under study with 100% accuracy. There will always be a small probability that the particle will be some place else; that it can appear in places it has no right to be in, from the point of view of classical Newtonian physics.Some people may conclude that this behavior of the physical universe sustains the views of literary deconstruction and New Age philosophy, which proclaim the absence of absolutes anywhere. On the other hand, some people may conclude that this behavior of the physical universe sustains Voltaire's observation: "A watch betokens a watchmaker."What do you think?

This reference is suitable for both the general reader as well as the reader interested in topics in modern physics. For the former, this reference is a gentle introduction to quantum theory with concrete examples showing how the theory is used. For the latter, this reference discusses scanning tunnelling microscopes, atomic lithography, quantum nanocircuits such as quantum dots, atom optics, quantum cryptography, quantum computation, as well as other topics. Philosophical considerations about the nature of the quantum aside, it is apparent that quantum theory offers an extremely useful description of the real world.

After having read Feynman's book on QED I have not been able to enjoy any other popular book on Quantum Theory - until I was tempted to read Milburn's book on Quantum Technology. I found "Schrodinger's Machines" to be a clear and direct description of the exsiting ideas on how to apply Quantum Theory in the design of new tools and instruments. This book, I think, is excellent for any student of engineering who wishes to get his hands on electrons and photons. It is not a textbook, but a testament to the creative ideas of a long list of researchers who aspired to examine quantum theory in a technological context. In a sense it complelments Feynman's book by adding the practical angle to the greatest theoretical achievment of our time.