Since the advent of quantum theory more than a half century ago its spectacular predictive success has been accompanied by a persistent unease and dissatisfaction with its interpretation. One approach to this question, which has led to conceptual progress while avoiding the pitfall of empty debate, accepts the correctness and completeness of the quantum formalism, and seeks to pose questions which forces it to reveal hitherto unsuspected content. As an example of this approach, one might mention the Aharonov- Bohm potential effect, which has been verified experimentally and has excited theoretical interest well beyond the boundaries of its  original non-relativistic context. It has also served as the starting point for a conceptual reformulation of quantum theory free of vague philosophical overtones. The "new language" which is emerging shows considerable promise of a predictive content of its own.

Professor Aharonov hosts an annual Summer Institute on the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics that attracts a small number of internationally known figures in the field and also involves local faculty and graduate students. The fruits from this activity are  frequently journal publications addressing a range of subjects from the most fundamental questions in quantum mechanics to new  applications of the fundamental principles to fields covering subjects as diverse as condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Measurement of Time of Arrival in Quantum Mechanics
Y. Aharonov , J. Oppenheim, S. Popescu, B. Reznik, and W. G. Unruh,
Phys. Rev. A 57 4130-4139 (1998).

On the Two-State Vector Reformulation of Quantum Mechanics
Y. Aharonov, and L. Vaidman
Phys. Scrip., T76, 85-92 (1998).

Quantum Measurement Back-Reaction and Induced Topological Phases
Y. Aharonov , T. Kaufherr, S. Popescu, and B. Reznik,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 80 2023 (1998).

Quantum Limitations on Superluminal Propagation,
Y. Aharonov, B. Reznik, and A. Stern,
Phys. Rev. Lett., 81 2190 (1998).

On the Locality and Reality of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Correlations,
M. O. Scully, Y. Aharonov, and B.G. Englert,
AIP Proceedings of Quantum Mysteries Conference, Italy 1998.

Protective measurements and Bohm trajectories
Y. Aharonov, M. O. Scully, and B.G. Englert,
Phys. Lett., A 263, 137 (1999).

Meaning of the Density Matrix
Y. Aharonov and J. Anandan
  presented at the International Symposium on UNCERTAIN REALITY, New Delhi,  India, Jan. 5-9, 1998
 quant-ph/9803018

`Weighing'' a Closed System and the Time-Energy Uncertainty Principle,
Y. Aharonov and B. Reznik,
Phys. Rev. Lett.84,1368 (2000)

Nonlocal Aspects of a Quantum Wave
Y. Aharonov, and L. Vaidman
Phys. Rev.A.61,052108 (2000)

Complementarity between Local/Non-Local  Topological Effects
Y. Aharonov and B. Reznik,
Phys. Rev. Lett.84,4790 (2000).