Amplitude phase-space model for quantum mechanics

We show that there is a close relationship between quantum mechanics and ordinary probability theory. The main difference is that in quantum mechanics the probability is computed in terms of an amplitude function, while in probability theory a probability distribution is used. Applying this idea, we then construct an amplitude model for quantum mechanics on phase space. In this model, states are represented by amplitude functions and observables are represented by functions on phase space. If we now postulate a conjugation condition, the model provides the same predictions as conventional quantum mechanics. In particular, we obtain the usual quantum marginal probabilities, conditional probabilities and expectations. The commutation relations and uncertainty principle also follow. Moreover Schrödinger's equation is shown to be an averaged version of Hamilton's equation in classical mechanics.     

Hidden measurement model for pure and mixed states of quantum physics in Euclidean space

We propose a representation of quantum mechanics where all pure and mixed states of a n-dimensional quantum entity are represented as points of a subset of an ²-dimensional real space. We introduce the general measurements of quantum mechanics on this entity, determined by sets of mutual orthogonal points of the representation space. Within this framework we construct a hidden measurement model for an arbitrary finite dimensional quantum entity.     

Decoherence effects in Bose–Einstein condensate interferometry I. General theory

The present paper outlines a basic theoretical treatment of decoherence and dephasing effects in interferometry based on single component Bose–Einstein condensates in double potential wells, where two condensate modes may be involved. Results for both two mode condensates and the simpler single mode condensate case are presented. The approach involves a hybrid phase space distribution functional method where the condensate modes are described via a truncated Wigner representation, whilst the basically unoccupied non-condensate modes are described via a positive P representation. The Hamiltonian for the system is described in terms of quantum field operators for the condensate and non-condensate modes. The functional Fokker–Planck equation for the double phase space distribution functional is derived. Equivalent Ito stochastic equations for the condensate and non-condensate fields that replace the field operators are obtained, and stochastic averages of products of these fields give the quantum correlation functions that can be used to interpret interferometry experiments. The stochastic field equations are the sum of a deterministic term obtained from the drift vector in the functional Fokker–Planck equation, and a noise field whose stochastic properties are determined from the diffusion matrix in the functional Fokker–Planck equation. The stochastic properties of the noise field terms are similar to those for Gaussian–Markov processes in that the stochastic averages of odd numbers of noise fields are zero and those for even numbers of noise field terms are the sums of products of stochastic averages associated with pairs of noise fields. However each pair is represented by an element of the diffusion matrix rather than products of the noise fields themselves, as in the case of Gaussian–Markov processes. The treatment starts from a generalised mean field theory for two condensate modes, where generalised coupled Gross–Pitaevskii equations are obtained for the modes and matrix mechanics equations are derived for the amplitudes describing possible fragmentations of the condensate between the two modes. These self-consistent sets of equations are derived via the Dirac–Frenkel variational principle. Numerical studies for interferometry experiments would involve using the solutions from the generalised mean field theory in calculations for the stochastic fields from the Ito stochastic field equations.     

Scanning LLL x-ray interferometry

A new formalism is presented for the theory of scanning LLL x-ray interferometry, which takes account also of the amount of x-ray absorption and of crystal yawing. It is based on the Takagi approach to the dynamical theory of x-ray diffraction and uses, to a great extent, the formalism of quantum mechanics, in order to reduce the algebraic complexity of the Ewald-von Laue approach. The formalism presented here is an easy-to-handle tool for the study of x-ray propagation in multicrystal systems and for the investigation into deviations of the travelling-fringe period from the spacing of diffracting planes, as it explains how interference features change when moving in paramater space.     

多光子纠缠实验新进展--五光子纠缠技术及终端开放的隐形传态实验

在实验上发展了多光子纠缠技术,利用已有的四光子纠缠技术结合新发展的单光子源技术,在世界上第一次实现了五光子纠缠．并在此基础上实现了新型的量子隐形传态——终端开放的隐形传态．实验结果在量子力学基础问题的检验、信息论、密码学和量子计算等重要应用方向上,都具有显著的意义和价值．实验方法将大大促进未来网络化量子通信、线性光学量子计算、量子力学基础检验等重要科学问题的研究。     

Tunneling time in space fractional quantum mechanics

We calculate the time taken by a wave packet to travel through a classically forbidden region of space in space fractional quantum mechanics. We obtain the close form expression of tunneling time from a rectangular barrier by stationary phase method. We show that tunneling time depends upon the width b of the barrier for $b\to \infty$ and therefore Hartman effect doesn't exist in space fractional quantum mechanics. Interestingly we found that the tunneling time monotonically reduces with increasing b. The tunneling time is smaller in space fractional quantum mechanics as compared to the case of standard quantum mechanics. We recover the Hartman effect of standard quantum mechanics as a special case of space fractional quantum mechanics.     

New inertial and gravitational effects made measurable by atomic beam interferometry

The aim of this letter is to draw attention to the fact that using atomic beam interferometry two new types of gravi-inertial effects are now within the range of measurability. Beyond the term linear in the earth's acceleration g, an effect quadratic in the acceleration seems to be observable. Furthermore, with regard to rotation, in addition to the Sagnac effect, a spin-rotation effect may be measurable. The respective experiments are of fundamental theoretical importance with regard to quantum mechanics in non-inertial reference frames and to the influence of gravity on quantum systems.     

The reality and dimension of space and the complexity of quantum mechanics

The dimension (and signature) of space is a result of distances being real numbers and quantum mechanical state functions being complex ones; it is an inescapable consequence of quantum mechanics and group theory. So nonrelativistic quantum mechanics cannot be complete (it requiresad hoc additional assumptions) and consistent (nor can classical physics), leading to relativity, quantum mechanics, and field theory. Implications of the constraints of consistency and physical reasonableness and of group theory for the structure of these theories are considered. It appears that there are simple, perhaps unavoidable reasons for the laws of physics, the nature of the world they describe, and the space in which they act.     

Homogeneous Decoherence Functionals¶in Standard and History Quantum Mechanics

General history quantum theories are quantum theories without a globally defined notion of time. Decoherence functionals represent the states in the history approach and are defined as certain bivariate complex-valued functionals on the space of all histories. However, in practical situations – for instance in the history formulation of standard quantum mechanics – there often is a global time direction and the homogeneous decoherence functionals are specified by their values on the subspace of homogeneous histories. In this work we study the analytic properties of (i) the standard decoherence functional in the history version of standard quantum mechanics and (ii) homogeneous decoherence functionals in general history theories. We restrict ourselves to the situation where the space of histories is given by the lattice of projections on some Hilbert space ℋ. Among other things we prove the non-existence of a finitely valued extension for the standard decoherence functional to the space of all histories, derive a representation for the standard decoherence functional as an unbounded quadratic form with a natural representation on a Hilbert space and prove the existence of an Isham–Linden–Schreckenberg (ILS) type representation for the standard decoherence functional. Received: 26 November 1998 / Accepted: 2 December 1998     

非对易相空间中的狄拉克振子的能级和Wigner函数

非对易几何、弦论和圈量子引力理论的发展,使非对易空间受到越来越多的关注.非对易量子理论不同于平常的量子理论,它是弦尺度下的特殊的物理效应,处理非对易量子力学问题需要特殊方法.本文首先介绍了Moyal方程与Wigner函数,利用Moyal-Weyl乘法与Bopp变换将H(x,p)变换成^H(^x,^p),考虑坐标—坐标、动量—动量的非对易性,实现对非对易相空间中星乘本征方程的求解.并利用非对易相空间量子力学的代数关系,讨论了非对易相空间中狄拉克振子的Wigner函数和能级,研究结果发现非对易相空间中狄拉克振子的能级明显依赖于非对易参数.     

Relativistic quantum mechanics over stochastic phase space

Stochastic quantum mechanics is a quantum theory in which the basic limitations of real-world measuring instruments, due to their intrinsically quantum nature, are taken into account. Among other things this leads to a new operational definition of space-time, called quantum space-time. Fundamental to this approach is the formulation of quantum mechanics over phase space rather than just over position or momentum space. A concept of extended particle is a natural outgrowth of this development. Gauge and internal symmetry have a natural place within the theory, and preliminary computations combining some old ideas due to Born with more recent ideas on symmetry breaking suggest that the theory could lead to a mass formula compatible with known data on the low-lying baryons.Supported in part by NSERC Grant, No. A8403.     

超冷原子系综的非高斯纠缠态与精密测量

量子精密测量是基于量子力学的基本原理对特定物理量实施测量,并利用量子效应提高测量精度的交叉科学.随着超冷原子实验技术的发展,超冷原子为量子精密测量提供了一个优异的研究平台.利用发展成熟的量子调控技术,人们可以基于超冷原子系综制备一些新奇的非高斯多粒子纠缠态.基于多体量子干涉,利用这些非高斯纠缠态作为输入,可以实现超越标准量子极限的高精度测量.本文简要综述这一研究领域的进展.     

Quantum Blobs

Quantum blobs are the smallest phase space units of phase space compatible with the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics and having the symplectic group as group of symmetries. Quantum blobs are in a bijective correspondence with the squeezed coherent states from standard quantum mechanics, of which they are a phase space picture. This allows us to propose a substitute for phase space in quantum mechanics. We study the relationship between quantum blobs with a certain class of level sets defined by Fermi for the purpose of representing geometrically quantum states.     

New relativistic gravitational effects using charged-particle interferometry

A new class of gravitational effects, in the quantum interference of charged particles, are studied in electron interferometry and superconducting Josephson interferometry. These include phase shifts due to the gravitationally induced Schiff-Barnhill field, rotationally induced London moment, and the modification of the Aharonov-Bohm type of phase shifts, due to the general relativistic coupling of the electromagnetic field to the gravitational field. These effects are interesting, even from a purely theoretical point of view, because they involve an elegant interplay between gravitation, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. But new predictions are also made which, if confirmed, would provide the first observation of relativistic gravitational effects, involving the electric charge, at the quantum mechanical level. The possibility of using these effects to detect gravitational waves is also discussed.This essay received the first award from the Gravity Research Foundation for the year 1983-Ed.     

Finite-dimensional quantum mechanics of a particle. II

The finite-dimensional quantum mechanics (FDQM) based on Weyl’s form of Heisenberg’s canonical commutation relations, developed for the case of one-dimensional space, is extended to three-dimensional space. This FDQM is applicable to the physics of particles confined to move within finite regions of space and is significantly different from the current quantum mechanics in the case of atomic and subatomic particles only when the region of confinement is extremely small—of the order of nuclear or even smaller dimensions. The configuration space of such a particle has a quantized eigenstructure with a characteristic dependence on its rest mass and dimension of the region of confinement, and the current Schrödinger-Heisenberg formalism of quantum mechanics becomes an asymptotic approximation of this FDQM. As an example, a spherical harmonic oscillator with a particular radius of confinement is considered.     

Nonstandard extension of quantum logic and Dirac's bra-ket formalism of quantum mechanics

An extension of the quantum logical approach to the axiomatization of quantum mechanics usingnonstandard analysis methods is proposed. The physical meaning of a quantum logic as a lattice of propositions is conserved by its nonstandard extension. But not only the usual Hubert space formalism of quantum mechanics can be derived from the nonstandard extended quantum logic. Also the Dirac bra-ket quantum mechanics can be derived as a consequence of such an extended quantum logic.     

On the equivalence principle in quantum theory

The role of the equivalence principle in the context of non-relativistic quantum mechanics and matter wave interferometry, especially atom beam interferometry, will be discussed. A generalised form of the weak equivalence principle which is capable of covering quantum phenomena too, will be proposed. It is shown that this generalised equivalence principle is valid for matter wave interferometry and for the dynamics of expectation values. In addition, the use of this equivalence principle makes it possible to determine the structure of the interaction of quantum systems with gravitational and inertial fields. It is also shown that the path of the mean value of the position operator in the case of gravitational interaction does fulfill this generalised equivalence principle.     

Quantum Interference, Quantum Theory of Measurement, and (In)completeness of Quantum Mechanics

The new techniques and ideas in quantum interferometry with neutrons, photons, atoms, electrons, and Bose condensates that fluorished in the last two decades have influenced in a decisive way the thinking and the research in the foundations and interpretation of quantum mechanics. The controversies existing among different schools on the reality of matter waves of quantum theory, the postulates of quantum measurement theory, and the (in)completeness of quantum mechanics have to be approached now in a new way. Our argumentation follows the spirit of the Paris school.