Using a selection of key experiments performed over the past 30 years or so, we present a discussion of the strikingly counter-intuitive phenomena of the quantum world that defy explanation in terms of everyday "common sense" reasoning, and we provide the corresponding quantum mechanical explanations with a very elementary use of associated formalism. Most, but certainly not all, of the experiments we describe are optical experiments involving a very small number of photons (particles of light).
We begin with experiments on the wave-particle duality of electrons, proceed to experiments on the particle nature of light and single photon interference, delayed choice experiments and interaction-free detection, then go on to experiments involving the interference of two photons, quantum entanglement and Bell's Theorem, quantum teleportation, large-scale quantum effects and the divide between the classical and quantum worlds, addressing the question as to whether or not there is such a divide.

1.Physics Fundamentalism 1

2.The Duality of Particles and Waves: The Split Personality of Electrons 10

3.The Duality of Particles and Waves: Photons 47

4.More Fun With Photons: Photon Splitting and its Uses 73

5.Entanglement and Non-Locality: Spooky Actions at a Distance 100

6.Quantum Information, Quantum Cryptography, and Quantum Teleportation 132

7.Schrödinger's Cat and Leggett's SQUID: Quantum Effects on a Large Scale? 149

8.Quantum Philosophy 167

Appendix A: A Quantum Mechanics Timeline 187

Appendix B: Quantum Mechanics Experiments for Undergraduates 193

General Bibliography 195

Index 197

Kimberley Bruno is Vice Principal of Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design, Brooklyn, New York.

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