Wolfram Schommers - Böcker

Basic Physics of Nanoscience: Traditional Approaches and New Aspects at the Ultimate Level deals with the description of properties at the Nano level and self-organizing quantum processes of Nano systems. The book presents the state of the art as well as theoretical discussions of future developments, beginning with simple Nano systems' sensitivity to small variations in interaction potential compared to bulk cases, and continuing with a discussion of the structure and dynamics of Nano systems as a function of temperature. Additionally, the book analyzes self-organizing quantum processes-which are essential in the design of new Nano systems-in detail, and explores new aspects related to the quantum theoretical nature of time, leading to an expansion of the basic laws through nanotechnology. Finally, the book explores the effect of nanotechnological manipulations of brain functions and the need for the development of reliable models for the matter-mind complex. This innovative approach to understanding Nano systems makes Basic Physics of Nanoscience a vital resource for advanced students and researchers of physics, materials science, and neuroscience.

Discusses nanoscience at the ultimate level where the properties of molecular (atomic) matter emerge Presents classical approaches in nanoscience as well as new aspects such as the quantum-physical nature of time Features an interdisciplinary approach, including physics, behavior research, brain research, the matter-mind-problem, and philosophical implications

In contrast to other publications this work discusses Nanoscience strictly at the ultimate level where the properties of atomic matter emerge. The renowned author presents an interdisciplinary approach leading to the forefront of research of quantum-theoretical aspects of time, selforganizing nanoprocesses, brain functions, the matter-mind problem, behaviour research and philosophical questions.

Schommers introduces the foundations, mostly from a histori- cal point of view. Eberhard gives an introductory account of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox and Bell's celebrated inequalities. D'Espagnat discusses realism andseparability and concludes that contemporary physics does not lead to a definite conception of the world. Eberhard shows how a model consistent with Bell's theorem can be constructed by ad- mitting faster-than-light action at a distance. Schommers discusses the structure ofspace-time and argues that physi- cally real processes do not take place in but are projected on space-time. Selleri discusses the idea that objectively real quantum waves exist and could in principle be detected.

Structural and dynamical properties of surfaces are of considerable importance for the elucidation of surface phenomena. For example, the adsorption of particles and chemical reactions at surfaces are influenced by these properties. Also, the electronic surface states of electronic device materials (e.g., Schottky barrier diodes and metal-insulator-semiconductor devices) depend critically on the structure of the semiconductor surface and the overlayers. As in Structure and Dynamics of Surfaces I, this Topics volume considers the problems at the mircoscopic level. It deals with ordered and disordered as well as harmonic and anharmonic surface effects. Novel experimental techniques and theoretical developments which have been applied successfully during the last decade are integrated. The contributions of this volume also include the background of the subject, typical results, and, in most cases, trends of future developments.

In principle, the elements of space and time cannot be measured. Therefore, the following question arises: How are reality and space-time related to each other? In this book, it is argued on the basis of many facts that reality is not embedded but projected onto space and time. We can never make statements about the actual reality outside (basic reality), but we can “only” form pictures of it. These are pictures of the same reality on different levels. From this point of view, the “hard” objects (matter) and the products of the mind are similar in character.

Information about the reality outside flow via our sense organs into the body, and the brain forms a picture of reality. It is argued that the symbols in the picture have in general no similarity with the objects in the outside world, and many facts support such a view. This conception is discussed in connection with quantum reality. In particular, the role of space and time within quantum theory is also investigated from the historical point of view, highlighting the original ideas. New aspects are covered in connection with the particle concept, particle-wave dualism, locality, the time operator, the superposition principle, and the role of the observer.

How do we get an idea from the physical world? There is basically only one possibility, namely the dialogue with nature, i.e. we create a theoretical conception of the world by thinking, and then we check this conception with the help of measuring instruments. In this connection the following question arises: Does there exist for each element of the theory an element-specific deflection at the measuring instrument? In other words, has each element of the theory a counterpart in the actual reality? If not, then the theory contains metaphysical elements, i.e. elements which have no counterpart in reality. In this book it is argued that there are obviously no theoretical conceptions of the world which are free of metaphysical elements. This is not only valid in connection with matter but also for the conceptions of space and time. The consequences in connection with modern conceptions of the world are outlined.

The book of Erwin Schrödinger about life evokes a variety of basic questions concerning the understanding of life in terms of modern physics rather than biochemistry. Problems of organization and regulation of biological systems cannot be understood by revealing only the chemical processes of the living state. A group of reputable physicists — among them the followers of Heisenberg and Fröhlich — and biologists came to this same conclusion through several workshops on this topic. This book contains their contributions, written from different viewpoints of theoretical physics and modern biology. These articles are valuable not only for understanding life, but also for creating new and non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic tools in medicine; they also contribute importantly to a deeper understanding of evolutionary processes, including the development of consciousness.

With the development of the scanning tunneling microscope, nanoscience became an important discipline. Single atoms could be manipulated in a controlled manner, and it became possible to change matter at its "ultimate" level; it is the level on which the properties of matter emerge. This possibility enables to construct and to produce devices, materials, etc. with very small sizes and completely new properties. That opens up new perspectives for technology and is in particular relevant in connection with nano-engineering.Nanosystems are unimaginably small and very fast. No doubt, this is an important characteristic. But there is another feature, possibly more relevant, in connection with nanoscience and nanotechnology. The essential point here is that we work at the "ultimate level". This is the smallest level at which the properties of our world emerge, at which functional matter can exist. In particular, at this level biological individuality comes into existence. This situation can be expressed in absolute terms: This is not only the strongest material ever made, this is the strongest material it will ever be possible to make (D Ratner and M Ratner, Nanotechnology and Homeland Security). This is a very general statement. All aspects of matter are concerned here. Through the variation of the composition various forms of matter emerge with different items.Nanosystems are usually small, but they offer nevertheless the possibility to vary the structure of atomic (molecular) ensembles, creating a diversity of new material-specific properties. A large variety of experimental possibilities come into play and flexible theoretical tools are needed at the basic level. This is reflected in the different disciplines: In nanoscience and nanotechnology we have various directions: Materials science, functional nanomaterials, nanoparticles, food chemistry, medicine with brain research, quantum and molecular computing, bioinformatics, magnetic nanostructures, nano-optics, nano-electronics, etc.The properties of matter, which are involved within these nanodisciplines, are ultimate in character, i.e., their characteristic properties come into existence at this level. The book is organized in this respect.

With the development of the scanning tunneling microscope, nanoscience became an important discipline. Single atoms could be manipulated in a controlled manner, and it became possible to change matter at its "ultimate" level; it is the level on which the properties of matter emerge. This possibility enables to construct and to produce devices, materials, etc. with very small sizes and completely new properties. That opens up new perspectives for technology and is in particular relevant in connection with nano-engineering.Nanosystems are unimaginably small and very fast. No doubt, this is an important characteristic. But there is another feature, possibly more relevant, in connection with nanoscience and nanotechnology. The essential point here is that we work at the "ultimate level". This is the smallest level at which the properties of our world emerge, at which functional matter can exist. In particular, at this level biological individuality comes into existence. This situation can be expressed in absolute terms: This is not only the strongest material ever made, this is the strongest material it will ever be possible to make (D Ratner and M Ratner, Nanotechnology and Homeland Security). This is a very general statement. All aspects of matter are concerned here. Through the variation of the composition various forms of matter emerge with different items.Nanosystems are usually small, but they offer nevertheless the possibility to vary the structure of atomic (molecular) ensembles, creating a diversity of new material-specific properties. A large variety of experimental possibilities come into play and flexible theoretical tools are needed at the basic level. This is reflected in the different disciplines: In nanoscience and nanotechnology we have various directions: Materials science, functional nanomaterials, nanoparticles, food chemistry, medicine with brain research, quantum and molecular computing, bioinformatics, magnetic nanostructures, nano-optics, nano-electronics, etc.The properties of matter, which are involved within these nanodisciplines, are ultimate in character, i.e., their characteristic properties come into existence at this level. The book is organized in this respect.

With the development of the scanning tunneling microscope, nanoscience became an important discipline. Single atoms could be manipulated in a controlled manner, and it became possible to change matter at its "ultimate" level; it is the level on which the properties of matter emerge. This possibility enables to construct and to produce devices, materials, etc. with very small sizes and completely new properties. That opens up new perspectives for technology and is in particular relevant in connection with nano-engineering.Nanosystems are unimaginably small and very fast. No doubt, this is an important characteristic. But there is another feature, possibly more relevant, in connection with nanoscience and nanotechnology. The essential point here is that we work at the "ultimate level". This is the smallest level at which the properties of our world emerge, at which functional matter can exist. In particular, at this level biological individuality comes into existence. This situation can be expressed in absolute terms: This is not only the strongest material ever made, this is the strongest material it will ever be possible to make (D Ratner and M Ratner, Nanotechnology and Homeland Security). This is a very general statement. All aspects of matter are concerned here. Through the variation of the composition various forms of matter emerge with different items.Nanosystems are usually small, but they offer nevertheless the possibility to vary the structure of atomic (molecular) ensembles, creating a diversity of new material-specific properties. A large variety of experimental possibilities come into play and flexible theoretical tools are needed at the basic level. This is reflected in the different disciplines: In nanoscience and nanotechnology we have various directions: Materials science, functional nanomaterials, nanoparticles, food chemistry, medicine with brain research, quantum and molecular computing, bioinformatics, magnetic nanostructures, nano-optics, nano-electronics, etc.The properties of matter, which are involved within these nanodisciplines, are ultimate in character, i.e., their characteristic properties come into existence at this level. The book is organized in this respect.

Space and time are probably the most important elements in physics. Within the memory of man, all essential things are represented within the frame of space-time pictures. This is obviously the most basic information. What can we say about space and time? It is normally assumed that the space is a container filled with matter and that the time is just that which we measure with our clocks. However, there are some reasons to take another standpoint and to consider this container-conception as unrealistic, as prejudice so to say. Already the philosopher Immanuel Kant pointed on this serious problem.In this monograph, the author discusses the so-called projection theory. In contrast to the container-conception (reality is embedded in space and time), within projection theory the physical reality is projected onto space and time and quantum processes are of particular relevance. Like Whitehead and Bergson, the author argues for the primacy of process.One of the most interesting results is that projection theory automatically leads to a new aspect for the notion “time”. Here we have not only the time of conventional physics, which is exclusively treated as an external parameter, but we obtain within projection theory a system-specific time. Just this system-specific time might be of fundamental importance in the future description of physical systems. For example, the self-assembly of nano-systems could lead to predictions that are even not thinkable within usual physics. Also in connection with cosmology the projection principle must inevitably lead to fundamentally new statements.

We see objects in front of us, and experience a real material effect when we approach and touch them. Thus, we conclude that all objects are embedded in space and exist objectively. However, such experiences in everyday life cannot be transferred to the atomic level: within standard quantum theory, the material world is still embedded in space, but it no longer has an objective existence. How can objects be embedded in space without existing objectively?This book addresses this and similar issues in an illustrative and non-conventional way. Using up-to-date information, the following basic questions are contemplated: What is a particle, a quantum object? What can we say about the nature of time? How is reality, in particular the cosmos, formed? What is the influence of evolution on the discovery of new developments in this field? Like the philosophers Whitehead and Bergson, the primacy of process is advocated: we experience objects — both quantum objects and those we experience in everyday life — at certain positions in space, but everything is a matter of process and the existence of static objects in space is thus eliminated.

There is no doubt that nanoscience will be the dominant direction for technology in this century, and that this science will influence our lives to a large extent as well as open completely new perspectives on all scientific and technological disciplines. To be able to produce optimal nanosystems with tailor-made properties, it is necessary to analyze and construct such systems in advance by adequate theoretical and computational methods. Since we work in nanoscience and nanotechnology at the ultimate level, we have to apply the basic laws of physics. What methods and tools are relevant here? The book gives an answer to this question. The background of the theoretical methods and tools is critically discussed, and also the “world view” on which these physical laws are based.Such a debate is not only of academic interest but is of highly general concern, and this is because we constantly move in nanoscience and nanotechnology between two extreme poles, between “infinite life” and “total destruction”. On the one hand, through nanotechnology aging might be soon a fact of the past; on the other hand, in the nano realm uncontrolled processes could lead to a total destruction of the living conditions on the Earth.

The relationship between mind and reality is usually perceived as an event that takes place in reality and producing simultaneously an internal image in the mind. So it takes place twice, so to speak, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the two events. Within this conception, matter is embedded in space and time, and can be designated as “container-principle”. This monograph emphasizes that the well-known philosopher Immanuel Kant denied this principle and he stated that reality is principally not recognizable to a human being, and modern biological evolution seems to lead exactly to Kant's point of view. Within the theory of evolution, man's image about reality in mind does not have to be complete and true in the sense of a precise reproduction, and it is relatively easy to recognize that even space and time should not be elements of reality outside. Within this conception, only a certain part of reality, which the human being needs for mastering life, is projected onto space and time, and we come to the so-called “projection principle”. Then, spacetime defines the window to reality, leading to a number of exciting and essential questions, some of which are discussed in this monograph.As is known, current physics is mainly based on the container-principle. But this monograph proposes that the projection principle is obviously more suitable and could help to solve open-ended questions as, for example, in connection with the nature of time, the particle-wave duality, the cosmological constant, etc. Regarding the statistical behavior of matter, Einstein's statement “God does not play dice” has to be seen in a new light, but also Feynman's general viewpoint on quantum theory that it cannot be understood by man. However, conventional quantum theory is obviously not a consistent framework as per the projection principle. The term “world equation” is critically probed in this monograph.