Some stochastic aspects of quantization

From the advent of quantum mechanics, various types of stochastic-dynamical approach to quantum mechanics have been tried. We discuss how to utilize Nelson’s stochastic quantum mechanics to analyze the tunneling phenomena, how to derive relativistic field equations via the Poisson process and how to describe a quantum dynamics of open systems by the use of quantum state diffusion, or the stochastic Schrödinger equation.     

The Boltzmann equation from quantum field theory

We show from first principles the emergence of classical Boltzmann equations from relativistic nonequilibrium quantum field theory as described by the Kadanoff–Baym equations. Our method applies to a generic quantum field, coupled to a collection of background fields and sources, in a homogeneous and isotropic spacetime. The analysis is based on analytical solutions to the full Kadanoff–Baym equations, using the WKB approximation. This is in contrast to previous derivations of kinetic equations that rely on similar physical assumptions, but obtain approximate equations of motion from a gradient expansion in momentum space. We show that the system follows a generalized Boltzmann equation whenever the WKB approximation holds. The generalized Boltzmann equation, which includes off-shell transport, is valid far from equilibrium and in a time dependent background, such as the expanding universe.     

Diffusion front capturing schemes for a class of Fokker–Planck equations: Application to the relativistic heat equation

In this research work we introduce and analyze an explicit conservative finite difference scheme to approximate the solution of initial-boundary value problems for a class of limited diffusion Fokker–Planck equations under homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. We show stability and positivity preserving property under a Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy parabolic time step restriction. We focus on the relativistic heat equation as a model problem of the mentioned limited diffusion Fokker–Planck equations. We analyze its dynamics and observe the presence of a singular flux and an implicit combination of nonlinear effects that include anisotropic diffusion and hyperbolic transport. We present numerical approximations of the solution of the relativistic heat equation for a set of examples in one and two dimensions including continuous initial data that develops jump discontinuities in finite time. We perform the numerical experiments through a class of explicit high order accurate conservative and stable numerical schemes and a semi-implicit nonlinear Crank–Nicolson type scheme.     

Obliquely propagating quantum solitary waves in quantum‐magnetized plasma with ultra‐relativistic degenerate electrons and positrons

The oblique propagation of the quantum electrostatic solitary waves in magnetized relativistic quantum plasma is investigated using the quantum hydrodynamic equations. The plasma consists of dynamic relativistic degenerate electrons and positrons and a weakly relativistic ion beam. The Zakharov‐Kuznetsov equation is derived using the standard reductive perturbation technique that admits an obliquely propagating soliton solution. It is found that two types of quantum acoustic modes, that is, a slow acoustic mode and fast acoustic mode, could be propagated in our plasma model. The parameter that determines the nature of soliton, that is, compressive or rarefactive soliton, for slow mode is investigated. Our numerical results show that for the slow mode, the determining parameter is ion beam velocity in the case of relativistic degenerate electrons. We also have examined the effects of plasma parameters (like the beam velocity, the density ratio of positron to electron, the relativistic factor, and the propagation angle) on the characteristics of solitary waves.     

Soluble models for dynamics driven by a super-diffusive noise

We explicitly discuss scalar Langevin type of equations where the deterministic part is linear, but where the integrated noise source is a non-linear diffusion process exhibiting superdiffusive behavior. We calculate transient and stationary probabilities and study the possibility of noise induced transitions from a unimodal to a bimodal probability shape. Illustrations from finance and dynamical systems are given.     

A comment on the paper “Stochastic feedback, nonlinear families of Markov processes, and nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations” by T.D. Frank

The purpose of this comment is to correct mistaken assumptions and claims made in the paper “Stochastic feedback, nonlinear families of Markov processes, and nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations” by T. D. Frank [T.D. Frank, Stochastic feedback, non-linear families of Markov processes, and nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations, Physica A 331 (2004) 391]. Our comment centers on the claims of a “non-linear Markov process” and a “non-linear Fokker-Planck equation.” First, memory in transition densities is misidentified as a Markov process. Second, the paper assumes that one can derive a Fokker-Planck equation from a Chapman-Kolmogorov equation, but no proof was offered that a Chapman-Kolmogorov equation exists for the memory-dependent processes considered. A “non-linear Markov process” is claimed on the basis of a non-linear diffusion pde for a 1-point probability density. We show that, regardless of which initial value problem one may solve for the 1-point density, the resulting stochastic process, defined necessarily by the conditional probabilities (the transition probabilities), is either an ordinary linearly generated Markovian one, or else is a linearly generated non-Markovian process with memory. We provide explicit examples of diffusion coefficients that reflect both the Markovian and the memory-dependent cases. So there is neither a “non-linear Markov process”, nor a “non-linear Fokker-Planck equation” for a conditional probability density. The confusion rampant in the literature arises in part from labeling a non-linear diffusion equation for a 1-point probability density as “non-linear Fokker-Planck,” whereas neither a 1-point density nor an equation of motion for a 1-point density can define a stochastic process. In a closely related context, we point out that Borland misidentified a translation invariant 1-point probability density derived from a non-linear diffusion equation as a conditional probability density. Finally, in the Appendix A we present the theory of Fokker-Planck pdes and Chapman-Kolmogorov equations for stochastic processes with finite memory.     

Gauge invariance,lorentz covariance and the observer

We discuss a number of questions related to the role of the observer in classical and quantum theories of fields, in particular electrodynamics. We find the gauge-independent parts of the electromagnetic potential, which are classical observables, both in a non-covariant manner and in a Lorentz covariant, observer-dependent way. We present an analysis of the probabilistic interpretation of relativistic quantum mechanics, similar to that of the nonrelativistic theory, and discuss the gauge invariance of the corresponding probability amplitudes.     

Cartan–Weyl Dirac and Laplacian Operators,Brownian Motions: The Quantum Potential and Scalar Curvature,Maxwell’s and Dirac-Hestenes Equations,and Supersymmetric Systems

We present the Dirac and Laplacian operators on Clifford bundles over space–time, associated to metric compatible linear connections of Cartan–Weyl, with trace-torsion, Q. In the case of nondegenerate metrics, we obtain a theory of generalized Brownian motions whose drift is the metric conjugate of Q. We give the constitutive equations for Q. We find that it contains Maxwell’s equations, characterized by two potentials, an harmonic one which has a zero field (Bohm-Aharonov potential) and a coexact term that generalizes the Hertz potential of Maxwell’s equations in Minkowski space.We develop the theory of the Hertz potential for a general Riemannian manifold. We study the invariant state for the theory, and determine the decomposition of Q in this state which has an invariant Born measure. In addition to the logarithmic potential derivative term, we have the previous Maxwellian potentials normalized by the invariant density. We characterize the time-evolution irreversibility of the Brownian motions generated by the Cartan–Weyl laplacians, in terms of these normalized Maxwell’s potentials. We prove the equivalence of the sourceless Maxwell equation on Minkowski space, and the Dirac-Hestenes equation for a Dirac-Hestenes spinor field written on Minkowski space provided with a Cartan–Weyl connection. If Q is characterized by the invariant state of the diffusion process generated on Euclidean space, then the Maxwell’s potentials appearing in Q can be seen alternatively as derived from the internal rotational degrees of freedom of the Dirac-Hestenes spinor field, yet the equivalence between Maxwell’s equation and Dirac-Hestenes equations is valid if we have that these potentials have only two components corresponding to the spin-plane. We present Lorentz-invariant diffusion representations for the Cartan–Weyl connections that sustain the equivalence of these equations, and furthermore, the diffusion of differential forms along these Brownian motions. We prove that the construction of the relativistic Brownian motion theory for the flat Minkowski metric, follows from the choices of the degenerate Clifford structure and the Oron and Horwitz relativistic Gaussian, instead of the Euclidean structure and the orthogonal invariant Gaussian. We further indicate the random Poincaré–Cartan invariants of phase-space provided with the canonical symplectic structure. We introduce the energy-form of the exact terms of Q and derive the relativistic quantum potential from the groundstate representation. We derive the field equations corresponding to these exact terms from an average on the invariant state Cartan scalar curvature, and find that the quantum potential can be identified with 1 / 12R(g), where R(g) is the metric scalar curvature. We establish a link between an anisotropic noise tensor and the genesis of a gravitational field in terms of the generalized Brownian motions. Thus, when we have a nontrivial curvature, we can identify the quantum nonlocal correlations with the gravitational field. We discuss the relations of this work with the heat kernel approach in quantum gravity. We finally present for the case of Q restricted to this exact term a supersymmetric system, in the classical sense due to E.Witten, and discuss the possible extensions to include the electromagnetic potential terms of Q     

Exact flow equation for bound states

We develop a formalism to describe the formation of bound states in quantum field theory using an exact renormalization group flow equation. As a concrete example we investigate a nonrelativistic field theory with instantaneous interaction where the flow equations can be solved exactly. However, the formalism is more general and can be applied to relativistic field theories, as well. We also discuss expansion schemes that can be used to find approximate solutions of the flow equations including the essential momentum dependence.     

Conformal hydrodynamics in Minkowski and de Sitter spacetimes

We show how to generate non-trivial solutions to the conformally invariant, relativistic fluid dynamic equations by appealing to the Weyl covariance of the stress tensor. We use this technique to show that a recently studied solution of the relativistic conformally invariant Navier–Stokes equations in four-dimensional Minkowski space can be recast as a static flow in three-dimensional de Sitter space times a line. The simplicity of the de Sitter form of the flow enables us to consider several generalizations of it, including flows in other spacetime dimensions, second order viscous corrections, and linearized perturbations. We also construct the anti-de Sitter dual of the original four-dimensional flow. Finally, we discuss possible applications to nuclear physics.     

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.     

Shock wave formation in hot nuclear matter

Assuming that nuclear matter can be treated as a perfect fluid, we study the propagation of perturbations in the baryon density at high temperature. The equation of state is derived from the non-linear Walecka model. The expansion of the Euler and continuity equations of relativistic hydrodynamics around equilibrium configurations lead to the breaking wave equation for the density perturbation. We solve it numerically for this perturbation and follow the propagation of the initial pulses.     

On Three Magnetic Relativistic Schr?dinger Operators and Imaginary-Time Path Integrals

Three magnetic relativistic Schr?dinger operators are considered corresponding to the classical relativistic Hamiltonian symbol with magnetic vector and electric scalar potentials. We discuss their difference in general and their coincidence in the case of constant magnetic fields, as well as whether they are covariant under gauge transformation. Then results are surveyed on path integral representations for their respective imaginary-time relativistic Schr?dinger equations, i.e. heat equations, by means of the probability path space measure coming from the Lévy process concerned.     

Relativistic Ornstein–Uhlenbeck Process

We wish to shed some light on the problem of thermodynamic irreversibility in the relativistic framework. Therefore, we propose a relativistic stochastic process based on a generalization of the usual Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process: we introduce a relativistic version of the Langevin equation with a damping term which has the correct Galilean limit. We then deduce relativistic Kramers and Fokker–Planck equations and a fluctuation-dissipation theorem is derived from them. Finally, numerical simulations are used to check the equilibrium distribution in momentum space and to investigate diffusion in physical space.     

Stochastic feedback,nonlinear families of Markov processes,and nonlinear Fokker–Planck equations

We discuss two fundamental aspects of Fokker–Planck equations that are nonlinear with respect to probability densities. First, we show that evolution equations of this kind describe processes involving stochastic feedback and interpret stochastic feedback processes in terms of hitchhiker processes and path integral solutions. Second, we demonstrate that nonlinear Fokker–Planck equations can be interpreted as linear Fokker–Planck equations describing nonlinear families of Markov diffusion processes. We exploit this finding in order to derive complete hierarchies of probability densities from nonlinear Fokker–Planck equations.     

Cooper Pair Formation by Quantizing Brownian Motion

We derive a new quantum interaction by quantizing the Brownian motion based on the Nelson equations. By applying the canonical quantization for the equations, interaction as the connection of Brownian and quantum motions appears. Interesting aspect is that it can overcome the Coulomb repulsion if the diffusion coefficient is large enough. As the parameters are mass, diffusion coefficient, and probability density, we can calculate and predict the Cooper pair formation with measurable variables.     

On the Newtonian limit of general relativity

We establish rigorous results about the Newtonian limit of general relativity by applying to it the theory of different time scales for non-linear partial differential equations as developed in [4, 1, 8]. Roughly speaking, we obtain a priori estimates for solutions to the Einstein's equations, an intermediate, but fundamental, step to show that given a Newtonian solution there exist continuous one-parameter families of solutions to the full Einstein's equations — the parameter being the inverse of the speed of light — which for a finite amount of time are close to the Newtonian solution. These one-parameter families are chosen via aninitialization procedure applied to the initial data for the general relativistic solutions. This procedure allows one to choose the initial data in such a way as to obtain a relativistic solution close to the Newtonian solution in any a priori given Sobolev norm. In some intuitive sense these relativistic solutions, by being close to the Newtonian one, have little extra radiation content (although, actually, this should be so only in the case of the characteristic initial data formulation along future directed light cones).Our results are local, in the sense that they do not include the treatment of asymptotic regions; global results are admittedly very important — in particular they would say how differentiable the solutions are with respect to the parameter — but their treatment would involve the handling of tools even more technical than the ones used here. On the other hand, this local theory is all that is needed for most problems of practical numerical computation.