Konwersatorium im. J.Pniewskiego i L.Infelda
sala 0.06, ul. Pasteura 5
2023-03-06 (11:00) 
Andrzej Dragan (Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw)
Superluminal extension of special relativity
According to quantum theory spontaneous decays of particles are fundamentally indeterministic, i.e. their exact moments cannot be predicted in advance. The double-slit experiment reveals that microscopical objects behave as if they were moving along multiple paths at once. These peculiar features of reality have intrigued physicists since the early XX century.
I will argue that the fundamental randomness and superpositions present in the heart of quantum theory have a source in a much simpler theory: special relativity extended to superluminal observers. Contrary to common beliefs, including superluminal frames of reference and particles in special relativity is possible in a fully consistent manner and it does not lead to any logical paradoxes. Instead, it disturbs the laws of causality in a way that is already known from the quantum theory. Therefore I will argue that some of the most intriguing aspects of quantum theory can be understood as a direct consequence of relativity.
Pobierz plakat / Download the poster
Pobierz slajdy / Download the slides
Obejrzyj nagranie / Watch the video
I will argue that the fundamental randomness and superpositions present in the heart of quantum theory have a source in a much simpler theory: special relativity extended to superluminal observers. Contrary to common beliefs, including superluminal frames of reference and particles in special relativity is possible in a fully consistent manner and it does not lead to any logical paradoxes. Instead, it disturbs the laws of causality in a way that is already known from the quantum theory. Therefore I will argue that some of the most intriguing aspects of quantum theory can be understood as a direct consequence of relativity.
Pobierz plakat / Download the poster
Pobierz slajdy / Download the slides
Obejrzyj nagranie / Watch the video