Ground state structure in supersymmetric quantum mechanics

We present a rigorous analysis of the vacuum structure of two models of supersymmetric quantum mechanics. They are the quantum mechanics versions of the two-dimensional N = 1 and N = 2 Wess-Zumino quantum field models. We find that the N = 2 quantum mechanics has degenerate vacua. The space of vacuum states is bosonic, and its dimension is determined by the topological properties of the superpotential.     

Probability density in the complex plane

The correspondence principle asserts that quantum mechanics resembles classical mechanics in the high-quantum-number limit. In the past few years, many papers have been published on the extension of both quantum mechanics and classical mechanics into the complex domain. However, the question of whether complex quantum mechanics resembles complex classical mechanics at high energy has not yet been studied. This paper introduces the concept of a local quantum probability density ρ(z) in the complex plane. It is shown that there exist infinitely many complex contours C of infinite length on which ρ(z) dz is real and positive. Furthermore, the probability integral is finite. Demonstrating the existence of such contours is the essential element in establishing the correspondence between complex quantum and classical mechanics. The mathematics needed to analyze these contours is subtle and involves the use of asymptotics beyond all orders.     

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.     

Time asymmetries in classical and in nonclassical physics

A comparative study is made of the eigenvalue problems of electromagnetics and quantum mechanics, with special reference to the operations of spatial inversionP and time inversionT. Electromagnetics, which permits closer agreement with the dictates of relativity (when the latter is extended toP andT), exhibits characteristic differences with respect to quantum mechanics. An evaluation of these distinctions is presented against the backdrop of a choice between absolute scalar action and charge versus pseudoscalar action and charge.     

A probabilistic analysis of the difficulties of unifying quantum mechanics with the theory of relativity

A procedure is given for the transformation of quantum mechanical operator equations into stochastic equations. The stochastic equations reveal a simple correlation between quantum mechanics and classical mechanics: Quantum mechanics operates with “optimal estimations,” classical mechanics is the limit of “complete information.” In this connection, Schrödinger's substitution relationsp _x → -i? ?/?x, etc, reveal themselves as exact mathematical transformation formulas. The stochastic version of quantum mechanical equations provides an explanation for the difficulties in correlating quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity: In physics “time” is always thought of as a numerical parameter; but in the present formalism of physics “time” is described by two formally totally different quantities. One of these two “times” is a numerical parameter and the other a random variable. This last concept of time shows all the properties required by the theory of relativity and is therefore to be considered as the relativistic time.     

Thermodynamics is more powerful than the role to it reserved by Boltzmann-Gibbs statistical mechanics

We briefly review the connection between statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. We show that, in order to satisfy thermo-dynamics and its Legendre transformation mathematical frame, the celebrated Boltzmann-Gibbs (BG) statistical mechanics is sufficient but not necessary. Indeed, the N →∞ limit of statistical mechanics is expected to be consistent with thermodynamics. For systems whose elements are generically independent or quasi-independent in the sense of the theory of probabilities, it is well known that the BG theory (based on the additive BG entropy) does satisfy this expectation. However, in complete analogy, other thermostatistical theories (e.g., q-statistics), based on nonadditive entropic functionals, also satisfy the very same expectation. We illustrate this standpoint with systems whose elements are strongly correlated in a specific manner, such that they escape the BG realm.     

Quantum mechanics,knot theory,and quantum doubles

In previous papers we have described quantum mechanics as a matrix symplectic geometry and showed the existence of a braiding and Hopf algebra structure behind our lattice quantum phase space. The first aim of this work is to give the defining commutation relations of the quantum Weyl-Schwinger-Heisenberg group associated with our ℜ-matrix solution. The second aim is to describe the knot formalism at work behind the matrix quantum mechanics. In this context, the quantum mechanics of a particle-antiparticle system (pˉp) moving in the quantum phase space is viewed as a quantum double.     

Relativity and quantum mechanics

Conditions under which quantum mechanics can be made compatible with the curved space-time of gravitation theories is investigated. A postulate is imposed in the formv=v _g wherev is the kinematical Hamilton-Jacobi (geometric optic limit) velocity andv _g is the group velocity of the waves. This imposes a severe condition on the possible coordinates in which the Schrödinger form (the coordinate realization) of quantum mechanics can be set up for purposes of calculating observable effects. Some such effects are calculated for a class of theories and are compared with experiments.     

Aspects of supersymmetric quantum mechanics

We review the properties of supersymmetric quantum mechanics for a class of models proposed by Witten. Using both Hamiltonian and path integral formulations, we give general conditions for which supersymmetry is broken (unbroken) by quantum fluctuations. The spectrum of states is discussed, and a virial theorem is derived for the energy. We also show that the euclidean path integral for supersymmetric quantum mechanics is equivalent to a classical stochastic process when the supersymmetry is unbroken (E₀ = 0). By solving a Fokker-Planck equation for the classical probability distribution, we find P_c(y) is identical to |Ψ₀(y)|² in the quantum theory.     

The Nambu mechanics as a class of singular generalized dynamical formalisms

In a recent work Nambu has proposed ac-number dynamical formalism which can allow an odd numbern of canonical variables. Naturally associated to this new mechanics there exists ann-linear bracket whose study opens interesting possibilities. The purpose of this work is to show that besides this bracket another one which is bilinear and in fact a Lie bracket can also be associated with the Nambu mechanics. For anyn, however, this bracket is singular. In a sense previously used by the present author, this result exhibits the Nambu mechanics as an interesting class of singular generalized dynamical formalisms irrespective of the number of phase space variables. Reasons are given suggesting that such singular formalisms would be, within our context, the only ones capable of describing classical analogues of generalized quantum systems.     

The renormalization group and the ϵ expansion

The modern formulation of the renormalization group is explained for both critical phenomena in classical statistical mechanics and quantum field theory. The expansion in ? = 4?d is explained [d is the dimension of space (statistical mechanics) or space-time (quantum field theory)]. The emphasis is on principles, not particular applications. Sections 1–8 provide a self-contained introduction at a fairly elementary level to the statistical mechanical theory. No background is required except for some prior experience with diagrams. In particular, a diagrammatic approximation to an exact renormalization group equation is presented in sections 4 and 5; sections 6–8 include the approximate renormalization group recursion formula and the Feyman graph method for calculating exponents. Sections 10–13 go deeper into renormalization group theory (section 9 presents a calculation of anomalous dimensions). The equivalence of quantum field theory and classical statistical mechanics near the critical point is established in section 10; sections 11–13 concern problems common to both subjects. Specific field theoretic references assume some background in quantum field theory. An exact renormalization group equation is presented in section 11; sections 12 and 13 concern fundamental topological questions.     

Electrodynamique stochastique et mécanique quantique

Numerous quantum-like results are obtained in stochastic electrodynamics. However, the latter has not the interpretation difficulties of quantum mechanics. K, a constant of stochastic electrodynamics is not a fundamental constant as is ?, the corresponding constant in quantum mechanics.     

Fractional supersymmetry as a superposition of ordinary supersymmetry

It is shown how to derive fractional supersymmetric quantum mechanics of order k as a superposition of k-1 copies of ordinary supersymmetric quantum mechanics.     

Nonextensive entropies derived from Gauss? principle

Gauss? principle in statistical mechanics is generalized for a q-exponential distribution in nonextensive statistical mechanics. It determines the associated stochastic and statistical nonextensive entropies which satisfy Greene-Callen principle concerning on the equivalence between microcanonical and canonical ensembles.     

Quantum mechanics and geometric analysis on manifolds

A central idea of modern geometric analysis is the assignment of a geometric structure, usually called thesymbol, to a differential operator. It is known that this operation is closely related to quantum mechanics. For a class of linear operators, including the Dirac operator, a geometric structure, called aco-Riemannian metric, is assigned to such symbols. Certain other topics related to the geometric structure of quantum mechanics, e.g., the symplectic structure of the projective space of Hilbert space, are briefly treated.     

Fractional dimensional Fock space and Haldane's exclusion statistics: q/p case and t−J model

The discussion of fractional dimensional Hilbert spaces in the context of Haldane exclusion statistics is extended from the case of g = 1/p for the statistical parameter to the case of rational g = q/p with q,p coprime positive integers. The corresponding statistical mechanics for a gas of such particles is constructed. This procedure is used to define the statistical mechanics for particles with irrational g. Applications to strongly correlated systems such as the Hubbard and t−J models are discussed.     

Are wave mechanics and matrix mechanics equivalent theories?

The Eckart and Schrödinger proofs of 1926 are often described as having established the equivalence of wave mechanics and matrix mechanics as physical theories. The objective of this paper is to show that these “proofs” establish nothing of the kind. The Eckart-Schrödinger “proofs” have to do only with the formal identity of two different calculi. The question is, do the “proofs” establish the mathematical identity ofC ₁ andC ₂? Two views are possible: (1) Eckart and Schrödinger subsumed wave mechanics (C ₁) and matrix mechanics (C ₂) within a more comprehensive theory — which might be called “the operator calculus” (O). From this alone it does not follow thatC ₁ andC ₂ are formally identical. In general, the identity of two theories can never be established just by the fact that they both follow from the same premise. The other view (2) is thatO is simply a logical transformer which converts any statement ofC ₁ into a corresponding statement ofC ₂ — without adding any theoretical content of its own. That this is so could never beproved by an inductive selection of typical problems within microphysics; yet this is the actual procedure of Eckart and Schrödinger. Strictly speaking, one could consistently doubt thatC ₁ andC ₂ are ultimately identical even after sympathetically entertaining the Eckart-Schrödinger “proofs”. The really convincing argument for the equivalence asphysical theories of wave mechanics and matrix mechanics was provided by Born's statistical interpretation of theψ-function. Because here, in a frankly inductive procedure, Bornforces a physical interpretation onto bothC ₁ andC ₂ which at last makes it a matter of indifference which algorithm one chooses to express his predictions.