Olival Freire Junior Books

This book tells the fascinating story of the people and events behind the turbulent changes in attitudes to quantum theory in the second half of the 20 th century. The huge success of quantum mechanics as a predictive theory has been accompanied, from the very beginning, by doubts and controversy about its foundations and interpretation. This book looks in detail at how research on foundations evolved after WWII, when it was revived, until the mid 1990s, when most of this research merged into the technological promise of quantum information. It is the story of the quantum dissidents, the scientists who brought this subject from the margins of physics into its mainstream. It is also a history of concepts, experiments, and techniques, and of the relationships between physics and the world at large, touching on themes such as the Cold War, McCarthyism, Zhdanovism, and the unrest of the late 1960s.

Focusing on the life of David Bohm, this biography explores his groundbreaking contributions to quantum physics, particularly his insights into quantum nonlocality. Set against the backdrop of the 1950s cultural and political upheaval, Bohm's journey led him to become a prominent figure in the scientific community, ultimately seeking exile due to his beliefs. His life story is intertwined with his quest to unravel the mysteries of quantum theory, making both his personal experiences and scientific ideas compelling and significant.