Discreteness of space from GUP II: Relativistic wave equations

Various theories of Quantum Gravity predict modifications of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle near the Planck scale to a so-called Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP). In some recent papers, we showed that the GUP gives rise to corrections to the Schrödinger equation, which in turn affect all quantum mechanical Hamiltonians. In particular, by applying it to a particle in a one-dimensional box, we showed that the box length must be quantized in terms of a fundamental length (which could be the Planck length), which we interpreted as a signal of fundamental discreteness of space itself. In this Letter, we extend the above results to a relativistic particle in a rectangular as well as a spherical box, by solving the GUP-corrected Klein–Gordon and Dirac equations, and for the latter, to two and three dimensions. We again arrive at quantization of box length, area and volume and an indication of the fundamentally grainy nature of space. We discuss possible implications.     

Discreteness of space from the generalized uncertainty principle

Various approaches to Quantum Gravity (such as String Theory and Doubly Special Relativity), as well as black hole physics predict a minimum measurable length, or a maximum observable momentum, and related modifications of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to a so-called Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP). We propose a GUP consistent with String Theory, Doubly Special Relativity and black hole physics, and show that this modifies all quantum mechanical Hamiltonians. When applied to an elementary particle, it implies that the space which confines it must be quantized. This suggests that space itself is discrete, and that all measurable lengths are quantized in units of a fundamental length (which can be the Planck length). On the one hand, this signals the breakdown of the spacetime continuum picture near that scale, and on the other hand, it can predict an upper bound on the quantum gravity parameter in the GUP, from current observations. Furthermore, such fundamental discreteness of space may have observable consequences at length scales much larger than the Planck scale.     

Rejection of the Light Quantum: The Dark Side of Niels Bohr

Evidence is recalled of the strong opposition of Niels Bohr, at the time of the Old Quantum Theory 1913–1925, to the Lichtquanten hypothesis of Einstein. Some episodes with H. A. Kramers, J. C. Slater, and W. Heisenberg are recollected; Bohr's changing point of view is traced back to some philosophical antecedents and to his endeavor to deduce quantum results from the Correspondence Principle. Some consequences for the future interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, specially to the Complementarity Principle, are considered.     

Trading by Quantum Rules: Quantum Anthropic Principle

This is a short review of the background and recent development in quantum game theory and its possible application in economics and finance. The intersection of science and society is discussed and Quantum Anthropic Principle is put forward. The review is addressed to nonspecialists.     

Planck scale effects on some low energy quantum phenomena

Almost all theories of Quantum Gravity predict modifications of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle near the Planck scale to a so-called Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP). Recently it was shown that the GUP gives rise to corrections to the Schrödinger and Dirac equations, which in turn affect all non-relativistic and relativistic quantum Hamiltonians. In this Letter, we apply it to superconductivity and the quantum Hall effect and compute Planck scale corrections. We also show that Planck scale effects may account for a (small) part of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. We obtain (weak) empirical bounds on the undetermined GUP parameter from present-day experiments.     

Basis Logic for Application in Physics and Its Intuitionistic Alternative

This article proposes a basic logic for application in physics dispensing with the Principle of Excluded Middle. It is based on the article “Matrix Based Logics for Application in Physics (RMQ) which appeared 2009. In his article with Stachow on the Principle of Excluded Middle in Quantum Logic (QL), Peter Mittelstaedt showed that for some suitable QLs, including their own, the Principle of Excluded Middle can be added without any harm for QL; where ‘without any harm for QL’ means that the basic desiderata and the basic results (theorems) of those QLs remain satised in the sense that they avoid the well known difficulties with commensurability and distributivity. In the following article I want to show that the basic desiderata and results (theorems) of RMQ (of avoiding the well-known difficulties with commensurability, distributivity, fusion and Bell’s inequalities) remain satised if by introducing a strong negation (or strong negation and disjunction) the resulting weak intuitionist system RMQI dispenses with the Principle of Excluded Middle; it becomes either invalid or not strictly valid.     

Non Locality Proofs in Quantum Mechanics Analyzed by Ordinary Mathematical Logic

The so-called non-locality theorems aim to show that Quantum Mechanics is not consistent with the Locality Principle. Their proofs require, besides the standard postulates of Quantum Theory, further conditions, as for instance the Criterion of Reality, which cannot be formulated in the language of Standard Quantum Theory; this difficulty makes the proofs not verifiable according to usual logico-mathematical methods, and therefore it is a source of the controversial debate about the real implications of these theorems. The present work addresses this difficulty for Bell-type and Stapp’s arguments of non-locality. We supplement the formalism of Quantum Mechanics with formal statements inferred from the further conditions in the two different cases. Then an analysis of the two arguments is performed according to ordinary mathematical logic.     

Individuation in Quantum Mechanics and Space-Time

Two physical approaches—as distinct, under the classification of Mittelstaedt, from formal approaches—to the problem of individuation of quantum objects are considered, one formulated in spatiotemporal terms and one in quantum mechanical terms. The spatiotemporal approach itself has two forms: one attributed to Einstein and based on the ontology of space-time points, and the other proposed by Howard and based on intersections of world lines. The quantum mechanical approach is also provided here in two forms, one based on interference and another based on a new Quantum Principle of Individuation (QPI). It is argued that the space-time approach to individuation fails and that the quantum approach offers several advantages over it, including consistency with Leibniz’s Principle of Identity of Indiscernibles.     

QND measurements for future gravitational-wave detectors

Second-generation interferometric gravitational-wave detectors will be operating at the Standard Quantum Limit (SQL), a sensitivity limitation set by the trade off between measurement accuracy and quantum back action, which is governed by the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. We review several schemes that allows the quantum noise of interferometers to surpass the SQL significantly over a broad frequency band. Such schemes may be an important component of the design of third-generation detectors.     

Integrals of motion for some equations onq-minkowski space

The conservation laws for second order linear equation with constant coefficients on braided linear space are derived. As an example we study conserved currents connected with symmetry operators for scalar and spinor wave equations onq-Minkowski space. Then we formulate set of conditions for integral over spatial dimensions and use the postulated integral in construction of constant of motion for arbitrary conserved current onq-Minkowski space. Presented at the 6th International Colloquium on Quantum Groups “Quantum Groups and Integrable Systems”, Prague, 19–21 June 1997.     

Path integration in conical space

Quantum mechanics in conical space is studied by the path integral method. It is shown that the curvature effect gives rise to an effective potential in the radial path integral. It is further shown that the radial path integral in conical space can be reduced to a form identical with that in flat space when the discrete angular momentum of each partial wave is replaced by a specific non-integral angular momentum. The effective potential is found proportional to the squared mean curvature of the conical surface embedded in Euclidean space. The path integral calculation is compatible with the Schrödinger equation modified with the Gaussian and the mean curvature.     

Quantum mechanics in the gaussian wave-packet phase space representation III: From phase space probability functions to wave-functions

Using a mapping formalism, the Wave-Packet Phase Space Representation, we show that for phase space probability distributions that do not violate the Uncertainty Principle one can associate a density matrix, (x, x'), when some conditions are fulfilled. Furthermore if condition Tr ² = 1 is satisfied it becomes possible to find a wave function associated to the probability distribution.     

Magnetic field in the Lobachevsky space and related integrable systems

Various possibilities to define analogs of the uniform magnetic field in the Lobachevsky space are considered using different coordinate systems in this space. Quantum mechanical problem of motion in the defined fields is also treated. Variables in the Schr?dinger equation are separated and diagonal operators are found. For some cases, exact solutions are obtained.     

Timelessness Strictly inside the Quantum Realm

Time is one of the undisputed foundations of our life in the real world. Here it is argued that inside small isolated quantum systems, time does not pass as we are used to, and it is primarily in this sense that quantum objects enjoy only limited reality. Quantum systems, which we know, are embedded in the everyday classical world. Their preparation as well as their measurement-phases leave durable records and traces in the entropy of the environment. The Landauer Principle then gives a quantitative threshold for irreversibility. With double slit experiments and tunneling as paradigmatic examples, it is proposed that a label of timelessness offers clues for rendering a Copenhagen-type interpretation of quantum physics more “realistic” and acceptable by providing a coarse but viable link from the fundamental quantum realm to the classical world which humans directly experience.     

Quantum particles from coarse grained classical probabilities in phase space

Quantum particles can be obtained from a classical probability distribution in phase space by a suitable coarse graining, whereby simultaneous classical information about position and momentum can be lost. For a suitable time evolution of the classical probabilities and choice of observables all features of a quantum particle in a potential follow from classical statistics. This includes interference, tunneling and the uncertainty relation.     

On projective group properties of the 6D pseudo-Riemannian space

We study the six-dimensional pseudo-Riemannian spaces with two time-like coordinates that admit non-homothetic infinitesimal projective transformations. The metrics are manifestly obtained and the projective group properties are determined. We also find a generic definition of projective motion in the 6-dimensional rigid h-space. Presented at the International Colloquium “Integrable Systems and Quantum Symmetries”, Prague, 16–18 June 2005.     

量子相空间纠缠轨线力学

量子相空间理论已用来研究物理学、化学等有关问题, 并为人们研究经典物理和量子物理的对应关系提供了一种有力工具. 在量子相空间中, 基于Wigner表象下的量子刘维尔方程, 建立分子纠缠轨线力学. 与经典分子力学方法不同, 分子纠缠轨线力学中的轨线不再是独立的, 而是“纠缠”在一起的, 这正是体系量子效应的体现. 这种半经典 的理论方法能给出体系的量子效应及具有启示意义的物理图像. 分子纠缠轨线力学被用来研究量子隧穿效应、分子光解反应动力学、自关联函数等. 本文综述了分子纠缠轨线力学最近的发展. 关键词： 纠缠轨线 量子相空间 半经典理论     

The Master Ward Identity and Generalized Schwinger-Dyson Equation in Classical Field Theory

In the framework of perturbative quantum field theory a new, universal renormalization condition (called Master Ward Identity) was recently proposed by one of us (M.D.) in a joint paper with F.-M. Boas. The main aim of the present paper is to get a better understanding of the Master Ward Identity by analyzing its meaning in classical field theory. It turns out that it is the most general identity for classical local fields which follows from the field equations. It is equivalent to a generalization of the Schwinger-Dyson Equation and is closely related to the Quantum Action Principle of Lowenstein and Lam. As a byproduct we give a self-contained treatment of Peierls manifestly covariant definition of the Poisson bracket. Work supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Realization of quantum permutation algorithm in high dimensional Hilbert space

Quantum algorithms provide a more efficient way to solve computational tasks than classical algorithms. We experimentally realize quantum permutation algorithm using light's orbital angular momentum degree of freedom. By exploiting the spatial mode of photons, our scheme provides a more elegant way to understand the principle of quantum permutation algorithm and shows that the high dimension characteristic of light's orbital angular momentum may be useful in quantum algorithms. Our scheme can be extended to higher dimension by introducing more spatial modes and it paves the way to trace the source of quantum speedup.