RE: Explaining QM to the layperson

[Michael Thomason <thomason@spot.Colorado.EDU>]

C Monroe, et al, "A Schrodinger cat superposition state of an atom."
Science 272, 1131 (1996)

Of course there is no macroscopic (not even mouse size) superposition of
wave functions in this experiment.

This experiment is explained at a physics teacher level by one of the team
members:

www.bldrdoc.gov/timefreq/ion/qucomp/cat.htm

This web page is linked from the Physics 2000 site

www.colorado.edu/physics/Physics2000/

Michael Thomason, Director of Physics Learning Laboratories
University of Colorado, Dept of Physics, Box 390, Boulder CO 80309-0390
MWF 303 -492-7117   TTh 303 492-8313   thomason@aeinstein.colorado.edu
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/

On Thu, 8 May 1997 PPARKER@TWSUVM.UC.TWSU.EDU wrote:

> There was a picture published in Science News, Scientific American, and
> probably others (including the original journal!) within the last year
> or so, showing a single confined atom being simultaneously detected in
> two physically distinct and separated places. If I recall correctly,
> it was touted at the time as a clear illustration of real superposition.
>    With luck, someone may produce a reference! (I forgot.)