Quantum mechanics can be formulated with real numbers only, physicists show

Physicists from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have shown that quantum mechanics does not necessarily require imaginary numbers — real numbers are sufficient. The findings, published in Physical Review Letters, challenge a long-held assumption about the mathematical foundations of quantum theory. The American Physical Society highlighted the work in its Physics Magazine.

More on this topic

💡 Did You Know Stephen Wolfram: objective reality exists only because others observe it too Big Think · 10d ago 💡 Did You Know Einstein was wrong about several things – here are his biggest mistakes Live Science · 12d ago 💡 Did You Know Physicists build working quantum mechanics using only real numbers — no complex numbers needed Live Science · 15d ago 🔬 Science Gauge theory rewrites thermodynamics maths after 200 years New Scientist · 15d ago 🔬 Science Random Space-Time Wobbles Could Solve How Gravity Interacts with Quantum Mechanics New Scientist · 22d ago 🔬 Science What Happens When You Try to Cut Light in Half? Physicists Investigate ScienceAlert · 10h ago

More on this topic

💡 Did You Know Stephen Wolfram: objective reality exists only because others observe it too Big Think · 10d ago 💡 Did You Know Einstein was wrong about several things – here are his biggest mistakes Live Science · 12d ago 💡 Did You Know Physicists build working quantum mechanics using only real numbers — no complex numbers needed Live Science · 15d ago