Ask AI: What is the pilot wave theory in the context of quantum mechanics?

Pilot wave theory, also known as de Broglie-Bohm theory or Bohmian mechanics, is an interpretation of quantum mechanics that provides an alternative to the standard Copenhagen interpretation. In the standard Copenhagen interpretation, particles don't have definite locations until they are observed. Rather, they exist in a superposition of states, which collapses into a definite state once observed. This interpretation introduces a randomness to quantum mechanics that is deeply unsatisfying to some physicists. The pilot wave theory, on the other hand, asserts that particles do have definite positions at all times. However, these particles are guided by a "pilot wave" that evolves according to the Schrödinger equation. In this interpretation, the wave function is not just a mathematical tool, but a real physical field. The behavior of particles is still fundamentally quantum mechanical, meaning it can exhibit effects like wave-particle duality and quantum entanglement, but there is no wave function collapse - instead, the wave function guides particles along their paths. It's important to note that while pilot wave theory provides a possible way to explain the strange behavior of quantum particles, it doesn't make different experimental predictions from the Copenhagen interpretation, so choosing between them is currently a matter of philosophical preference rather than empirical science. The theory also presents its own set of complexities, such as the need for a preferred 'rest' frame, which runs counter to the principles of relativity.