Quantum and Semiclassical Trajectories

Main Focus
Twenty-seven interdisciplinary participants from fteen countries came together to dis-
cuss the core question of how best to reconcile the wave and particle (trajectory) pictures
in quantum mechanics. Over the decades, substantial progress has been made, but from a
broad range of disciplines that often have little interaction with each other.
The aim of this workshop was therefore to bring together researchers from these di-
verse communities|e.g., atomic and molecular physics, chemical dynamics, extremely high
resolution spectroscopy, mathematics, nuclear physics, scientic philosophy, quantum foun-
dations, and relativistic quantum mechanics|to share ideas and expertise, and to foster
exciting new interdisciplinary collaborations.

Key Participants
Prof. Rick Heller (US, Harvard University, National Academy of Sciences)
Prof. Mahir Hussein (University of So Paulo, Brazilian Academy of Sciences)
Dr. Jan-Michael Rost (Director, Finite Systems Group, MPIPKS)

Scientic Newcomers
This focus workshop was highly unusual in that most participants did not know each
other beforehand. However, through carefully coordinated discussion sessions, shared meals,
etc., there were many lively discussions, and much interdisciplinary cross-fertilization. Not
all participants were formal speakers, but all were encouraged to take part in the discussions.
There were a number of faculty who participated in this fashion, i.e. not as formal speakers.
Conversely, several postdocs and assistant faculty members gave formal presentations.

Broader Impacts
In the short term, the most important broader impact was that a meaningful dialog
was established, in an area of common interest, among disciplines that ordinarily have little
to no contact with each other. In the long-term, this may lead to new research areas and
collaborations. Also, many participants shared their enthusiasm for holding more meetings
of this kind in the future.