Summer Foundations Workshop Potts Point :: Friday 15 December 2006 Registration : Venue : Timetable : Abstracts :  Accommodation : Transport : Enquiries   Registration The workshop is free, but advanced registration is required for catering purposes. To register, simply send an email to centrefortime@gmail.com with the subject line "Please register me for Summer Foundations" (two-click registration here). Further enquiries to John Cusbert. Back to top Venue The conference will be held at historic Tusculum mansion, 3 Manning St, Potts Point. (Manning St can be seen in the centre of this map. Tusculum is the square-shaped property just south of the double-n in "Manning".) Back to top Timetable 9:30-10:30 Quantum mechanics for beginners Guido Bacciagaluppi [A brief introduction to QM and the issue of its interpretation] 10:30-11:30 Quantum mechanics re-interpreted with quantum real numbers John Corbett Coffee 11:50-1:10 On causal loops in local retro-causal models of quantum mechanics Joseph Berkovitz Lunch 2:20-3:20 Probability, arrow of time and decoherence Guido Bacciagaluppi Tea 3:40-4:40 Intrinsic probability Jenann Ismael 4:40-5:40 Probability in the Everett world: Comments on Wallace Huw Price Back to top Abstracts On causal loops in local retro-causal models of quantum mechanics Joseph Berkovitz (Sydney)   Among the most characteristic and puzzling features of quantum phenomena are the correlations between distant events. A famous example is the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) experiment, where particle pairs are emitted from a source in opposite directions and when they are far away from each other they undergo measurements of certain properties. The measurement outcomes are correlated, and these correlations strongly suggest the existence of some type of non-local influences that are very difficult to reconcile with relativity theory. Furthermore, as John Bell demonstrated, granted the assumption that the (probability of) states of the particle pairs at the emission time are independent of the settings of the measurement apparatuses (which may occur later on), any local (‘factorizable’) model of the EPR experiment is empirically inadequate. Time-symmetric interpretations of quantum mechanics aim to explain the EPR correlations in terms of local influences that are compatible with relativity theory. They postulate that states of systems depend on local influences from both the past and the future. In particular, they postulate that the state of the measurement apparatuses influence the state of the particle pairs at an earlier time. Accordingly, in these theories the EPR correlations are due to local retro-causation rather than non-local causation. I argue that in certain circumstances retro-causal models of the EPR experiment involve closed causal loops (where causes are caused by their effects), and discuss the complications that such loops pose for these theories. [back to timetable] Intrinsic probability Jenann Ismael (Sydney) I'll argue that a form of probability more fundamental than chance is a part of the objective content of any applicable physics, deterministic or not. [back to timetable] Probability, arrow of time and decoherence Guido Bacciagaluppi (Sydney) This paper relates both to the metaphysics of probability and to the physics of time asymmetry. Using the formalism of decoherent histories, it investigates whether intuitions about time directedness that are often associated with probability can be justified in the context of no-collapse approaches to quantum mechanics. At the same time it criticises the standard approach to time symmetry in the decoherent histories literature. [back to timetable] Quantum mechanics re-interpreted with quantum real numbers John Corbett (Macquarie) Physical systems have two structures: that of the physical qualities of the system and that of the laws that govern the relations between the physical qualities. The general characteristic of physical qualities is quantity, which is expressed in numbers. The laws are normally expressed as equations which involve the numerical values of the qualities. The question of what real numbers should be used has rarely been raised, but now thanks to mathematical developments in the 1970s there is a general category of real numbers that plays a role for quantities analogous to that Riemannian geometry plays for metric geometry. In this paper, we postulate that each quantum system possesses qualities which at all times have values given by quantum real numbers. Then measurement is a process in which a standard real number is obtained as an approximation to a quantum real number.  For Galilean relativistic systems, quantum particles, with m>0 and spin 0, have quantum real number trajectories given by  solutions of Hamilton's equations in quantum real numbers. I will discuss the double slit experiment for massive particles using quantum real numbers. [back to timetable] Probability in the Everett world: Comments on Wallace Huw Price (Sydney) It is often objected that the Everett interpretation of QM cannot make adequate sense of quantum probabilities, in one or both of two senses: either it cannot make sense of probability at all, or cannot explain why probability should be governed by the Born rule. David Deutsch has attempted to meet these objections. He argues not only that rational decision under uncertainty makes sense in the Everett world, but also that under reasonable assumptions, the credences of a rational agent in an Everett world should be constrained by the Born rule. David Wallace has recently developed and defended Deutsch's proposal, and greatly clarified its conceptual basis. In this note I outline some concerns about a central step in the Deutsch argument, as presented by Wallace. [back to timetable] [back to top] Accommodation There is  plenty of accommodation in Potts Point and Kings Cross, within walking distance of the conference. Listed below are some options. For those on a very tight budget, there are also numerous backpacker's hostels on Victoria Street. Challis Lodge 21 Challis Avenue Potts Point $55 per night for a single room (shared bathroom) $65 per night for a double/twin (shared bathroom) $70 per night for a single room (ensuite) $75 per night for a double/twin (ensuite) Stay seven nights for the price of five!  Phone:  +61 2 9358 5422 Fax: +61 2 8356 9047 Email: challis@budgethotelssydney.com Web: www.budgethotelssydney.com Holiday Lodge Hotel 55 Macleay St Potts Point   $55-$100 per night for a single room $60-$120 per night for a double room $120-$140 per night for a family room   Phone:  +61 2 935 63955 Fax: +61 2 9356 3485 Web: www.holidaylodgehotel.com.au Victoria Court Hotel 122 Victoria St Potts Point Rates on enquiry   Phone:  +61 2 9357 3200 Fax: +61 2 9357 7606 Web: http://www.victoriacourt.com.au Back to top Transport The best way to get around downtown Sydney is on foot or via public transport. The conference venue and the accommodation listed on this site are all within a 5-10 minute walk from Kings Cross railway station. From the Airport You can catch a train from the Airport to Kings Cross station, though you will need to change trains at Central station. The train fare from the Airport is $10. A taxi from the Airport to Potts Point costs about $28. There are also regular shuttle buses from the airport to accomodation in Potts Point. "Kingsford Smith Airport Bus Service" runs one such service, which costs around $8 per person and departs from outside the arrival hall every half hour. There is no need to make a booking. Parking Streetside parking is very limited in this area. Listed below are some commercial parking lots within 5-10 minutes walk from the conference venue. Parking charges are around $13 per day.   Kings Cross Car Park Pty Ltd Ward Ave Kings Cross NSW 2011 ph: (02) 9358 5000   Bayswater Parking Station 33 Bayswater Rd Kings Cross NSW 2011 ph: (02) 9357 7343   Enacon Parking Cathedral St Woolloomooloo NSW 2011 ph: (02) 9380 8850 [back to top] Enquiries Enquiries to John Cusbert. [back to top]   Last updated: 13.12.06.