A Century of Quantum Mechanics by Gordon Baym on March 24, 2025

On March 24, Professor Gordon Baym gave a joint seminar hosted by the Department of Physics at the University of Tokyo and RIKEN iTHEMS, held at the Hongo campus of the University of Tokyo. His talk focused on the history of quantum mechanics, tracing its development and highlighting the contributions of key figures such as Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, and Werner Heisenberg. He also discussed the profound impact of quantum mechanics on modern technology, particularly its role in the invention of the transistor and the cellphone. In addition, Professor Baym offered inspiring insights into the importance of phase information and the concept of the quantized photon.
The seminar drew more than 100 attendees, including participants via Zoom, and concluded with a lively and engaging Q&A session.

Reported by Tetsuo Hatsuda