An approach to the problem of the 3N dimensions of the wave function from a chemical perspective

J. A. JAIMES ARRIAGA; S. FORTIN

Leuven

Workshop; 2nd Leuven - Buenos Aires workshop on Philosophy of Physics and Chemistry; 2018

Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science (CLPS)

There is a very well-know interpretive problem in the application of quantum mechanics to N-particle systems, represented by 3N-dimension wave functions. Since the empirical world has only three, then those 3N dimensions have to be explained. In this work we will consider quantum mechanics as it is applied in the practice of quantum chemistry, where the orbital approximation introduces a different conceptual treatment of the quantum system. We will show that, with an adequate mathematical formalization of this approximation, it is possible to go beyond the approximation itself and to propose a valid picture of the ontology of quantum chemistry.