Abstract
The reality of atoms can be deduced from the reality of the devices by which the atoms are prepared and registered. A new, most general definition of the concept of “physical object” is given. The objects must not be classical; nevertheless they can be described objectively. Atoms are not such objects.
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References
G. Ludwig,An Axiomatic Basis for Quantum Mechanics, Vol. 2 (Springer, New York, 1985, 1987).
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G. Ludwig,Grundstrukturen einer physikalischen Theorie (Springer, New York, 1978, 2nd improved edition 1989).
G. Ludwig,Deutung des Begriffs “physikalische Theorie“ und axiomatische Grundlegung der Hilbertraumstruktur der Quantenmechanik durch Hauptsätze des Messens (Lecture Notes in Physics, Vol. 4) (Springer, New York, 1970).
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Ludwig, G. Atoms: Are they real or are they objects?. Found Phys 19, 971–983 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01883151
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01883151