Beyond the Quantum: A Quest for the Origin and Hidden Meaning of Quantum Mechanics

— —

Antony Valentini (Academic Visitor, Theoretical Physics, Academic Visitor, Theoretical Physics, Imperial College London)

Beyond the Quantum

A Quest for the Origin and Hidden Meaning of Quantum Mechanics

Antony Valentini (Academic Visitor, Theoretical Physics, Academic Visitor, Theoretical Physics, Imperial College London)

$58.95

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Oxford University Press
25 September 2025

Based on decades of research, this book offers a panoramic rethink of quantum physics, with potentially revolutionary implications for cosmology, quantum gravity, and quantum technology.

Properly understood, 'pilot-wave theory' provides a deeper foundation for quantum mechanics, while also going beyond it. First proposed in the 1920s by French aristocrat and physicist Louis de Broglie, and revived in the 1950s by American physicist David Bohm, the theory posits hidden particle motions we cannot currently see or control. The theory is usually regarded as merely an alternative account of the same physics we already know. In fact, pilot-wave theory implies a wealth of new and radical physics beyond the reach of quantum mechanics.

Pilot-wave theory tells us that quantum physics is a special case of something broader and deeper. In more general 'nonequilibrium' conditions, Einstein's relativity and Heisenberg's uncertainty break down. Superluminal signalling becomes possible, and quantum particles can be clearly seen and controlled. This new physics could have left traces in the early universe, and it might be visible today in radiation from exploding primordial black holes. Harnessing this new physics would have transformative technological implications, in particular for communication, cryptography, and computing.

Drawing intriguing parallels between the present era of quantum physics and past episodes of scientific confusion, this book tells the story of how pilot-wave theory was discovered and abandoned, revived and reconstructed, and how today it can pave the way to a new and radical physics beyond the quantum.

By: Antony Valentini (Academic Visitor Theoretical Physics Academic Visitor Theoretical Physics Imperial College London)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 225mm, Width: 145mm, Spine: 23mm
Weight: 577g
ISBN: 9780198853749
ISBN 10: 0198853742
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 25 September 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Antony Valentini graduated from Cambridge University and obtained his PhD at the International School for Advanced Studies. He has held research positions at the University of Rome La Sapienza, Imperial College London, and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He was Professor of Physics at Clemson University and is an Academic Visitor at Imperial College London. He is co-author of Quantum Theory at the Crossroads (Cambridge University Press, 2009).

Reviews for Beyond the Quantum: A Quest for the Origin and Hidden Meaning of Quantum Mechanics

A fascinating exploration of a beautiful hypothesis about the mysteries of quantum phenomena, by an independent, careful, and courageous thinker * Carlo Rovelli, Aix-Marseille University *