Quantum Classical

This is the first book on the subject of quantum-classical analogies. Although quantum and classical physics are founded on very different principles, similarities between quantum and classical phenomena are not uncommon. This fact was considered by physicists as a mere curiosity until, quite recently, it became clear that such analogies between quantum and classical physics can be exploited in theoretical as well as experimental work in emerging research areas such as quantum computing, nano-devices or unconventional light forms (localized light, frozen light).

At what level of physical existence does "quantum behavior" begin? How does it develop from classical mechanics? This book addresses these questions and thereby sheds light on fundamental conceptual problems of quantum mechanics. Quantum-Classical Correspondence elucidates the problem by developing a procedure for quantizing stochastic systems (e.g. Brownian systems) described by Fokker-Planck equations.

In the original formulation of quantum mechanics the existence of a precise border between a microscopic world, governed by quantum mechanics, and a macroscopic world, described by classical mechanics was assumed. Modern theoretical and experimental physics has moved that border several times, carefully investigating its definition and making available to observation larger and larger quantum systems.