Topics in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

量子力学是微观物理学的一种理论，是世纪许多技术进步的基础。 尽管如此，它与宏观世界的界面仍然存在着困惑。在统计力学中，对这种界面的系统研究，有其自身与不可逆性起源有关的难题。 《研究者》认为这些问题相互交织，有一个共同的解决办法，并在最近的一本书《时间的箭头和量子测量》（剑桥大学出版社，1997年）中总结了他以前的出版物。 在这一领域的继续研究将主要包括在书中提出的实验测试锐化。 这个项目的一个令人鼓舞的方面是，所涉及的实验技术与目前正在开发的量子计算和量子密码学（特别是EPR对的一些工作）类似。 其他研究的调查将关注的发展费曼路径积分，特别是其应用拉格朗日理论。最后，在统计力学的合作工作将涉及非平衡系统的抽象研究，以及在沸石和光化学中的其他问题的实际应用。

Quantum mechanics is a theory of microscopic physics that underlies many of the technological advances of the century. Nevertheless, there continue to be puzzles connected with its interface with the macroscopic world. The systematic study of that interface, within statistical mechanics, has puzzles of its own connected to the origins of irreversibility. The Investigator has suggested an intertwining of these problems with a common resolution, and has summarized his previous publications in a recent book, `Time's Arrows and Quantum Measurement` (Cambridge Univ. Press, 1997). Continued research in this area will consist mainly in the sharpening of experimental tests proposed in the book. An encouraging aspect of this project is that the experimental techniques involved are similar to those presently being developed for quantum computing and quantum cryptography (especially some of the EPR pair work). Other research by the Investigator will concern developments in the Feynman path integral, especially its application to Lagrangian-only theories. Finally, collaborative work in statistical mechanics will involve abstract studies on non- equilibrium systems as well as practical applications to zeolites and other problems in photochemistry.