Particle detection and non-detection in a quantum time of arrival measurement

The standard time-of-arrival distribution cannot reproduce both the temporal and the spatial profile of the modulus squared of the time-evolved wave function for an arbitrary initial state. In particular, the time-of-arrival distribution gives a non-vanishing probability even if the wave function is zero at a given point for all values of time. This poses a problem in the standard formulation of quantum mechanics where one quantizes a classical observable and uses its spectral resolution to calculate the corresponding distribution. In this work, we show that the modulus squared of the time-evolved wave function is in fact contained in one of the degenerate eigenfunctions of the quantized time-of-arrival operator. This generalizes our understanding of quantum arrival phenomenon where particle detection is not a necessary requirement, thereby providing a direct link between time-of-arrival quantization and the outcomes of the two-slit experiment.     

System Plus Reservoir Approach to Quantum Brownian Motion of a Rod-Like Particle

Quantum Brownian motion of a rod-like particle is investigated in the frame work of system plus reservoir model. The quantum mechanical and classical limit for both translational and rotational motions are discussed. Correlation functions, fluctuation-dissipation relations and mean squared values of translational and rotational motions are obtained.     

Quantization in classical mechanics and its relation to the Bohmian Ψ-field

Based on the Chetaev theorem on stable dynamical trajectories in the presence of dissipative forces, we obtain the generalized condition for stability of Hamilton systems in the form of the Schrödinger equation.It is shown that the energy of dissipative forces, which generate the Chetaev generalized condition of stability, coincides exactly with the Bohm “quantum” potential. Within the frame-work of Bohmian quantum mechanics supplemented by the generalized Chetaev theorem and on the basis of the principle of least action for dissipative forces, we show that the squared amplitude of a wave function in the Schrödinger equation is equivalent semantically and syntactically to the probability density function for the number of particle trajectories, relative to which the velocity and the position of the particle are not hidden parameters. The conditions for the correctness of trajectory interpretation of quantum mechanics are discussed.     

The possible role of event-horizons in Quantum gravity

In this paper we extend to the de Sitter universe Bekenstein's result for the minimum variation of the black hole event-horizon area due to the absorption of an extended (classical) particle. Based on these equations we argue that at macroscopic scales the classical and quantum results should be in correspondence with each other (correspondence principle) and conclude that the event-horizon area is quantized in units of Planck's length squared. Consequences are discussed.     

Quantum particles from classical statistics

Quantum particles and classical particles are described in a common setting of classical statistical physics. The property of a particle being “classical” or “quantum” ceases to be a basic conceptual difference. The dynamics differs, however, between quantum and classical particles. We describe position, motion and correlations of a quantum particle in terms of observables in a classical statistical ensemble. On the other side, we also construct explicitly the quantum formalism with wave function and Hamiltonian for classical particles. For a suitable time evolution of the classical probabilities and a suitable choice of observables all features of a quantum particle in a potential can be derived from classical statistics, including interference and tunneling. Besides conceptual advances, the treatment of classical and quantum particles in a common formalism could lead to interesting cross‐fertilization between classical statistics and quantum physics.     

Orbit Sum Rules for the Quantum Wave Functions of the Strongly Chaotic Hadamard Billiard in Arbitrary Dimensions

Sum rules are derived for the quantum wave functions of the Hadamard billiard in arbitrary dimensions. This billiard is a strongly chaotic (Anosov) system which consists of a point particle moving freely on a D-dimensional compact manifold (orbifold) of constant negative curvature. The sum rules express a general (two-point)correlation function of the quantum mechanical wave functions in terms of a sum over the orbits of the corresponding classical system. By taking the trace of the orbit sum rule or pre-trace formula, one obtains the Selberg trace formula. The sum rules are applied in two dimensions to a compact Riemann surface of genus two, and in three dimensions to the only non-arithmetic tetrahedron existing in hyperbolic 3-space. It is shown that the quantum wave functions can be computed from classical orbits. Conversely, we demonstrate that the structure of classical orbits can be extracted from the quantum mechanical energy levels and wave functions (inverse quantum chaology).     

Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms for relativistic dynamics of a charged particle with dipole moment

The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations for the relativistic classical dynamics of a charged particle with dipole moment in the presence of an electromagnetic field are given. The differential conservation laws for the energy-momentum and angular momentum tensors of a field and particle are discussed. The Poisson brackets for basic dynamic variables, which form a closed algebra, are found. These Poisson brackets enable us to perform the canonical quantization of the Hamiltonian equations that leads to the Dirac wave equation in the case of spin 1/2. It is also shown that the classical limit of the squared Dirac equation results in equations of motion for a charged particle with dipole moment obtained from the Lagrangian formulation. The inclusion of gravitational field and non-Abelian gauge fields into the proposed formalism is discussed.Received: 4 June 2005, Published online: 27 July 2005     

Anomalous isotropic luminescence from anthracene sandwich dimers

A classical statistical probability amplitude is introduced whose square modulus is the distribution function. This enables the analogy between classical statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics to be completed. The analogy is developed until quantum statistical derivations can be used in classical statistical mechanics. Two master equations are found: the classical equivalent of the Pauli Master Equation, and a generally valid master equation. Well-known classical equations are deduced from these in a special representation. Interference terms are found and discussed.     

Unstable trajectories and the quantum mechanical uncertainty

There is still an ongoing discussion about various seemingly contradictory aspects of classical particle motion and its quantum mechanical counterpart. One of the best accepted viewpoints that intend to bridge the gap is the so-called Copenhagen Interpretation. A major issue there is to regard wave functions as probability amplitudes (usually for the position of a particle). However, the literature also reports on approaches that claim a trajectory for any quantum mechanical particle, Bohmian mechanics probably being the most prominent one among these ideas. We introduce a way to calculate trajectories as well, but our crucial ingredient is their well controlled local (thus also momentaneous) degree of instability. By construction, at every moment their unpredictability, i.e., their local separation rates of neighboring trajectories, is governed by the local value of the given modulus square of a wave function. We present extensive numerical simulations of the H and He atom, and for some velocity-related quantities, namely angular momentum and total energy, we inspect their agreement with the values appearing in wave mechanics. Further, we interpret the archetypal double slit interference experiment in the spirit of our findings. We also discuss many-particle problems far beyond He, which guides us to a variety of possible applications.     

Nonlinearity of Quantum Mechanics and Solution of the Problem of Wave Function Collapse

The problem of the wave function collapse (a problem of measurement in quantum mechanics) is considered. It is shown that it can be solved based on quantum mechanics and does not require any additional assumptions or new theories. The particle creation and annihilation processes, which are described based on quantum field theory, play a key role in the measurement processes. Superposition principle is not valid for the system of equations of quantum field theory for particles and fields, because this system is a non-linear. As a result of the creation (annihilation) of a particle, an additional uncertainty arises, which "smears" the interference pattern. The imposition of such a large number of uncertainties in the repetitive measurements leads to the classical behavior of particles. The decoherence theory also implies the creation and annihilation of particles, and this processes are the consequence of non-linearity of quantum mechanics. In this case, the term "collapse of the wave function" becomes a consequence of the other statements of quantum mechanics instead of a separate postulate of quantum mechanics.     

Nonlinearity of Quantum Mechanics and Solution of the Problem of Wave Function Collapse

The problem of the wave function collapse(a problem of measurement in quantum mechanics) is considered.It is shown that it can be solved based on quantum mechanics and does not require any additional assumptions or new theories. The particle creation and annihilation processes, which are described based on quantum field theory, play a key role in the measurement processes. Superposition principle is not valid for the system of equations of quantum field theory for particles and fields, because this system is a non-linear. As a result of the creation(annihilation) of a particle,an additional uncertainty arises, which "smears" the interference pattern. The imposition of such a large number of uncertainties in the repetitive measurements leads to the classical behavior of particles. The decoherence theory also implies the creation and annihilation of particles, and this processes are the consequence of non-linearity of quantum mechanics. In this case, the term "collapse of the wave function" becomes a consequence of the other statements of quantum mechanics instead of a separate postulate of quantum mechanics.     

From a 1D Completed Scattering and Double Slit Diffraction to the Quantum-Classical Problem for Isolated Systems

By probability theory the probability space to underlie the set of statistical data described by the squared modulus of a coherent superposition of microscopically distinct (sub)states (CSMDS) is non-Kolmogorovian and, thus, such data are mutually incompatible. For us this fact means that the squared modulus of a CSMDS cannot be unambiguously interpreted as the probability density and quantum mechanics itself, with its current approach to CSMDSs, does not allow a correct statistical interpretation. By the example of a 1D completed scattering and double slit diffraction we develop a new quantum-mechanical approach to CSMDSs, which requires the decomposition of the non-Kolmogorovian probability space associated with the squared modulus of a CSMDS into the sum of Kolmogorovian ones. We adapt to CSMDSs the presented by Khrennikov (Found. Phys. 35(10):1655, 2005) concept of real contexts (complexes of physical conditions) to determine uniquely the properties of quantum ensembles. Namely we treat the context to create a time-dependent CSMDS as a complex one consisting of elementary (sub)contexts to create alternative subprocesses. For example, in the two-slit experiment each slit generates its own elementary context and corresponding subprocess. We show that quantum mechanics, with a new approach to CSMDSs, allows a correct statistical interpretation and becomes compatible with classical physics.     

Classical Mechanics Without Determinism

Classical statistical particle mechanics in the configuration space can be represented by a nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Even without assuming the existence of deterministic particle trajectories, the resulting quantum-like statistical interpretation is sufficient to predict all measurable results of classical mechanics. In the classical case, the wave function that satisfies a linear equation is positive, which is the main source of the fundamental difference between classical and quantum mechanics.     

Path-dependent phase shifts in isolated systems

The Aharonov-Casher effect in a closed system is discussed. In this model, the charge on the wire is produced by a conducting bar moving in a magnetic field. If one considers the neutron to be a classical particle and the moving bar to be a quantum object, then the wave function of the bar acquires a phase shift equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to the usual phase shift of the neutron wave function. It is also shown that in any closed system, a path-dependent phase shift of one part of the system is always accompanied by an opposite phase shift of the remainder of the system. This result follows directly from the principle of least action.     

Interaction-free measurements of the second type: Concepts and proposal for a feasible experiment

Wave aspects inherent in quantum physics lead to observable consequences, which are far removed from classical intuition. The possibility of interaction-free measurement is one consequence of quantum wave nature at the single particle level. To date, all experiments, which have studied interaction-free measurements, have dealt with modification of the amplitude of the wave function. In this paper, we discuss interaction-free measurements of a second type, where only the phase of the wave function is modified. We show that an example discussed by Penrose is in this class and clarify the physical reasons for loss of interference in such measurements. We discuss the experimental feasibility of interaction-free measurements of the second type, employing micromaser cavities and atom interferometers. One scheme leads to the possibility of interactionfree measurement of the finesse of the cavity by observing atoms that never interacted with the cavity. The loss of interference, in this case, is due to a random spinor phase and there is no Heisenberg momentum back-action. This is the first experimental proposal for interaction-free measurements of pure phase changes.     

de Broglie-Bohm formulation of quantum mechanics, quantum chaos and breaking of time-reversal invariance

A recently developed unified theory of classical and quantum chaos, based on the de Broglie-Bohm (Hamilton-Jacobi) formulation of quantum mechanics is presented and its consequences are discussed. The quantum dynamics is rigorously defined to be chaotic if the Lyapunov number, associated with the quantum trajectories in de Broglie-Bohm phase space, is positive definite. This definition of quantum chaos which under classical conditions goes over to the well-known definition of classical chaos in terms of positivity of Lyapunov numbers, provides a rigorous unified definition of chaos on the same footing for both the dynamics. A demonstration of the existence of positive Lyapunov numbers in a simple quantum system is given analytically, proving the existence of quantum chaos. Breaking of the time-reversal symmetry in the corresponding quantum dynamics under chaotic evolution is demonstrated. It is shown that the rigorous deterministic quantum chaos provides an intrinsic mechanism towards irreversibility of the Schrodinger evolution of the wave function, without invoking ‘wave function collapse’ or ‘measurements’