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Imaginary time
In quantum physics, the imaginary time τ is used to formulate every possible path of a particle. The probabilities of all paths are added together. The result can then be extrapolated back to the spacetime in which we live.
Explanation
The relationship between our ordinary time and imaginary time can be visualized as perpendicular axes.
Im Past Future Re
Imaginary time is not imaginary in the sense that it is unreal or made-up, it is simply expressed in terms of imaginary numbers.
HistoryThe Italien physicist Gian Carlo Wick introduced the notion of imaginary time in 1950. |