In memoriam: Yves Couder

Abstract: Yves Couder died on 2 April 2019. He showed how to make droplets of oil bounce on an oil surface, spawning a renewed interest in the net forces between oscillating systems. Bouncing droplets are governed by the ordinary equations of Newtonian mechanics, yet experimentally their motion mimics the known equations of special relativity, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. I will show why this is the case, in an idealised system where the pumping acceleration can be neglected. I will then briefly discuss my ongoing research in a related system in superfluid helium, where pumping is superfluous and the predictions may be tested against experiment.

In order to maintain your interest, and to pay respect to Yves, I will give an interpretation of his work which is controversial. If his results had been known 100 years ago, they would probably have changed the debate, from 1905 to 1922, between Einstein and Lorentz on how to interpret the equations of special relativity.

mathematical physicsgeneral physicsquantum physics

Audience: general audience

QM Foundations & Nature of Time seminar

Series comments: Description: Physics foundations discussion seminar

Current access link in th.if.uj.edu.pl/~dudaj/QMFNoT