Date/Time
Date(s) - 03/03/2009
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Title: The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Paradox and the Nature of Reality

Speaker: Dr. Shohini Ghose, Laurier University

Institute: Wilfrid Laurier University

Location: PC – 155

Description:

In 1935 Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen wrote a seminal paper in which they discussed a thought experiment that led them to question the completeness of the theory of quantum mechanics. The paradox arose from the fact that in quantum mechanics, measurements of one member of a correlated (entangled) pair of objects seem to instantaneously affect the other member, no matter how far away – an effect Einstein called ‘spooky action at a distance’. The EPR paradox led to much scientific and philosophical debate regarding the interpretation of quantum mechanics, causality and the nature of reality. In 1964, Bell devised a practical test for the existence of objective elements of reality that are compatible with the predictions of quantum mechanics. This talk will describe the EPR paradox, the idea of quantum entanglement and experimental tests of Bell’s inequalities. I will also discuss the new interest in entanglement as a resource for quantum computing and communication, and our recent surprising results on entanglement and Bell’s inequalities in multipartite quantum systems.