Physikkolloquium anlässlich des 65. Geburtstages von O. Univ.-Prof. Dr. DDr.h.c. Anton Zeilinger

Die Fakultät für Physik lädt am Donnerstag, 20. Mai 2010 zum Physikkolloquium anlässlich des 65. Geburtstages von O. Univ.-Prof. Dr. DDr.h.c. Anton Zeilinger ein.

Programm:

Begrüßung: O. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Georg Winckler, Rektor

Einleitende Worte: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christoph Dellago, Dekan

Vorträge:

- From Neutron Research to Quantum Information

 emer. O. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Helmut Rauch (Atominstitut, Technische   Universität Wien)

Abstract:
-The TRIGA research reactor of the Austrian Universities was a scientific attraction when Anton Zeilinger started his thesis. New experiments with neutrons become feasible and many young scientists were enthusiastic about these new possibilities. He started a project with polarized neutrons and become interested in the ongoing efforts to understand dynamical diffraction theory and to establish neutron interferometry. The cooperation with Ulrich Bonse in Dortmund and with named scientists around the world and with the newly established Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble made this project attractive to him. His interest in quantum theory and any kind of epistemological questions were strong argument to join the interferometer team. The most brilliant contribution he made was in connection with the 4π-symmetry experiment where he had to convince me and other people of the group that this phenomenon can be verified even with unpolarized neutrons. This gave rise to a highly cited publication in 1975. He suggested and contributed also to many other experiments in this field and intensified his activities when he come in contact with Cliff G.Shull the later Nobel laureate. Their experiments concerning single- and double slit diffraction and high resolution perfect crystal experiments are nowadays mentioned in many textbooks. His later career was certainly strongly influenced by these neutron experiments. It will be shown how this early experience influenced his further career and how his contributions influenced the further development of neutron quantum optics.

  - How Can It Be Like That?

 Distinguished Professor Jeffrey Bub, PhD (Department of Philosophy   and Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of   Maryland, USA)

Abstract:
Richard Feynman (The Character of Physical Law, 1967; p. 129) famously said that nobody understands quantum mechanics: 'Do not keep saying to yourself, if you can possibly avoid it, "But how can it be like that?" because you will get "down the drain," into a blind alley from which nobody has yet escaped. Nobody knows how it can be like that.' What Einstein called a 'spooky action-at-a-distance' in quantum phenomena was the subject of a debate between Bohr and Einstein, who argued that quantum mechanics was incomplete. I review the debate about interpretation as it has evolved from a question about hidden variables to an issue about the role of information in the foundations of physics.

Location: Lise-Meitner-Hörsaal, Fakultät für Physik, 1. Stock, Boltzmanngasse 5/Strudlhofgasse 4, 1090 Wien

Start: 17:00