Mathematical Theory of Non-Equilibrium Quantum Statistical Mechanics

We review and further develop a mathematical framework for non-equilibrium quantum statistical mechanics recently proposed in refs. 1–7. In the algebraic formalism of quantum statistical mechanics we introduce notions of non-equilibrium steady states, entropy production and heat fluxes, and study their properties. Our basic paradigm is a model of a small (finite) quantum system coupled to several independent thermal reservoirs. We exhibit examples of such systems which have strictly positive entropy production.     

Statistical Interaction Term of One-Dimensional Anyon Models

A form of statistical interaction term of one-dimensional anyons is introduced, based on which one-dimensional anyon models are theoretically realized, and the statistical transmutation between bosons （or fermions） and anyons is established in quantum mechanics formalism. Two kinds of anyon models which are being studied are recovered and reexplained naturally in our formalism.     

Physical uniformities on the state space of nonrelativisitic quantum mechanics

Uniformities describing the distinguishability of states and of observables are discussed in the context of general statistical theories and are shown to be related to distinguished subspaces of continuous observables and states, respectively. The usual formalism of quantum mechanics contains no such physical uniformity for states. Using recently developed tools of quantum harmonic analysis, a natural one-to-one correspondence between continuous subspaces of nonrelativistic quantum and classical mechanics is established, thus exhibiting a close interrelation between physical uniformities for quantum states and compactifications of phase space. General properties of the completions of the quantum state space with respect to these uniformities are discussed.     

Contextuality in Classical Physics and Its Impact on the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

It is shown that the hallmark quantum phenomenon of contextuality is present in classical statistical mechanics (CSM). It is first shown that the occurrence of contextuality is equivalent to there being observables that can differentiate between pure and mixed states. CSM is formulated in the formalism of quantum mechanics (FQM), a formulation commonly known as the Koopman–von Neumann formulation (KvN). In KvN, one can then show that such a differentiation between mixed and pure states is possible. As contextuality is a probabilistic phenomenon and as it is exhibited in both classical physics and ordinary quantum mechanics (OQM), it is concluded that the foundational issues regarding quantum mechanics are really issues regarding the foundations of probability.     

The Schrödinger–Langevin equation with and without thermal fluctuations

The Schrödinger–Langevin equation (SLE) is considered as an effective open quantum system formalism suitable for phenomenological applications involving a quantum subsystem interacting with a thermal bath. We focus on two open issues relative to its solutions: the stationarity of the excited states of the non-interacting subsystem when one considers the dissipation only and the thermal relaxation toward asymptotic distributions with the additional stochastic term. We first show that a proper application of the Madelung/polar transformation of the wave function leads to a non zero damping of the excited states of the quantum subsystem. We then study analytically and numerically the SLE ability to bring a quantum subsystem to the thermal equilibrium of statistical mechanics. To do so, concepts about statistical mixed states and quantum noises are discussed and a detailed analysis is carried with two kinds of noise and potential. We show that within our assumptions the use of the SLE as an effective open quantum system formalism is possible and discuss some of its limitations.     

Zwitters: Particles between quantum and classical

We describe both quantum particles and classical particles in terms of a classical statistical ensemble, with a probability distribution in phase space. By use of a wave function in phase space both can be treated in the same quantum formalism. Quantum particles are characterized by a specific choice of observables and time evolution of the probability density. Then interference and tunneling are found within classical statistics. Zwitters are (effective) one-particle states for which the time evolution interpolates between quantum and classical particles. Experimental bounds on a small parameter can test quantum mechanics.     

About the non vanishing of boundary terms in correlation functions as origin of phase transitions. A microscopic proof of a Goldstone theorem in classical statistical mechanics

We give a general microscopic proof that the well known Goldstone theorem connected with spontaneous symmetry breaking in quantum statistical mechanics and quantum field theory has a counterpart in classical statistical mechanics. Our approach is mainly based on the replacement of commutators by Poisson brackets as infinitesimal generators of symmetries and on the Fourier transformed version of the so called Kubo-Martin-Schwinger property of equilibrium states. Especially we show that the phase transition is related to the non vanishing of certain boundary contributions in Poisson brackets which from the naive point of view should vanish.     

A remark on the Dirac equation

We give a simple deductive derivation of the Dirac equation for a free particle. Our construction provides a clear distinction between what are the physical contents and what are purely mathematical expedients in the formalism of quantum mechanics (QM).     

Statistics of Local Value in Quantum Mechanics

Given a quantum mechanical observable and a state, one can construct a classical observable, that is, a real function on the configuration space, such that it is the optimal estimate of the quantum observable, in the sense of minimum variance. This optimal estimate turns out to be the quantum mechanical local value, which arises from several contexts such as de Broglie–Bohm's casual approach to quantum mechanics, instantaneous frequency in time–frequency analysis, Nelson's quantum fluctuations formalism, and phase-space approach to quantum mechanics. Accordingly, any observable can be decomposed into a local value part and a quantum fluctuation part, which are independent, both geometrically and statistically. Furthermore, the current density in quantum mechanics, the osmotic velocity in stochastic mechanics, and the Fisher information in classical statistical inference, arise naturally in connection with local value. In particular, Heisenberg uncertainty principle can be quantified more precisely by virtue of local value.     

Time-Symmetric Quantization in Spacetimes with Event Horizons

The standard quantization formalism in spacetimes with event horizons implies a non-unitary evolution of quantum states, as initial pure states may evolve into thermal states. This phenomenon is behind the famous black hole information loss paradox which provoked long-standing debates on the compatibility of quantum mechanics and gravity. In this paper we demonstrate that within an alternative time-symmetric quantization formalism thermal radiation is absent and states evolve unitarily in spacetimes with event horizons. We also discuss the theoretical consistency of the proposed formalism. We explicitly demonstrate that the theory preserves the microcausality condition and suggest a “reinterpretation postulate” to resolve other apparent pathologies associated with negative energy states. Accordingly as there is a consistent alternative, we argue that choosing to use time-asymmetric quantization is a necessary condition for the black hole information loss paradox.     

Statistical basis for physical laws; non-relativistic theory

We extend the constructions of previous papers, showing the equivalence of quantum mechanics and a classical probability formalism with constraints assuring differentiable probability densities without contradictions, to show that these constructions also yield Maxwell's equations and the Lorentz force. These constructions have already yielded Schroedinger's equation for a charged particle in an electromagnetic field, but here it is shown that this statistical construction provides the basis for gauge conditions and defines a specific gauge for this non-relativistic formalism. These constructions also provide new insight into the relationship of Schroedinger quantum mechanics and a classical diffusion process.     

Generalizations of Quantum Mechanics Induced by Classical Statistical Field Theory

No Heading We show that the Dirac-von Neumann formalism for quantum mechanics can be obtained as an approximation of classical statistical field theory. This approximation is based on the Taylor expansion (up to terms of the second order) of classical physical variables – maps f : Ω → R, where Ω is the infinite-dimensional Hilbert space. The space of classical statistical states consists of Gaussian measures ρ on Ω having zero mean value and dispersion σ²(ρ) ≈ h. This viewpoint to the conventional quantum formalism gives the possibility to create generalized quantum formalisms based on expansions of classical physical variables in the Taylor series up to terms of nth order and considering statistical states ρ having dispersion σ²(ρ) = hⁿ (for n = 2 we obtain the conventional quantum formalism).     

Canonical transformations in quantum mechanics

This paper presents the general theory of canonical transformations of coordinates in quantum mechanics. First, the theory is developed in the formalism of phase space quantum mechanics. It is shown that by transforming a star-product, when passing to a new coordinate system, observables and states transform as in classical mechanics, i.e., by composing them with a transformation of coordinates. Then the developed formalism of coordinate transformations is transferred to a standard formulation of quantum mechanics. In addition, the developed theory is illustrated on examples of particular classes of quantum canonical transformations.     

Quantum phenomena and the zeropoint radiation field

The stationary solutions for a bound electron immersed in the random zeropoint radiation field of stochastic electrodynamics are studied, under the assumption that the characteristic Fourier frequencies of these solutions are not random. Under this assumption, the response of the particle to the field is linear and does not mix frequencies, irrespectively of the form of the binding force; the fluctuations of the random field fix the scale of the response. The effective radiation field that supports the stationary states of motion is no longer the free vacuum field, but a modified form of it with new statistical properties. The theory is expressed naturally in terms of matrices (or operators), and it leads to the Heisenberg equations and the Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics in the radiationless approximation. The connection with the poissonian formulation of stochastic electrodynamics is also established. At the end we briefly discuss a few important aspects of quantum mechanics which the present theory helps to clarify.On leave of absence at Mathematics Department, University College London. Gower Street, London WC1, U.K.     

Realism,operationalism, and quantum mechanics

A comprehensive formal system is developed that amalgamates the operational and the realistic approaches to quantum mechanics. In this formalism, for example, a sharp distinction is made between events, operational propositions, and the properties of physical systems.     

Generalizing Planck’s distribution by using the Carati–Galgani model of molecular collisions

Classical systems of coupled harmonic oscillators are studied using the Carati–Galgani model. We investigate the consequences for Einstein’s conjecture by considering that the exchange of energy in molecular collisions follows the Lévy type statistics. We develop a generalization of Planck’s distribution admitting that there are analogous relations in the equilibrium quantum statistical mechanics of the relations found using the nonequilibrium classical statistical mechanics approach. The generalization of Planck’s law based on the nonextensive statistical mechanics formalism is compatible with our analysis.     

On the quantum electrodynamics of moving bodies

A new synthesis of the principles of relativity and quantum mechanics is developed by replacing the Poincaré group for the de Sitter one. The new relativistic quantum mechanics is an indefinite-mass theory which is reduced to the standard theory on the mass shell. The charge conjugation acquires a geometrical meaning and the Stueckelberg interpretation for antiparticles naturally arises in the formalism. So the idea of the Dirac sea in the second-quantized formalism proves to be superfluous. The off-shell theory is free from ultraviolet divergences, which only appear in the process of mass-shell reduction.