Introduction to Quantum Entanglement and Non-Locality

The phenomenon of quantum entanglement and non-locality has long perplexed physicists and equally fascinated the general public. It challenges our classical understanding of how physical systems interact and communicate over distances. Central to this mystery is the idea of spooky action at a distance, first coined by Einstein. However, modern physics suggests a more intricate picture that revolves around the unification of fields and the behavior of highly cohesive quantum systems.

Unified Field Theory and Quantum Particles

Contrary to the common perception of particles as point-like entities, contemporary physics views a photon, for instance, as a highly unified bundle of electromagnetic field energy. This unification means that a photon is not confined to a specific region of space but is distributed throughout the entire universe. Moreover, when a photon interacts with another object at any point, its structure changes instantaneously, affecting the entire field.

Entanglement and Bi-Photon Behavior

When two particles such as photons become entangled, they form a SINGLE quantum system with two excitations. This system, often referred to as a bi-photon, remains a single entity regardless of the distance separating the particles. Any interaction with one particle will cause the entire bi-photon to change its structure, influencing the second particle's behavior accordingly.

Non-Locality and Decoherence

The essence of non-locality in entangled particles is the instantaneous change in the state of one particle when the other is subjected to an interaction. This phenomenon is not due to a classical exchange of information but rather a fundamental property of quantum systems. The fact that the other particle changes its behavior even when there is no direct interaction leads to the phenomenon of decoherence, where the second particle adjusts its state to be consistent with the measured state of the first.

Further Reading and References

For a more detailed and accessible explanation, one might refer to my book Tales of the Quantum, published by Oxford University Press in 2017. Additionally, there are several critical articles published in notable physics journals, such as the American Journal of Physics, which delve into the mechanics of bi-photons and non-locality.

For those interested in a more technical understanding, there are scholarly articles discussing the behavior of entangled particles and their implications for quantum mechanics. Lastly, the discussion on quantum entanglement includes a realistic analysis of several complex quantum issues, presented in a collection edited by Michael R. Matthews.