On this day 100 years ago physics laureate Werner Heisenberg submitted a paper that revolutionised quantum mechanics.
Heisenberg was only 23 years old when he submitted the paper "Quantum mechanical reinterpretation of kinematic and mechanical relations". For this theory and the… pic.twitter.com/jPMdQaJjGz
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) July 29, 2025
A commemorative survey of 1,101 quantum physicists has revealed a lack of consensus on how to interpret the strangeness of the quantum world, even 100 years after a pivotal moment in the field’s history. In July 1925, physicist Werner Heisenberg wrote a letter to colleague Wolfgang Pauli, expressing his increasingly radical views on mechanics. This laid the foundation for a more empirically verifiable version of quantum mechanics.
Mark Saffman reviews the remarkable recent progress on quantum computing with neutral atoms.https://t.co/QCRPugOn2Q
— John Preskill (@preskill) July 29, 2025
The survey, conducted to mark the 100th anniversary of this milestone, shows that physicists rarely agree on interpretations of quantum mechanics. However, they do converge on two points: an intuitive, physical interpretation of math in quantum mechanics is valuable (86%), and quantum theory will eventually be replaced by a more complete theory (75%). The survey had a 7% response rate, with 1,101 out of 15,582 contacted physicists participating.
Over 100 respondents provided additional written answers.
Chris Monroe recalls how fundamental research on atomic clocks led to quantum computing technologies. https://t.co/3duwuGmXOe
— John Preskill (@preskill) July 29, 2025
When asked about their favored interpretation of the measurement problem, a long-standing conundrum regarding the uncertainty of quantum states, the Copenhagen interpretation emerged as the frontrunner with 36%. However, more than half of those who chose it were not confident in their answers.
Other interpretations included information-based approaches (17%), many worlds (15%), and the Bohm-de Broglie pilot wave theory (7%).
Louis de Broglie on probabilistic interpretation of the quantum theory ✍️
The current probabilistic interpretation of the quantum theory leads in its general lines to exact conclusions. But since it denies every possibility of a precise image of the development of phenomena in… pic.twitter.com/5ixfe5jaRq
— Physics In History (@PhysInHistory) July 31, 2025
Unresolved quantum theory interpretations persist
Sixteen percent of respondents rejected all options, claimed no interpretations were needed, or offered personal viewpoints.
Physicists who discussed the results had mixed feelings about the lack of consensus. Tim Maudlin, a philosopher of physics at New York University, criticized the survey’s categorization of certain concepts, which he claimed may lead to contradictory answers. “I think the main takeaway from this is that physicists do not think clearly—and have not formed strongly held views—about foundational issues in quantum theory,” said Maudlin.
“It’s just embarrassing that we don’t have a story to tell people about what reality is.”
A theoretical physicist at Johns Hopkins argued that the prevalent view that it “doesn’t matter as long as we can calculate experimental predictions” is fundamentally flawed. The survey underscores the lively and fast-developing nature of quantum science. A lack of explanation or consensus isn’t necessarily bad science—it’s just future science.
Despite the complexity, quantum mechanics remains one of the most experimentally verified theories in the history of science. Almost half of the participants agreed that physics departments should give more attention to quantum foundations. Meanwhile, 58% believe that experimental results will help determine which theory will eventually prevail.
The full report on the survey, including its methodology and anonymized responses, is available for further reading.
