Einstein et la mecanique quantique - Quelques reperes, quelques surprises

Abstract

Even if Einstein brought major contributions as a founder of quantum mechanics, he remained deeply unsatisfied with the bases of this structure he knew to be so efficient for physics. His critics are often known through his numerous controversies wih N. Bohr for a few decades. It has long been suggested that his critics were obsolete and came from an aging man and that it was more a question of philosophy anyway. After J. Bell's contribution however it was claimed that the debate could be closed by an experimental proof, a strange experimental intrusion in philosophy or a strange philosophy. Finally, the experiment being performed, in particular in Orsay with the repeatedly successful experiments of A. Aspect, it was claimed that N. Bohr won. Would the debate be closed? Today and fifty years after his death, it seems that Einstein's critics to quantum mechanics are being regarded differently. Why is it so? Is it due to physics coming back to the debate? It will be attempted to accurately report Einstein's writings on the matter and to find elements of answer to the raised questions.