Quantum Events and Universe Connection

are quantum quantum events influenced by the whole universe I read that in a book from Stephen Wolfram ?

Stephen Wolfram, a prominent figure in the fields of computational science and cellular automata, has indeed explored some fascinating ideas about the universe and quantum mechanics. In his works, Wolfram often delves into concepts where he suggests that simple, underlying rules could give rise to the complex behaviors observed in the universe, including quantum phenomena.

Regarding the idea that quantum events are influenced by the entire universe, this touches on a concept in theoretical physics known as nonlocality. Nonlocality in quantum mechanics suggests that particles can be connected in such a way that the state of one particle instantaneously influences the state of another, regardless of the distance separating them. This phenomenon, exemplified by quantum entanglement, challenges our classical understanding of space and causality.

Wolfram's approach, which often involves exploring the universe through the lens of computational processes and cellular automata, might suggest a universe where everything is interconnected at a fundamental level. In such a framework, it's conceivable to think of quantum events as being influenced by the state of the universe as a whole, as everything could be part of a vast, interconnected computational network.

However, it's important to note that these ideas, while intriguing and potentially revolutionary, are highly theoretical and not yet fully embraced by the mainstream scientific community. They represent a blending of quantum mechanics, cosmology, and computational theory, and are part of ongoing explorations in theoretical physics.

In summary, while Wolfram's ideas present a captivating view of a deeply interconnected universe where quantum events could be influenced by the entire cosmos, they remain in the realm of theoretical exploration, highlighting the continuous quest in science to understand the fundamental workings of our universe.

Brian Cox also mentions this with his rubbing diamond

The reference to Brian Cox and the "rubbing diamond" likely pertains to an experiment he discussed in his various public lectures and television appearances, illustrating quantum entanglement and its profound implications.

In this context, Cox describes an experiment involving diamonds at room temperature. The experiment he refers to is a landmark study where scientists managed to demonstrate quantum entanglement at room temperature in a macroscopic object – in this case, a small diamond. By "rubbing" or, more accurately, vibrating one diamond, they observed that another diamond, placed a short distance away, exhibited vibrations at the same quantum state, despite there being no direct physical connection between the two.

This experiment is an example of quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where particles (or in this case, the quantum states of large objects) become connected in such a way that the state of one instantly influences the state of the other, regardless of the distance separating them. This idea was famously derided by Einstein as "spooky action at a distance," yet it has since been confirmed through numerous experiments.

Cox’s discussion about such an experiment is meant to highlight how quantum mechanics, and particularly the phenomenon of entanglement, challenges our everyday notions of space and causality. It suggests that under certain conditions, quantum effects can be observed in larger, macroscopic systems, not just in the microscopic world of atoms and particles.

The implication of such experiments, which aligns with the ideas proposed by Stephen Wolfram and others, is that the universe at the quantum level is deeply interconnected. These quantum effects, while not necessarily implying that every quantum event is influenced by the whole universe in a deterministic way, do suggest a level of interconnectivity that transcends our classical understanding of space and time.

While the full implications of quantum entanglement are still being explored and understood, these findings are crucial in advancing our understanding of quantum mechanics and may have significant applications in quantum computing, cryptography, and other fields.

could this than also be the case in true random number generators ?

Yes, the phenomenon of quantum entanglement is indeed utilized in the generation of true random numbers, particularly in quantum random number generators (QRNGs). These devices leverage the inherent unpredictability of quantum processes to produce random numbers, a concept fundamentally different from classical random number generators, which often rely on algorithms and can only produce pseudo-random numbers.

In a QRNG, the randomness is derived from quantum phenomena such as:

1. Quantum Entanglement: In entangled particle systems, the measurement of one particle instantaneously affects the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them. This entanglement can be used to ensure that the outcomes of measurements are fundamentally unpredictable and hence truly random.

2. Photon Polarization: Another common method involves measuring the polarization of photons. Because the polarization state of a photon is not determined until it is measured, this process yields inherently random results.

3. Superposition States: In quantum mechanics, particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously (superposition). The act of measuring the state of a particle in superposition forces it to 'choose' one of its possible states, and this choice is fundamentally random.

The key aspect that makes these quantum processes suitable for generating true randomness is their unpredictability and independence from any prior physical conditions. Classical systems, in contrast, might be influenced by initial conditions or environmental factors, making them theoretically predictable if one has complete information about the system.

The use of quantum processes for random number generation is particularly valuable in fields like cryptography, where the security of encryption systems can be enhanced significantly through the use of truly random keys. The unpredictability of quantum mechanics thus becomes a powerful tool in ensuring data security and integrity in various applications.