Noncommutative Classical Mechanics

In this work, I investigate the noncommutative Poisson algebra of classical observables corresponding to a proposed general noncommutative quantum mechanics, Djemai, A. E. F. and Smail, H. (2003). I treat some classical systems with various potentials and some physical interpretations are given concerning the presence of noncommutativity at large scales (celestial mechanics) directly tied to the one present at small scales (quantum mechanics) and its possible relation with UV/IR mixing.     

Noncommutative coordinate picture of the quantum phase space

We illustrate an isomorphic representation of the observable algebra for quantum mechanics in terms of the functions on the projective Hilbert space, and its Hilbert space analog, with a noncommutative product in terms of explicit coordinates and discuss the physical and dynamical picture. The isomorphism is then used as a base for the translation of the differential symplectic geometry of the infinite dimensional manifolds onto the observable algebra as a noncommutative geometry. Hence, we obtain the latter from the physical theory itself. We have essentially an extended formalism of the Schr̎odinger versus Heisenberg picture which we describe mathematically as like a coordinate map from the phase space, for which we have presented argument to be seen as the quantum model of the physical space, to the noncommutative geometry coordinated by the six position and momentum operators. The observable algebra is taken essentially as an algebra of formal functions on the latter operators. The work formulates the intuitive idea that the noncommutative geometry can be seen as an alternative, noncommutative coordinate, picture of familiar quantum phase space, at least so long as the symplectic geometry is concerned.     

Quantum decision theory as quantum theory of measurement

We present a general theory of quantum information processing devices, that can be applied to human decision makers, to atomic multimode registers, or to molecular high-spin registers. Our quantum decision theory is a generalization of the quantum theory of measurement, endowed with an action ring, a prospect lattice and a probability operator measure. The algebra of probability operators plays the role of the algebra of local observables. Because of the composite nature of prospects and of the entangling properties of the probability operators, quantum interference terms appear, which make actions noncommutative and the prospect probabilities nonadditive. The theory provides the basis for explaining a variety of paradoxes typical of the application of classical utility theory to real human decision making. The principal advantage of our approach is that it is formulated as a self-consistent mathematical theory, which allows us to explain not just one effect but actually all known paradoxes in human decision making. Being general, the approach can serve as a tool for characterizing quantum information processing by means of atomic, molecular, and condensed-matter systems.     

A Quantum Analogue of the First Fundamental Theorem of Classical Invariant Theory

We establish a noncommutative analogue of the first fundamental theorem of classical invariant theory. For each quantum group associated with a classical Lie algebra, we construct a noncommutative associative algebra whose underlying vector space forms a module for the quantum group and whose algebraic structure is preserved by the quantum group action. The subspace of invariants is shown to form a subalgebra, which is finitely generated. We determine generators of this subalgebra of invariants and determine their commutation relations. In each case considered, the noncommutative modules we construct are flat deformations of their classical commutative analogues. Our results are therefore noncommutative generalisations of the first fundamental theorem of classical invariant theory, which follows from our results by taking the limit as q → 1. Our method similarly leads to a definition of quantum spheres, which is a noncommutative generalisation of the classical case with orthogonal quantum group symmetry.     

Quantization due to breaking the commutativity of symmetries. Wobbling oscillator and anharmonic Penning trap

We discuss two examples of classical mechanical systems which can become quantum either because of degeneracy of an integral of motion or because of tuning parameters at resonance. In both examples, the commutativity of the symmetry algebra is breaking, and noncommutative symmetries arise. Over the new noncommutative algebra, the system can reveal its quantum behavior including the tunneling effect. The important role is played by the creation-annihilation regime for the perturbation or anharmonism. Activation of this regime sometimes needs in an additional resonance deformation (Cartan subalgebra breaking).     

QFT on homothetic Killing twist deformed curved spacetimes

We study the quantum field theory (QFT) of a free, real, massless and curvature coupled scalar field on self-similar symmetric spacetimes, which are deformed by an abelian Drinfel’d twist constructed from a Killing and a homothetic Killing vector field. In contrast to deformations solely by Killing vector fields, such as the Moyal-Weyl Minkowski spacetime, the equation of motion and Green’s operators are deformed. We show that there is a *-algebra isomorphism between the QFT on the deformed and the formal power series extension of the QFT on the undeformed spacetime. We study the convergent implementation of our deformations for toy-models. For these models it is found that there is a *-isomorphism between the deformed Weyl algebra and a reduced undeformed Weyl algebra, where certain strongly localized observables are excluded. Thus, our models realize the intuitive physical picture that noncommutative geometry prevents arbitrary localization in spacetime.     

Twisting of Quantum Differentials and¶the Planck Scale Hopf Algebra

We show that the crossed modules and bicovariant differential calculi on two Hopf algebras related by a cocycle twist are in 1-1 correspondence. In particular, for quantum groups which are cocycle deformation-quantisations of classical groups the calculi are obtained as deformation-quantisations of the classical ones. As an application, we classify all bicovariant differential calculi on the Planck scale Hopf algebra . This is a quantum group which has an limit as the functions on a classical but non-Abelian group and a limit as flat space quantum mechanics. We further study the noncommutative differential geometry and Fourier theory for this Hopf algebra as a toy model for Planck scale physics. The Fourier theory implements a T-duality-like self-duality. The noncommutative geometry turns out to be singular when and is therefore not visible in flat space quantum mechanics alone. Received: 28 October 1998 / Accepted: 7 March 1999     

Field Extension of Real Values of Physical Observables in Classical Theory can Help Attain Quantum Results

Physical quantities are assumed to take real values, which stems from the fact that an usual measuring instrument that measures a physical observable always yields a real number. Here we consider the question of what would happen if physical observables are allowed to assume complex values. In this paper, we show that by allowing observables in the Bell inequality to take complex values, a classical physical theory can actually get the same upper bound of the Bell expression as quantum theory. Also, by extending the real field to the quaternionic field, we can puzzle out the GHZ problem using local hidden variable model. Furthermore, we try to build a new type of hidden-variable theory of a single qubit based on the result.     

Distortion of the Poisson Bracket by the Noncommutative Planck Constants

In this paper we introduce a kind of “noncommutative neighbourhood” of a semiclassical parameter corresponding to the Planck constant. This construction is defined as a certain filtered and graded algebra with an infinite number of generators indexed by planar binary leaf-labelled trees. The associated graded algebra (the classical shadow) is interpreted as a “distortion” of the algebra of classical observables of a physical system. It is proven that there exists a q-analogue of the Weyl quantization, where q is a matrix of formal variables, which induces a nontrivial noncommutative analogue of a Poisson bracket on the classical shadow.     

Towards a Resolution of Dilemma: Nonlocality or Nonobjectivity?

This paper discusses a possible resolution of the nonobjectivity-nonlocality dilemma in quantum mechanics in the light of experimental tests of the Bell inequality for two entangled photons and a Bell-like inequality for a single neutron. My conclusion is that these experiments show that quantum mechanics is nonobjective: that is, the values of physical observables cannot be assigned to a system before measurement. Bell’s assumption of nonlocality has to be rejected as having no direct experimental confirmation, at least thus far. I also consider the relationships between nonobjectivity and contextuality. Specifically, I analyze the impact of the Kochen-Specker theorem on the problem of contextuality of quantum observables. I argue that, just as von Neumann’s “no-go” theorem, the Kochen-Specker theorem is based on assumptions that do not correspond to the real physical situation. Finally, I present a theory of measurement based on a classical, purely wave model (pre-quantum classical statistical field theory), a model that reproduces quantum probabilities. In this model continuous fields are transformed into discrete clicks of detectors. While this model is classical, it is nonobjective. In this case, nonobjectivity is the result of the dependence of experimental outcomes on the context of measurement, in accordance with Bohr’s view.     

Measurements and mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics

A scheme for constructing quantum mechanics is given that does not have Hilbert space and linear operators as its basic elements. Instead, a version of algebraic approach is considered. Elements of a noncommutative algebra (observables) and functionals on this algebra (elementary states) associated with results of single measurements are used as primary components of the scheme. On the one hand, it is possible to use within the scheme the formalism of the standard (Kolmogorov) probability theory, and, on the other hand, it is possible to reproduce the mathematical formalism of standard quantum mechanics, and to study the limits of its applicability. A short outline is given of the necessary material from the theory of algebras and probability theory. It is described how the mathematical scheme of the paper agrees with the theory of quantum measurements, and avoids quantum paradoxes.     

Quantum Theory Without Hilbert Spaces

Quantum theory does not only predict probabilities, but also relative phases for any experiment, that involves measurements of an ensemble of systems at different moments of time. We argue, that any operational formulation of quantum theory needs an algebra of observables and an object that incorporates the information about relative phases and probabilities. The latter is the (de)coherence functional, introduced by the consistent histories approach to quantum theory. The acceptance of relative phases as a primitive ingredient of any quantum theory, liberates us from the need to use a Hilbert space and non-commutative observables. It is shown, that quantum phenomena are adequately described by a theory of relative phases and non-additive probabilities on the classical phase space. The only difference lies on the type of observables that correspond to sharp measurements. This class of theories does not suffer from the consequences of Bell's theorem (it is not a theory of Kolmogorov probabilities) and Kochen–Specker's theorem (it has distributive logic). We discuss its predictability properties, the meaning of the classical limit and attempt to see if it can be experimentally distinguished from standard quantum theory. Our construction is operational and statistical, in the spirit of Copenhagen, but makes plausible the existence of a realist, geometric theory for individual quantum systems.     

Quantization as mapping and as deformation

Quantizations are considered as mappings from the algebra of classical polynomial observables into the algebra of quantum polynomial observables satisfying a minimal set of natural requirements. Physically important subclasses of quantizations are specified by further symmetry assumptions.In the second part quantizations are defined as deformations of the classical algebra of polynomial observables. The relation of these deformations to the quantization mappings is clarified.Dedicated to Academician Václav Votruba on the occasion of his seventieth birthday.     

Probabilistic Time

The concept of time emerges as an ordering structure in a classical statistical ensemble. Probability distributions p _τ (t) at a given time t obtain by integrating out the past and future. We discuss all-time probability distributions that realize a unitary time evolution as described by rotations of the real wave function $q_{\tau}(t)=\pm \sqrt{p_{\tau}(t)}$ . We establish a map to quantum physics and the Schr?dinger equation. Suitable classical observables are mapped to quantum operators. The non-commutativity of the operator product is traced back to the incomplete statistics of the local-time subsystem. Our investigation of classical statistics is based on two-level observables that take the values one or zero. Then the wave functions can be mapped to elements of a Grassmann algebra. Quantum field theories for fermions arise naturally from our formulation of probabilistic time.     

Why Do the Quantum Observables Form a Jordan Operator Algebra?

The Jordan algebra structure of the bounded real quantum observables was recognized already in the early days of quantum mechanics. While there are plausible reasons for most parts of this structure, the existence of the distributive nonassociative multiplication operation is hard to justify from a physical or statistical point of view. Considering the non-Boolean extension of classical probabilities, presented in a recent paper, it is shown in this paper that such a multiplication operation can be derived from certain properties of the conditional probabilities and the observables, i.e., from postulates with a clear statistical interpretation. The well-known close relation between Jordan operator algebras and C*-algebras then provides the connection to the quantum-mechanical Hilbert space formalism, thus resulting in a novel axiomatic approach to general quantum mechanics that includes the types II and III von Neumann algebras.     

Quantum Set Theory

The complete orthomodular lattice of closed subspaces of a Hilbert space is considered as the logic describing a quantum physical system, and called a quantum logic. G. Takeuti developed a quantum set theory based on the quantum logic. He showed that the real numbers defined in the quantum set theory represent observables in quantum physics. We formulate the quantum set theory by introducing a strong implication corresponding to the lattice order, and represent the basic concepts of quantum physics such as propositions, symmetries, and states in the quantum set theory.     

Deformation theory and quantization. I. Deformations of symplectic structures

We present a mathematical study of the differentiable deformations of the algebras associated with phase space. Deformations of the Lie algebra of C^∞ functions, defined by the Poisson bracket, generalize the well-known Moyal bracket. Deformations of the algebra of C^∞ functions, defined by ordinary multiplication, give rise to noncommutative, associative algebras, isomorphic to the operator algebras of quantum theory. In particular, we study deformations invariant under any Lie algebra of “distinguished observables”, thus generalizing the usual quantization scheme based on the Heisenberg algebra.