Quantum Potential - Interpretation and Naming of The Quantum Potential

Interpretation and Naming of The Quantum Potential

In his article of 1952, providing an alternative interpretation of quantum mechancs, Bohm already spoke of a "quantum-mechanical" potential.

Basil and Hiley also called the quantum potential an information potential, given that it influences the form of processes and is itself shaped by the environment. Bohm indicated "The ship or aeroplane (with its automatic Pilot) is a self-active system, i.e. it has its own energy. But the form of its activity is determined by the information content concerning its environment that is carried by the radar waves. This is independent of the intensity of the waves. We can similarly regard the quantum potential as containing active information. It is potentially active everywhere, but actually active only where and when there is a particle." (italics in original).

Hiley refers to the quantum potential as internal energy and as "a new quality of energy only playing a role in quantum processes". He has emphasized that the quantum potential, for Bohm, was "a key element in gaining insights into what could underlie the quantum formalism. Bohm was convinced by his deeper analysis of this aspect of the approach that the theory could not be mechanical. Rather, it is organic in the sense of Whitehead. Namely, that it was the whole that determined the properties of the individual particles and their relationship, not the other way round." (See also: Bohm and Hiley's work on quantum potential and active information)

Peter R. Holland, in his comprehensive textbook, also refers to it as quantum potential energy. The quantum potential is also referred to in association with Bohm's name as Bohm potential, quantum Bohm potential or Bohm quantum potential.