Seminars & Colloquia Calendar

Abstract:  Quantum mechanics is, in essence, the theory of wave functions on configuration space. Its modulus squared yields the probability density to detect a configuration of N particles at time t. End of the story.
But wait! Configuration space means (R^3)^N for N particles. But doesn't the theory of relativity teach us that points in 3-space have no universal meaning but are tied to a particular reference frame? Thus, one ought to use *spacetime configurations* instead. That includes many time coordinates, one per particle. This talk is about the theory of wave functions on spacetime configurations, as well as the interesting physical questions and the mathematical challenges associated with that.