Instructor: Samuel Colin, Griffith University
Type: Perimeter Institute non-credit mini-course
Dates: February 22, 24 and 28, 2011; 2:00 pm, Bob Room

The de Broglie-Bohm theory is a deterministic theory of particles in motion which offers a solution to the measurement problem and doesn't rely on notions such as systems and observers for its formulation. It reproduces the predictions of standard quantum mechanics provided that the distribution of particle positions over an ensemble is equal to the standard quantum equilibrium distribution. It also offers the exciting possibility of deviations from standard quantum mechanics if quantum non-equilibrium distributions exist or had existed in the past (Valentini).

This three-lecture mini-course will first provide an introduction to the non-relativistic de Broglie-Bohm theory and the treatment of relativistic wave equations. In lecture 2, the problem of the extension of the de Broglie-Bohm theory to quantum field theory will be considered. Lecture 3 will be devoted to the idea of quantum non-equilibrium and recent work regarding relaxation to quantum equilibrium.