Schrödinger's cat in simple words. The essence of the experiment

There was a kind of “secondary” quality. He himself rarely engaged in certain scientific problem. His favorite genre of work was response to someone else's scientific research, development of this work, or criticism of it. Despite the fact that Schrödinger himself was an individualist by nature, he always needed someone else’s thought, support for further work. Despite this peculiar approach, Schrödinger managed to make many discoveries.

Biographical information

Schrödinger's theory is now known not only to students of physics and mathematics departments. It will be of interest to anyone who is interested in popular science. This theory was created by the famous physicist E. Schrödinger, who went down in history as one of the creators quantum mechanics. The scientist was born on August 12, 1887 in the family of the owner of an oilcloth factory. The future scientist, famous throughout the world for his riddle, was fond of botany and drawing as a child. His first mentor was his father. In 1906, Schrödinger began his studies at the University of Vienna, during which he began to admire physics. When the First came world war, the scientist went to serve as an artilleryman. IN free time studied the theories of Albert Einstein.

By the beginning of 1927, a dramatic situation had developed in science. E. Schrödinger believed that the basis of the theory of quantum processes should be the idea of ​​wave continuity. Heisenberg, on the contrary, believed that the foundation for this field of knowledge should be the concept of discreteness of waves, as well as the idea of ​​quantum leaps. Niels Bohr did not accept either position.

Advances in science

Schrödinger received the Nobel Prize for his creation of the concept of wave mechanics in 1933. However, brought up in the traditions of classical physics, the scientist could not think in other categories and did not consider quantum mechanics a full-fledged branch of knowledge. He could not be satisfied with the dual behavior of particles, and he tried to reduce it exclusively to wave behavior. In his discussion with N. Bohr, Schrödinger put it this way: “If we plan to preserve these quantum leaps in science, then I generally regret that I connected my life with atomic physics.”

Further work of the researcher

Moreover, Schrödinger was not only one of the creators of modern quantum mechanics. It was he who was the scientist who introduced the term “objectivity of description” into scientific use. This is an opportunity scientific theories describe reality without the participation of an observer. His further research were devoted to the theory of relativity, thermodynamic processes, nonlinear Born electrodynamics. Scientists have also made several attempts to create a unified field theory. In addition, E. Schrödinger spoke six languages.

The most famous riddle

Schrödinger's theory, in which that same cat appears, grew out of the scientist's criticism of quantum theory. One of its main postulates states that while the system is not being observed, it is in a state of superposition. Namely, in two or more states that exclude each other’s existence. The state of superposition in science has the following definition: this is the ability of a quantum, which can also be an electron, photon, or, for example, the nucleus of an atom, to simultaneously be in two states or even at two points in space at a moment when no one is observing it.

Objects in different worlds

It is very difficult for an ordinary person to understand such a definition. After all, every object material world can be either at one point in space or at another. This phenomenon can be illustrated as follows. The observer takes two boxes and puts a tennis ball in one of them. It will be clear that it is in one box and not in the other. But if you put an electron in one of the containers, then the following statement will be true: this particle is simultaneously in two boxes, no matter how paradoxical it may seem. In the same way, an electron in an atom is not located at a strictly defined point at one time or another. It rotates around the core, located at all points of the orbit simultaneously. In science, this phenomenon is called an “electron cloud.”

What did the scientist want to prove?

Thus, the behavior of small and large objects is implemented according to completely different rules. In the quantum world there are some laws, and in the macroworld - completely different ones. However, there is no concept that would explain the transition from the world material items, familiar to people, to the microcosm. Schrödinger's theory was created in order to demonstrate the inadequacy of research in the field of physics. The scientist wanted to show that there is a science whose goal is to describe small objects, and there is a field of knowledge that studies ordinary objects. Largely thanks to the work of the scientist, physics was divided into two areas: quantum and classical.

Schrödinger's theory: description

The scientist described his famous thought experiment in 1935. In carrying it out, Schrödinger relied on the principle of superposition. Schrödinger emphasized that as long as we do not observe the photon, it can be either a particle or a wave; both red and green; both round and square. This principle of uncertainty, which directly follows from the concept of quantum dualism, was used by Schrödinger in his famous riddle about the cat. The meaning of the experiment in brief is as follows:

  • A cat is placed in a closed box, as well as a container containing hydrocyanic acid and a radioactive substance.
  • The nucleus can disintegrate within an hour. The probability of this is 50%.
  • If an atomic nucleus decays, it will be recorded by a Geiger counter. The mechanism will work, and the box of poison will be broken. The cat will die.
  • If decay does not occur, then Schrödinger's cat will be alive.

According to this theory, until the cat is observed, it is simultaneously in two states (dead and alive), just like the nucleus of an atom (decayed or not decayed). Of course, this is only possible according to the laws of the quantum world. In the macrocosm, a cat cannot be both alive and dead at the same time.

The Observer's Paradox

To understand the essence of Schrödinger's theory, it is also necessary to understand the observer's paradox. Its meaning is that objects of the microworld can be in two states simultaneously only when they are not observed. For example, the so-called “Experiment with 2 slits and an observer” is known in science. The scientists directed a beam of electrons onto an opaque plate in which two vertical slits were made. On the screen behind the plate, the electrons painted a wave pattern. In other words, they left black and white stripes. When the researchers wanted to observe how electrons flew through the slits, the particles displayed only two vertical stripes on the screen. They behaved like particles, not like waves.

Copenhagen explanation

The modern explanation of Schrödinger's theory is called the Copenhagen one. Based on the observer's paradox, it sounds like this: as long as no one observes the nucleus of an atom in the system, it is simultaneously in two states - decayed and undecayed. However, the statement that a cat is alive and dead at the same time is extremely erroneous. After all, in the macrocosm the same phenomena are never observed as in the microcosm.

That's why we're talking about not about the “cat-nucleus” system, but about the fact that a Geiger counter and the nucleus of an atom are interconnected. The kernel can choose one state or another at the moment when measurements are made. However, this choice does not take place at the moment when the experimenter opens the box with Schrödinger's cat. In fact, the opening of the box takes place in the macrocosm. In other words, in a system that is very far from the atomic world. Therefore, the nucleus selects its state precisely at the moment when it hits the Geiger counter detector. Thus, Erwin Schrödinger did not describe the system fully enough in his thought experiment.

General conclusions

Thus, it is not entirely correct to connect the macrosystem with the microscopic world. In the macrocosm, quantum laws lose their force. The nucleus of an atom can be in two states simultaneously only in the microcosm. The same cannot be said about the cat, since it is an object of the macrocosm. Therefore, only at first glance does it seem that the cat passes from a superposition to one of the states at the moment the box is opened. In reality, its fate is determined at the moment when the atomic nucleus interacts with the detector. The conclusion can be drawn as follows: the state of the system in Erwin Schrödinger’s riddle has nothing to do with the person. It depends not on the experimenter, but on the detector - the object that “observes” the nucleus.

Continuation of the concept

Schrödinger theory in simple words is described as follows: while the observer is not looking at the system, it can be in two states simultaneously. However, another scientist, Eugene Wigner, went further and decided to bring Schrödinger’s concept to the point of complete absurdity. “Excuse me!” said Wigner, “What if his colleague is standing next to the experimenter watching the cat?” The partner does not know what exactly the experimenter himself saw at the moment when he opened the box with the cat. Schrödinger's cat emerges from superposition. However, not for a fellow observer. Only at the moment when the fate of the cat becomes known to the latter can the animal be finally called alive or dead. In addition, billions of people live on planet Earth. And the final verdict can be made only when the result of the experiment becomes the property of all living beings. Of course, you can tell all people the fate of the cat and Schrödinger’s theory briefly, but this is a very long and labor-intensive process.

The principles of quantum dualism in physics were never refuted by Schrödinger's thought experiment. In a sense, every being can be said to be neither alive nor dead (in superposition) as long as there is at least one person not observing it.

Can a cat be both alive and dead at the same time? How many parallel universes are there? And do they even exist? These are not science fiction questions at all, but very real scientific problems solved by quantum physics.

So let's start with Schrödinger's cat. This is a thought experiment proposed by Erwin Schrödinger to point out the paradox that exists in quantum physics. The essence of the experiment is as follows.

An imaginary cat is simultaneously placed in a closed box, as well as the same imaginary mechanism with a radioactive core and a container of poisonous gas. According to the experiment, if the nucleus disintegrates, it will activate the mechanism: the gas container will open and the cat will die. The probability of nuclear decay is 1 in 2.

The paradox is that, according to quantum mechanics, if the nucleus is not observed, then the cat is in a so-called superposition, in other words, the cat is simultaneously in mutually exclusive states (it is both alive and dead). However, if the observer opens the box, he can verify that the cat is in one specific state: it is either alive or dead. According to Schrödinger, the incompleteness of quantum theory lies in the fact that it does not specify under what conditions a cat ceases to be in superposition and turns out to be either alive or dead.

This paradox is compounded by Wigner's experiment, which adds the category of friends to an already existing thought experiment. According to Wigner, when the experimenter opens the box, he will know whether the cat is alive or dead. For the experimenter, the cat ceases to be in superposition, but for the friend who is behind the door, and who does not yet know about the results of the experiment, the cat is still somewhere “between life and death.” This can be continued with an infinite number of doors and friends, and according to similar logic, the cat will be in superposition until all people in the Universe know what the experimenter saw when he opened the box.

How does quantum physics explain such a paradox? Quantum physics offers a thought experiment quantum suicide and two possible scenarios based on different interpretations of quantum mechanics.

In a thought experiment, a gun is pointed at the participant and either it will fire as a result of the decay of a radioactive atom or it will not. Again, 50 to 50. Thus, the participant in the experiment will either die or not, but for now he is, like Schrödinger’s cat, in superposition.

This situation can be interpreted in different ways from the point of view of quantum mechanics. According to the Copenhagen interpretation, the gun will eventually go off and the participant will die. According to Everett's interpretation, superposition provides for the presence of two parallel universes in which the participant simultaneously exists: in one of them he is alive (the gun did not fire), in the second he is dead (the gun fired). However, if the many-worlds interpretation is correct, then in one of the universes the participant always remains alive, which leads to the idea of ​​​​the existence of "quantum immortality".

As for Schrödinger’s cat and the observer of the experiment, then, according to Everett’s interpretation, he also finds himself and the cat in two Universes at once, that is, in “quantum language”, “entangled” with him.

It sounds like a story from a science fiction novel, however, it is one of many scientific theories that have a place in modern physics.

Surely many have come across this mysterious formulation. And the majority could not fully understand what the essence of the matter was. Schrödinger's Cat is an experiment named after its creator, an Austrian physicist and one of the founders of quantum mechanics. In our material we simply and briefly talk about the meaning of the experiment. What was it for?

Erwin Schrödinger is a famous theoretical physicist. In 1935, he decided to conduct a virtual experiment with a cat. All this to prove that the Copenhagen interpretation of superposition (mixing of two states) is not entirely correct in relation to quantum theory.

What is the essence of the experiment?

Schrödinger mentally places a living cat in a steel chamber along with a hammer, a vial of hydrocyanic acid and a very small amount of radioactive material. If even one atom of radioactive material decays during the test period, the relay mechanism will release the hammer. But he will already turn over the bottle of poisonous gas and make the cat die.

Why does Schrödinger come up with this?

In quantum mechanics, it is believed that if no one and nothing is observing the nucleus, then it is in a mixed, indeterminate state. Both disintegrated and not immediately disintegrated. But when an observer appears, the nucleus finds itself in one of the states. By the way, Schrödinger’s experiment had the goal of finding out at what exact moment “the cat is both dead and alive.” And also when a specific condition is detected. A scientist wants to prove that quantum mechanics is impossible without fine details. And they determine under what conditions the collapse of the wave function (change of state) occurs. They also determine when an object remains in one of the possible states (not in several at once).

Erwin Schrödinger wanted to point out a strange conclusion of quantum theorists. They believed that ordinary person can see the true state of matter unarmed. The Copenhagen interpretation of quantum physics was dominant at the time. She believed that atoms or photons exist in several states at one moment (are in superposition) and do not go into a specific state until they are observed.

Schrödinger's experiment says that an observer cannot know whether an atom of a substance has decayed or not. In addition, the observer does not know whether the bottle broke and whether the cat died. According to the Copenhagen interpretation, the cat will be alive and dead until someone looks into the box. In quantum mechanics, the ability to be alive and dead until it is observed is called quantum uncertainty or the observer's paradox. The logic behind the observer's paradox is that observations can determine outcomes.

Schrödinger agreed that superposition exists. By the way, during his lifetime, scientists were able to prove this by studying interference in light waves. But he wondered when the superposition actually gives way to a certain state. Schrödinger's experiment made people wonder. Is it really possible to determine the outcome of a cat's life by opening the box (look at it)?

But will the cat be alive or dead, even if the box is not opened?

With this paradoxical thought experiment, Schrödinger proved the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum physics wrong. This interpretation may work at the microscopic level. But it has nothing to do with the macroscopic world (the cat is taken as an example of the macroscopic). What scientists knew about the nature of matter at the microscopic level and what people observe at the macroscopic level is not yet fully understood. The role of the observer remains important issue in the study of quantum physics and is an endless source of speculation.

To my shame, I want to admit that I heard this expression, but did not know what it meant or even on what topic it was used. Let me tell you what I read on the Internet about this cat...

« Schrödinger's cat» - this is the name of the famous thought experiment of the famous Austrian theoretical physicist Erwin Schrödinger, who is also a laureate Nobel Prize. With the help of this fictitious experiment, the scientist wanted to show the incompleteness of quantum mechanics in the transition from subatomic systems to macroscopic systems.

The original article by Erwin Schrödinger was published in 1935. Here's the quote:

You can also construct cases in which there is quite a burlesque. Let some cat be locked in a steel chamber along with the following diabolical machine (which should be regardless of the cat's intervention): inside a Geiger counter there is a tiny amount of radioactive substance, so small that only one atom can decay in an hour, but with the same probability may not disintegrate; if this happens, the reading tube is discharged and the relay is activated, releasing the hammer, which breaks the flask with hydrocyanic acid.

If we leave this entire system to itself for an hour, then we can say that the cat will be alive after this time, as long as the atom does not disintegrate. The very first disintegration of the atom would poison the cat. The psi-function of the system as a whole will express this by mixing or smearing a living and a dead cat (pardon the expression) in equal parts. What is typical in such cases is that uncertainty originally limited to the atomic world is transformed into macroscopic uncertainty, which can be eliminated by direct observation. This prevents us from naively accepting the “blur model” as reflecting reality. This in itself does not mean anything unclear or contradictory. There's a difference between a blurry or out-of-focus photo and a photo of clouds or fog.

In other words:

  1. There is a box and a cat. The box contains a mechanism containing a radioactive atomic nucleus and a container of poisonous gas. The experimental parameters were selected so that the probability of nuclear decay in 1 hour is 50%. If the nucleus disintegrates, a container of gas opens and the cat dies. If the nucleus does not decay, the cat remains alive and well.
  2. We close the cat in a box, wait an hour and ask the question: is the cat alive or dead?
  3. Quantum mechanics seems to tell us that the atomic nucleus (and therefore the cat) is in all possible states simultaneously (see quantum superposition). Before we open the box, the cat-nucleus system is in the state “the nucleus has decayed, the cat is dead” with a probability of 50% and in the state “the nucleus has not decayed, the cat is alive” with a probability of 50%. It turns out that the cat sitting in the box is both alive and dead at the same time.
  4. According to the modern Copenhagen interpretation, the cat is alive/dead without any intermediate states. And the choice of the decay state of the nucleus occurs not at the moment of opening the box, but even when the nucleus enters the detector. Because the reduction of the wave function of the “cat-detector-nucleus” system is not associated with the human observer of the box, but is associated with the detector-observer of the nucleus.

According to quantum mechanics, if the nucleus of an atom is not observed, then its state is described by a mixture of two states - a decayed nucleus and an undecayed nucleus, therefore, a cat sitting in a box and personifying the nucleus of an atom is both alive and dead at the same time. If the box is opened, then the experimenter can see only one specific state - “the nucleus has decayed, the cat is dead” or “the nucleus has not decayed, the cat is alive.”

The essence in human language

Schrödinger's experiment showed that, from the point of view of quantum mechanics, the cat is both alive and dead, which cannot be. Therefore, quantum mechanics has significant flaws.

The question is: when does a system cease to exist as a mixture of two states and choose one specific one? The purpose of the experiment is to show that quantum mechanics is incomplete without some rules that indicate under what conditions the wave function collapses and the cat either becomes dead or remains alive but is no longer a mixture of both. Since it is clear that a cat must be either alive or dead (there is no state intermediate between life and death), then this will be similar for atomic nucleus. It must be either decayed or undecayed (Wikipedia).

Another most recent interpretation of Schrödinger's thought experiment is the story of Sheldon Cooper, the hero of the series "Theory big bang" ("Big Bang Theory"), which he delivered for his less educated neighbor Penny. The point of Sheldon's story is that the concept of Schrödinger's cat can be applied to human relationships. In order to understand what is happening between a man and a woman, what kind of relationship is between them: good or bad, you just need to open the box. Until then, the relationship is both good and bad.

Below is a video clip of this Big Bang Theory exchange between Sheldon and Penia.


Schrödinger's illustration is the best example to describe the main paradox of quantum physics: according to its laws, particles such as electrons, photons and even atoms exist in two states at the same time (“alive” and “dead”, if you remember the long-suffering cat). These states are called superpositions.

American physicist Art Hobson from the University of Arkansas (Arkansas State University) proposed his solution to this paradox.

“Measurements in quantum physics are based on the operation of certain macroscopic devices, such as a Geiger counter, with the help of which the quantum state of microscopic systems - atoms, photons and electrons is determined. Quantum theory implies that if you connect a microscopic system (particle) to some macroscopic device that distinguishes two different states of the system, then the device (Geiger counter, for example) will go into a state of quantum entanglement and also find itself in two superpositions at the same time. However, it is impossible to observe this phenomenon directly, which makes it unacceptable,” says the physicist.

Hobson says that in Schrödinger's paradox, the cat plays the role of a macroscopic device, a Geiger counter, connected to a radioactive nucleus to determine the state of decay or "non-decay" of that nucleus. In this case, a living cat will be an indicator of “non-decay”, and a dead cat will be an indicator of decay. But according to quantum theory, the cat, like the nucleus, must exist in two superpositions of life and death.

Instead, the physicist says, the cat's quantum state should be entangled with the state of the atom, meaning they are in a "nonlocal relationship" with each other. That is, if the state of one of the entangled objects suddenly changes to the opposite, then the state of its pair will also change, no matter how far they are from each other. At the same time, Hobson refers to experimental confirmation of this quantum theory.

“The most interesting thing about the theory of quantum entanglement is that the change in state of both particles occurs instantly: no light or electromagnetic signal would have time to transmit information from one system to another. So you can say it's one object divided into two parts by space, no matter how great the distance between them,” explains Hobson.

Schrödinger's cat is no longer alive and dead at the same time. He is dead if the disintegration occurs, and alive if the disintegration never happens.

Let us add that similar solutions to this paradox were proposed by three more groups of scientists over the past thirty years, but they were not taken seriously and remained unnoticed in wide scientific circles. Hobson notes that solving the paradoxes of quantum mechanics, at least theoretically, is absolutely necessary for its deep understanding.

Schrödinger

But just recently THEORISTS EXPLAIN HOW GRAVITY KILLS SCHRODINGER'S CAT, but this is more complicated...

As a rule, physicists explain the phenomenon that superposition is possible in the world of particles, but is impossible with cats or other macro-objects, interference from environment. When a quantum object passes through a field or interacts with random particles, it immediately assumes just one state—as if it had been measured. This is exactly how the superposition is destroyed, as scientists believed.

But even if somehow it became possible to isolate a macro-object in a state of superposition from interactions with other particles and fields, it would still sooner or later take on a single state. At least this is true for processes occurring on the surface of the Earth.

"Somewhere in interstellar space, perhaps the cat would have a chance to maintain quantum coherence, but on Earth or near any planet this is extremely unlikely. And the reason for this is gravity,” explains the lead author of the new study, Igor Pikovski of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Pikovsky and his colleagues from the University of Vienna argue that gravity has a destructive effect on quantum superpositions of macro-objects, and therefore we do not observe similar phenomena in the macrocosm. The basic concept of the new hypothesis, by the way, is briefly outlined in feature film"Interstellar".

Einstein's general theory relativity says that it is extremely massive object will bend space-time near itself. Considering the situation at a smaller level, we can say that for a molecule placed near the surface of the Earth, time will pass somewhat slower than for one located in the orbit of our planet.

Due to the influence of gravity on space-time, a molecule affected by this influence will experience a deviation in its position. And this, in turn, should affect its internal energy - vibrations of particles in a molecule that change over time. If a molecule is introduced into a state of quantum superposition of two locations, then the relationship between position and internal energy would soon force the molecule to “choose” only one of two positions in space.

“In most cases, the phenomenon of decoherence is associated with external influence, but in this case, the internal vibration of the particles interacts with the movement of the molecule itself,” explains Pikovsky.

This effect has not yet been observed, since other sources of decoherence, such as magnetic fields, thermal radiation and the vibrations are usually much stronger, causing the destruction of quantum systems long before gravity does. But experimenters strive to test the hypothesis.

A similar setup could also be used to test the ability of gravity to destroy quantum systems. To do this, it will be necessary to compare vertical and horizontal interferometers: in the first, the superposition should soon disappear due to time dilation at different “heights” of the path, while in the second, the quantum superposition may remain.

In 1935, an ardent opponent of the newly emerging quantum mechanics, Eric Schrödinger, published an article that purported to expose and prove the inconsistency of the new branch of development of physics.

The essence of the article is conducting a thought experiment:

  1. A live cat is placed in a completely sealed box.
  2. A Geiger counter containing one radioactive atom is placed next to the cat.
  3. A flask filled with acid is connected directly to the Geiger counter.
  4. The possible decay of a radioactive atom will activate the Geiger counter, which, in turn, will break the flask and the acid spilled from it will kill the cat.
  5. Will the cat stay alive or die if it stays with such inconvenient neighbors?
  6. One hour is allocated for the experiment.

The answer to this question was intended to prove the inconsistency of quantum theory, which is based on superposition: the law of paradox - all microparticles of our world are always simultaneously in two states, until they begin to be observed.

That is, being in a closed space (quantum theory), our cat, like his unpredictable neighbor - the atom, are simultaneously present in two states:

  1. A living and at the same time dead cat.
  2. A decayed and at the same time not decayed atom.

Which, according to classical physics, is complete absurdity. The simultaneous existence of such mutually exclusive things is impossible.

And this is correct, but only from the point of view of the macrocosm. Whereas in the microworld completely different laws apply, and therefore Schrödinger was mistaken when applying the laws of the macroworld to relations within the microworld. Not understanding that purposeful observation of the ongoing uncertainties of the microworld eliminates the latter.

In other words, if we open a closed system in which a cat is placed along with a radioactive atom, we will see only one of the possible states of the subject.

This was proven by the American physicist from the University of Arkansas, Art Hobson. According to his theory, if you connect a microsystem (radioactive atom) with a macrosystem (Geiger counter), the latter will necessarily become imbued with the state of quantum entanglement of the former and go into superposition. And, since we cannot make a direct observation of this phenomenon, it will become unacceptable for us (as Schrödinger proved).

So, we found out that the atom and the radiation counter are in the same superposition. Then who or what, for this system, can we call a cat? Logically speaking, the cat, in this case, becomes a state indicator radioactive nucleus(simply - an indicator):

  1. The cat is alive, the core has not decayed.
  2. The cat is dead, the core has disintegrated.

However, we must take into account the fact that the cat is also part of a single system, since it is also inside the box. Therefore, according to quantum theory, the cat is in a so-called non-local connection with the atom, i.e. in a confused state, which means in a superposition of the microworld.

It follows from this that if there is a sudden change in one of the objects of the system, the same will happen to another object, no matter how far they are from each other. An instantaneous change in the state of both objects proves that we are dealing with unified system, simply divided by space into two parts.

This means that we can say with confidence that Schrödinger’s cat is immediately either alive, if the atom has not decayed, or dead, if the atom has decayed.

And yet, it was precisely thanks to Schrödinger’s thought experiment that a mathematical device was constructed that describes the superpositions of the microworld. This knowledge has found wide application in cryptography and computer technology.

Finally, I would like to note the inexhaustible love for the mysterious paradox of “Schrodinger’s cat” on the part of all kinds of writers and cinema. That's just some examples:

  1. A magical device called “Schrodinger’s Cat” in Lukyanenko’s novel “The Last Watch”.
  2. In Douglas Adams' detective novel Detective agency Dirk Gently,” there is a lively discussion of the problem of Schrödinger’s cat.
  3. In R. E. Heinlein's novel The Cat Walks Through Walls, main character, a cat, is almost constantly in two states simultaneously.
  4. Lewis Carroll's famous Cheshire cat in the novel "Alice in Wonderland" loves to appear in several places at once.
  5. In the novel Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury raises the issue of Schrödinger's cat, in the form of a living-dead mechanical dog.
  6. In the novel “The Healing Magician,” Christopher Stasheff describes his vision of Schrödinger’s cat in a very original way.

And many other enchanting, completely impossible ideas about such a mysterious thought experiment.