University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext 32215
Fax: (519) 746-8115
Faculty,
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Dr. Spekkens's research is focused upon identifying the conceptual innovations that distinguish quantum theories from classical theories and investigating their significance for axiomatization, interpretation, and the implementation of various information-theoretic tasks.
>> learn more about Dr. Spekkens's research
Scientific explanation often involves making inferences about what is unobservable from what is observable. An important example is the problem of making inferences about causal mechanisms from observed correlations. In the context of quantum theory, the problem of inferring causal mechanisms is particularly vexing. One of the central results in the foundations of quantum theory, Bell's theorem, can be understood as demonstrating that it is impossible to provide a causal explanation of the correlations that arise for entangled quantum systems without resorting to fine-tuning. Impossible, that is, using the standard framework of causal models. An intrinsically quantum notion of a causal model, however, holds promise for achieving such an explanation. Critically, this notion requires one to replace classical probability theory with a noncommutative generalization thereof. It also has practical applications, allowing one to infer causal relationships from observed correlations in scenarios where classically one could not. To be precise: correlation does not imply causation in a classical world, but in a quantum world, sometimes it does.
All are welcome to attend!
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The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.