A new theory of elementary matter part III: A self-consistent field theory of electrodynamics and correspondence with quantum mechanics

This paper exploits the axioms and general mathematical structure of a new theory of elementary matter, thus far developed in two earlier papers (Sachs, 1971b, c). It is shown here, in an explicit fashion, how the exact form of this theory approaches that of quantum mechanics of a many-particle system that interacts electromagnetically. The form of the mathematical expression of quantum mechanics of a many-particle system is found to be a linear approximation for the nonlinear (deterministic) field theory of this author's approach. The latter approximation is valid only when the components of the (asserted) closed system are sufficiently weakly coupled so that it appears as a many-particle system. The physical equivalent of the Pauli exclusion principle is derived in this paper as anexact feature of the theory, which is, in fact, sensitive to its closed and nonlinear features. It is then shown how the Fermi-Dirac statistics in particle physics follows from the present nonlinear theory only in a linear approximation.     

On the axiomatic approach to quasi-classical field theory

We study the connection between quasi-classical field theory and axiomatic statements of the quantum field theory, Schwinger source theory, and the Lehmann-Symanzik-Zimmermann (LSZ) formalism. The classical Schwinger source is connected with the classical field; the LSZ R-function is connected with the quantum field operator. The axioms of the quantum field theory are written in the context of the quasi-classical expansion. In the considered approach, the stationary action principle and canonical commutation relations for field operators are obtained as corollaries and are not postulated as initial statements of the theory.     

Generalized Observables,Bell’s Inequalities and Mixtures in the ESR Model for QM

The extended semantic realism (ESR) model proposes a new theoretical perspective which embodies the mathematical formalism of standard (Hilbert space) quantum mechanics (QM) into a noncontextual framework, reinterpreting quantum probabilities as conditional instead of absolute. We provide in this review an overall view on the present status of our research on this topic. We attain in a new, shortened way a mathematical representation of the generalized observables introduced by the ESR model and a generalization of the projection postulate of elementary QM. Basing on these results we prove that the Bell-Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (BCHSH) inequality, a modified BCHSH inequality and quantum predictions hold together in the ESR model because they refer to different parts of the picture of the physical world supplied by the model. Then we show that a new mathematical representation of mixtures must be introduced in the ESR model which does not coincide with the standard representation in QM and avoids some deep problems that arise from the representation of mixtures provided by QM. Finally we get a nontrivial generalization of the Lüders postulate, which is justified in a special case by introducing a reasonable physical assumption on the evolution of the compound system made up of the measured system and the measuring apparatus.     

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.     

Information and the Reconstruction of Quantum Physics

The reconstruction of quantum physics has been connected with the interpretation of the quantum formalism, and has continued to be so with the recent deeper consideration of the relation of information to quantum states and processes. This recent form of reconstruction has mainly involved conceiving quantum theory on the basis of informational principles, providing new perspectives on physical correlations and entanglement that can be used to encode information. By contrast to the traditional, interpretational approach to the foundations of quantum mechanics, which attempts directly to establish the meaning of the elements of the theory and often touches on metaphysical issues, the newer, more purely reconstructive approach sometimes defers this task, focusing instead on the mathematical derivation of the theoretical apparatus from simple principles or axioms. In its most pure form, this sort of theory reconstruction is fundamentally the mathematical derivation of the elements of theory from explicitly presented, often operational principles involving a minimum of extra‐mathematical content. Here, a representative series of specifically information‐based treatments—from partial reconstructions that make connections with information to rigorous axiomatizations, including those involving the theories of generalized probability and abstract systems—is reviewed.     

Classical Electrodynamics of Point Charges

A simple mathematical procedure is introduced which allows redefining in an exact way divergent integrals and limits that appear in the basic equations of classical electrodynamics with point charges. In this way all divergences are at once removed without affecting the locality and the relativistic covariance of the theory, and with no need for mass renormalization. The procedure is first used to obtain a finite expression for the electromagnetic energy-momentum of the system. We show that the relativistic Lorentz-Dirac equation can be deduced from the conservation of this electromagnetic energy-momentum plus the usual mechanical term. Then we derive a finite lagrangian, which depends on the particle variables and on the actual electromagnetic potentials at a given time. From this lagrangian the equations of motion of both particles and fields can be derived via Hamilton's variational principle. The hamiltonian formulation of the theory can be obtained in a straightforward way. This leads to an interesting comparison between the resulting divergence-free expression of the hamiltonian functional and the standard renormalization rules for perturbative quantum electrodynamics.     

Coherent radiative parton energy loss beyond the BDMPS-Z limit

It is widely accepted that a phenomenologically viable theory of jet quenching for heavy ion collisions requires the understanding of medium-induced parton energy loss beyond the limit of eikonal kinematics formulated by Baier–Dokshitzer–Mueller–Peigné–Schiff and Zakharov (BDMPS-Z). Here, we supplement a recently developed exact Monte Carlo implementation of the BDMPS-Z formalism with elementary physical requirements including exact energy-momentum conservation, a refined formulation of jet-medium interactions and a treatment of all parton branchings on the same footing. We document the changes induced by these physical requirements and we describe their kinematic origin.     

Neutrino Oscillations: Entanglement,Energy-Momentum Conservation and QFT

We consider several subtle aspects of the theory of neutrino oscillations which have been under discussion recently. We show that the S-matrix formalism of quantum field theory can adequately describe neutrino oscillations if correct physics conditions are imposed. This includes space-time localization of the neutrino production and detection processes. Space-time diagrams are introduced, which characterize this localization and illustrate the coherence issues of neutrino oscillations. We discuss two approaches to calculations of the transition amplitudes, which allow different physics interpretations: (i) using configuration-space wave packets for the involved particles, which leads to approximate conservation laws for their mean energies and momenta; (ii) calculating first a plane-wave amplitude of the process, which exhibits exact energy-momentum conservation, and then convoluting it with the momentum-space wave packets of the involved particles. We show that these two approaches are equivalent. Kinematic entanglement (which is invoked to ensure exact energy-momentum conservation in neutrino oscillations) and subsequent disentanglement of the neutrinos and recoiling states are in fact irrelevant when the wave packets are considered. We demonstrate that the contribution of the recoil particle to the oscillation phase is negligible provided that the coherence conditions for neutrino production and detection are satisfied. Unlike in the previous situation, the phases of both neutrinos from Z ⁰ decay are important, leading to a realization of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox.     

Clifford Algebras and the Dirac-Bohm Quantum Hamilton-Jacobi Equation

In this paper we show how the dynamics of the Schr?dinger, Pauli and Dirac particles can be described in a hierarchy of Clifford algebras, C_1,3, C_3,0{\mathcal{C}}_{1,3}, {\mathcal{C}}_{3,0}, and C_0,1{\mathcal{C}}_{0,1}. Information normally carried by the wave function is encoded in elements of a minimal left ideal, so that all the physical information appears within the algebra itself. The state of the quantum process can be completely characterised by algebraic invariants of the first and second kind. The latter enables us to show that the Bohm energy and momentum emerge from the energy-momentum tensor of standard quantum field theory. Our approach provides a new mathematical setting for quantum mechanics that enables us to obtain a complete relativistic version of the Bohm model for the Dirac particle, deriving expressions for the Bohm energy-momentum, the quantum potential and the relativistic time evolution of its spin for the first time.     

Axiomatic Conformal Theory in Dimensions >2 and AdS/CT Correspondence

We formulate axioms of conformal theory (CT) in dimensions >2 modifying Segal’s axioms for two-dimensional CFT. (In the definition of higher-dimensional CFT, one includes also a condition of existence of energy-momentum tensor.) We use these axioms to derive the AdS/CT correspondence for local theories on AdS. We introduce a notion of weakly local quantum field theory and construct a bijective correspondence between conformal theories on the sphere S^d and weakly local quantum field theories on \({H^{d+1}}\) that are invariant with respect to isometries. (Here \({H^{d+1}}\) denotes hyperbolic space = Euclidean AdS space.) We give an expression of AdS correlation functions in terms of CT correlation functions. The conformal theory has conserved energy-momentum tensor iff the AdS theory has graviton in its spectrum.     

Quantum Theory of Path-Dependent Field Operator Based on Characteristics of Displacement Operators

The path-dependent operator formalism of quantum electrodynamics proposed by Mandelstam is reformulated through quantum field theory based on characteristics of displacement operators in Minkowski space. It is shown that total energy- and total angular-momentum operators can generate inhomogeneous Lorentz transformations on any local operator including path-independent bilinear forms constructed of path-dependent electron operator Ψ(x, P), but that generators for Ψ(x, P) itself are only their Ψ(x, P)-dependent parts. Such an unfamiliar feature is characteristic of the path-dependent operator formalism. The present approach possesses unique merits in making the logic of the formalism transparent as described in the following: i) Quantum electrodynamics can be formulated but for the help of potential operator even as a tool for calculation up to a final step. ii) Some restriction, which can be used to discuss propriety of gauge conditions, can be figured out. iii) By introducing a path-rearrangement operator, we can keep infinite variety of space-like pathes with the same end point throughout our formulation as they stand. iv) Several points which must be modified in the presence of magnetic monopole are closed up.     

Functional approach to scattering in quantum field theory

A functional approach to scattering theory in quantum field theory is developed by deriving an explicit functional expression fortransition amplitudes. In applications, the formalism avoids dealing with noncommutativity problems of field operators, avoids solving the field equations, avoids dealing with the often quite complicated continual (path) integrals, and avoids combinatoric problems associated with Feynman rules and the old-fashioned Wick's theorem. Finally, it avoids explicitly taking mass shell limits as in the LSZ formalism. The basic idea of the formalism is to use the quantum action principle followed by a systematic analysis of the concept of stimulated emissions as applied to particles of any spin, and is a generalization of an earlier method applied by the author to the much simpler situation of quantum mechanics.     

Inertia and Gravity: a New Approach to Dynamical Theory in General Relativity

A new approach to gravitational field dynamics is proposed, as an alternative to the standard formulation of General Relativity. The spacetime metric tensor is split, into an externally fixed background geometry (inertia) and a local dynamical field (gravity); and a dynamical theory of matter and gravity in the inertial background is developed. The physical origin of inertia (Mach's Principle), and its observable properties, are discussed. The coordinate representations of inertia and gravity are found to have an internal gauge degree of freedom, due to the Equivalence Principle; the transformation properties of these fields, and the notion of covariant gauge conditions, are discussed. The dynamics of matter and gravitic fields is then investigated, using: (i) The group of motion of the inertial background, appearing as an externally fixed Lie symmetry in the matter and gravity action principles, which yields weakly conserved energy-momentum-like objects; and (ii) an internal symmetry gauge group, yielding strongly conserved “internal currents”. A fully covariant field-theoretical formalism is used, in which all quantities and operations are tensorial; the well-known difficulties of “coordinate effects” in the standard nontensorial formulation are thus avoided. The physical significance of various types of conservation laws is discussed; and a complete family of energy-momentum tensors of gravity, covariantly conserved together with the matter energy-momentum, is deduced from a tensorial action principle. Treating gravity as an independent dynamical interaction, on an equal footing with other (matter) interactions, we are then finally led to the conclusion that the gravitic energy-momentum of a system is fully determined by the matter energy-momentum; various physical implications of this are discussed in some detail.     

The Quantum Formalism and the GRW Formalism

The Ghirardi–Rimini–Weber (GRW) theory of spontaneous wave function collapse is known to provide a quantum theory without observers, in fact two different ones by using either the matter density ontology (GRWm) or the flash ontology (GRWf). Both theories are known to make predictions different from those of quantum mechanics, but the difference is so small that no decisive experiment can as yet be performed. While some testable deviations from quantum mechanics have long been known, we provide here something that has until now been missing: a formalism that succinctly summarizes the empirical predictions of GRWm and GRWf. We call it the GRW formalism. Its structure is similar to that of the quantum formalism but involves different operators. In other words, we establish the validity of a general algorithm for directly computing the testable predictions of GRWm and GRWf. We further show that some well-defined quantities cannot be measured in a GRWm or GRWf world.     

Hidden symmetries in two dimensional field theory

The bosonization process elegantly shows the equivalence of massless scalar and fermion fields in two space-time dimensions. However, with multiple fermions the technique often obscures global symmetries. Witten’s non-Abelian bosonization makes these symmetries explicit, but at the expense of a somewhat complicated bosonic action. Frenkel and Kac have presented an intricate mathematical formalism relating the various approaches. Here, I reduce these arguments to the simplest case of a single massless scalar field. In particular, using only elementary quantum field theory concepts, I expose a hidden SU (2) × SU (2) chiral symmetry in this trivial theory. I then discuss in what sense this field should be interpreted as a Goldstone boson.     

Coupling of gravity to matter viaSO(3, 2) gauge fields

We consider gravity from the quantum field theory point of view and introduce a natural way of coupling gravity to matter by following the gauge principle for particle interactions. The energy-momentum tensor for the matter fields is shown to be conserved and follows as a consequence of the dynamics in a spontaneously brokenSO(3, 2) gauge theory of gravity. All known interactions are described by the gauge principle at the microscopic level.