Abstract. Other than scattering problems where perturbation theory is applicable, there are basically two ways to solve problems in physics. One is to reduce the problem to harmonic oscillators, and the other is to formulate the problem in terms of two-by-two matrices. If two oscillators are coupled, the problem combines both two-by-two matrices and harmonic oscillators. This method then becomes a powerful research tool which can be used in many different branches of physics. Indeed, the concept and methodology in one branch of physics can be translated into another through the common mathematical formalism. Coupled oscillators provide clear illustrative examples for some of the current issues in physics, including entanglement and Feynman's rest of the universe. In addition, it is noted that the present form of quantum mechanics is largely a physics of harmonic oscillators. Special relativity is the physics of the Lorentz group which can be represented by the group of two-by-two matrices commonly called SL(2,c). Thus the coupled harmonic oscillator can play the role of combining quantum mechanics with special relativity. It is therefore possible to relate the current issues of physics to the Lorentz-covariant formulation of quantum mechanics.

Keywords: entangled oscillators, space–time entanglement

Print publication: Issue 12 (December 2005)
Received 9 August 2005, accepted for publication 11 October 2005
Published 4 November 2005