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Imaginary time
In quantum physics, 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 real space-time in which we live.
Explanation
The relationship between real and imaginary time can be visualized in the form of perpendicular axes of direction.
Past Future
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. |