7.

Einsteins Contributions to Early

Quantum Theory

Bohrs theory of atomic

Quantum Theory structure

Einstein was the first to introduce

According to Martin J. Klein,
it was first introduced by
Einstein.
the energy quantization of matter,
expressed by the introduction of
the discreteness in the state-density
of his statistical thermodynamics,
thus constructing the first quantum
theory in 1906
 Einsteins construction of the
quantum theory of radiation
introduced the germ of the so Transition probability
called correspondence inspired Werner
principle. Also, the concept of Heisenberg to construct
transition probability was his matrix mechanics in
introduced in connection with 1925
the concept of resonators
being carried by molecules.

Resonators carried by
molecules may be the origin
of Hendrik A. Kramers
Virtual oscillator model

On the other hand, Einsteins first
quantum theory was connected,
through its application to the
problem of specific heats, with
Nernsts theorem, i.e. the third law
of thermodynamics.
This theory stimulated Erwin
Schrodinger to look seriously into de
Broglies theory of matter waves,
which subsequently led Schrodinger
to construct his wave mechanics in
1926.
The requirement of the
latter theorem, as well
as the avoidance of
Gibbs paradox led
Einstein to construct the
quantum theory of the
ideal gas in 1924-1925,
when he applied to the
ideal gas the same
statistics that Styendra
N. Bose applied to the
thermal radiation.
The most important steps
in the construction of
quantum mechanics were Bohrs attention was
made, not by Bohr, but by concentrated on internal
Einstein. electronic processes in atoms
and molecules, supplemented
by some philosophical
considerations thereupon.
This pecualirity must be
closely related to his early
studies in Britanian at
Thomsons and Rutherfords
laboratories.
 On the other hand, Einsteins
concern spreads so wide from
the physical chemistry to the
space time structure that his He inherited these concerns
aim was to construct a fromreading books and
consistent theory that was articles by Kirchhoff,
substainable from every point of Helmholtz, Hertz, Wien,
view. Boltzmann and Planck
He also frequently discussed
chemical and thermal effects in
the material sciences.

The chemico-termal
tradition
 Even his attempt at the special theory of
relativity seems not unrelated to his aim of
constructing quantum theory.
Moreover, he had in mind up to the end of his
life the hope of constructing his own theory of
the microscopic world from his unified field
theory.

Therefore, even his construction of the

general theory of relativity itself might
have been a step towards constructing
his own microscopic theory, which was
after all his lifelong aim throughout his
scientific career.
8. Postlude : Einsteins Attiude toward
Quantum Mechanics

Heisenberg :
In the course of scientific progress it can happen that a new
range of empirical data can be completely understood only when
enormous effort is made to change ones philosophical
framework and to change the very structure of the thought
process. In the case of quantum mechanics, Einstein was no
longer willing to take this step, or perhaps no longer able to do
so.
 Arthur Fine :
It is Bohr who emerges the conservative, unwilling (or unable?)
to contemplate the overthrow of the system of classical concepts
and defending it by recourse to those very conceptual
necessities and a priori arguments. [. . . ] Whereas, with regard
to the use of classical concepts, Einsteins analytical method kept
him ever open-minded.
In the fifth (1927) and the sixth (1930) Solvay
conferences, Einstein and Bohr exchanged discussions
on their views of quantum mechanics. This discussion
is described in Bohrs memoirs expressing the latters
triumph.
 Einstein in a letter to Lorentz :
If the state function were interpreted as expressing probabilities
for finding properties of an individual system, then the
phenomenon of the collapse of the wave packet would represent
a peculiar action-at-a distance. [. . . ] It represents a peculiar
nonlocalized mechanism, which violates relativity. [. . . ] These
problems are not of the theory itself but of the interpretation
according to which the theory gives a complete statistical
description of individual systems. The alternative is to interpret
the state function as providing information only about the
distribution of an ensemble of systems and not about features of
the individual system themselves.
 Einstein in a letter to Sommerfeld :
On Quantum Mechanics I think that, with respect to
ponderable matter, it contains roughly as much truth as
the theory of light without quanta. It may be a correct
theory of statistical laws, but an inadequate conception of
individual elementary processes.
 During these two conferences, Bohr rebutted
Einsteins argument using the doctrine of
disturbance, starting that certain simultaneous
determinations were not possible because any
one of them would inevitably disturb the
physical situation so as to preclude the other.

Therefore, the purpose of the EPR paper,

i.e. Einsteins paper of 1935 co-authored
with Boris Podolsky and Nathan Rosen,
was neutralize this doctrine of
disturbance.
 On the essence of this paper, Einstein wrote to Schrodinger :
Consider a ball located in one of two boxes. An incomplete
description of this reality might be The probability is one-half
that the ball is in the first box. A complete description would be
The ball is in the first box. Assuming a principle of separation,
i.e. the contents of the second box are independent of what
happens to the first box, and an obvious conservation law for
the number of ball, one can find out by looking in the first box
whether or not the ball is in the second box. If a theory only
allows, in these circumstances, probabilistic assertions, that
theory is incomplete.
 Fine commented on the EPR paper, I think it
is fair to conclude that the EPR paper did
succeed in neutralizing Bohrs doctrine of
disturbance

The standard statistical interpretation using ensemble and hidden

parameters has been confronted by difficulties. In 1964, John Bel
showed that statistical interpretation is actually in numerica
inconsistency with quantum theory when applied to a coupled
system treated in the EPR paper.
According to Fine, however, the
interpretation Einstein
entertained was not the standard A measurement on A, for
one but one described by the example, thus involves a
prism model, in Fines transition to a narrower
terminology. He drew attention to ensemble of systems. The
a footnote in Einsteins 1936 latter (hence also its
article. function) depends upon
the point of view according
to which the reduction of
the ensemble of systems is
carried out.
Starting from this footnote, Fine constructed his prism
model theory representing Einsteins idea. According
to Fine, this model produces the same results as does
the quantum mechanics, and thus does not conflict
with Bells theorem.