Quantum theory as an indication of a new order in physics. Part A. The development of new orders as shown through the history of physics

In this paper, we discuss the general significance of order in physics, as a first step toward the development of new notions of order. We begin with a brief historical discussion of the notions of order underlying ancient Greek views, and then go on to show how these changed in key ways with the rise of classical physics. This leads to a broader view of the significance of order, which helps to indicate what is to be meant by a change of our general notions of order in physics. We then go into relativity and quantum theory, showing how these developments actually did bring in further new notions of order, which are however inconsistent and otherwise inadequate in certain ways. Finally, using these inconsistencies and inadequacies as clues or indications for yet a further new concept of order, we make some proposals for novel directions of inquiry (to be discussed in some detail in later papers) which could lead to theories as different from relativity and quantum theory as these are from classical physics.     

Gauge fixing and renormalization in topological quantum field theory

We show how Witten's topological Yang-Mills and gravitational quantum field theories may be obtained by a straightforward BRST gauge fixing procedure. We investigate some aspects of the renormalization of the topological Yang-Mills theory. It is found that the beta function for the Yang-Mills coupling constant is not zero.     

The structure of states and maps in quantum theory

The structure of statistical state spaces in the classical and quantum theories are compared in an interesting and novel manner. Quantum state spaces and maps on them have rich convex structures arising from the superposition principle and consequent entanglement. Communication channels (physical processes) in the quantum scheme of things are in one-to-one correspondence with completely positive maps. Positive maps which are not completely positive do not correspond to physical processes. Nevertheless they prove to be invaluable mathematical tools in establishing or witnessing entanglement of mixed states. We consider some of the recent developments in our understanding of the convex structure of states and maps in quantum theory, particularly in the context of quantum information theory.     

Comprehensive solution to the cosmological constant,zero-point energy,and quantum gravity problems

We present a solution to the cosmological constant, the zero-point energy, and the quantum gravity problems within a single comprehensive framework. We show that in quantum theories of gravity in which the zero-point energy density of the gravitational field is well-defined, the cosmological constant and zero-point energy problems solve each other by mutual cancellation between the cosmological constant and the matter and gravitational field zero-point energy densities. Because of this cancellation, regulation of the matter field zero-point energy density is not needed, and thus does not cause any trace anomaly to arise. We exhibit our results in two theories of gravity that are well-defined quantum-mechanically. Both of these theories are locally conformal invariant, quantum Einstein gravity in two dimensions and Weyl-tensor-based quantum conformal gravity in four dimensions (a fourth-order derivative quantum theory of the type that Bender and Mannheim have recently shown to be ghost-free and unitary). Central to our approach is the requirement that any and all departures of the geometry from Minkowski are to be brought about by quantum mechanics alone. Consequently, there have to be no fundamental classical fields, and all mass scales have to be generated by dynamical condensates. In such a situation the trace of the matter field energy-momentum tensor is zero, a constraint that obliges its cosmological constant and zero-point contributions to cancel each other identically, no matter how large they might be. In our approach quantization of the gravitational field is caused by its coupling to quantized matter fields, with the gravitational field not needing any independent quantization of its own. With there being no a priori classical curvature, one does not have to make it compatible with quantization.     

Einstein–Cartan gravity,Asymptotic Safety,and the running Immirzi parameter

In this paper we analyze the functional renormalization group flow of quantum gravity on the Einstein–Cartan theory space. The latter consists of all action functionals depending on the spin connection and the vielbein field (co-frame) which are invariant under both spacetime diffeomorphisms and local frame rotations. In the first part of the paper we develop a general methodology and corresponding calculational tools which can be used to analyze the flow equation for the pertinent effective average action for any truncation of this theory space. In the second part we apply it to a specific three-dimensional truncated theory space which is parametrized by Newton’s constant, the cosmological constant, and the Immirzi parameter. A comprehensive analysis of their scale dependences is performed, and the possibility of defining an asymptotically safe theory on this hitherto unexplored theory space is investigated. In principle Asymptotic Safety of metric gravity (at least at the level of the effective average action) is neither necessary nor sufficient for Asymptotic Safety on the Einstein–Cartan theory space which might accommodate different “universality classes” of microscopic quantum gravity theories. Nevertheless, we do find evidence for the existence of at least one non-Gaussian renormalization group fixed point which seems suitable for the Asymptotic Safety construction in a setting where the spin connection and the vielbein are the fundamental field variables.     

Some speculations on a causal unification of relativity,gravitation, and quantum mechanics

Some speculations on a causal model that could provide a common conceptual foundation for relativity, gravitation, and quantum mechanics are presented. The present approach is a unification of three theories, the first being the repulsive theory of gravitational forces first proposed by Lesage in the eighteenth century. Lesage attempted to explain gravitational forces from the principle of conservation of momentum of some hypothetical particles, which we shall call gravitons. These gravitons, whose density is assumed homogenous, are constantly colliding with objects. The gravitational force is caused by a shielding effect of bodies when they are near each other. One also can make a clear physical distinction between an accelerating and a nonaccelerating object from this viewpoint. The second of these theories is the Brownian motion theory of quantum mechanics or stochastic mechanics, which treats the nondeterministic nature of quantum mechanics as being due to a Brownian motion of all objects. This Brownian motion being caused by the statistical variation in the graviton flux. The above two theories are unified in this article with the causal theory of special relativity. Within the present context, the time dilations (and other effects) of relativity are explained by assuming that the rate of a clock is a function of the total number or intensity of gravitons and the average frequency or energy of the gravitons that the clock receives. Two clocks having some relative velocity in the same intensity gravitational field would then have a different rate because the average frequency of the gravitons would be different for each clock owing to the Doppler effect. That is, they would essentially be in different fields considering both the frequency and intensity. The special theory would then be the special case of the general theory where the intensity is constant but the average frequency varies. In all the previous it is necessary to assume a particular model of the creation of the universe, namely the Big Bang theory. This assumption gives us the existence of a preferred reference frame, the frame in which the Big Bang explosion was at rest. The above concepts of graviton distribution and real time dilations become meaningful by assuming the Big Bang theory along with this preferred frame. An experimental test is proposed.     

The a-theorem

The c-theorem is a profound result applying to statistical mechanical theories or quantum field theories in two dimensions. Such theories may be described by a set of parameters which vary as we increase or decrease the scale on which we observe the system, until we reach a fixed point or critical point where the couplings have fixed values. The c-theorem defines a quantity (the c-function) which always increases (or is constant) with increasing scale and thereby gives a valuable insight into the ‘flows’ of the couplings between fixed points. The a-theorem is a proposed generalisation of the c-theorem to higher dimensions, especially four. In this article, we describe the c-theorem, starting in the simpler statistical mechanical context and then showing how in quantum field theory the theorem is most easily formulated in a curved spacetime. We then sketch how these concepts are applied in the more technically complex scenario of four dimensions.     

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.     

M-theory: Strings,duality and branes

String theory is an attempt to combine all of the known physical forces into a single unified framework. A powerful new type of duality symmetry has recently been discovered in string theory which has led to important breakthroughs. What were previously considered to be five distinct string theories are now known to be different aspects of an underlying structure called M-theory. In addition to strings, extended objects of higher dimension or 'branes', play a key role. We review these developments and discuss the impact that they are having on quantum field theory and the quantum properties of black holes.     

Outline of a classical theory of quantum physics and gravitation

It is argued that in the manner in which the Galilean-Newtonian physics may be said to have explained the Ptolemaic-Copernican theories in terms which have since been called classical, so also Milner's theories of the structure of matter may be said to explain present day quantum and relativistic theory. In both cases the former employ the concept of force and the latter, by contrast, are geometrical theories. Milner envisaged space as being stressed, whereas Einstein thought of it as strained. Development of Milner's theory from criticisms and suggestions made by Kilmister has taken it further into the realms of quantum and gravitational physics, where it is found to give a more physically comprehensible explanation of the phenomena. Further, it shows why present day quantum theory is cast in a statistical form. The theory is supported by many predictions such as the ratio of Planck's constant to the mass of the electron, the value of the fine structure constant and reason for apparent variations in past measurements, the magnetic moment of the electron and proton of the stable particles such as the neutron Λ and Σ together with the kaon, and a relation between the universal gravitational constant and Hubble's constant—all within published experimental accuracy. The latest results to be accounted for by the theory are the masses of the newly discovered ψ particles and confirmation of the value of the decay of Newton's gravitational constant obtained from lunar measurements. While this paper is being typed, new particles are rapidly being discovered—the latest being a neutral ψ particle. A short Appendix discusses the significance of these.     

Using quantum theory to improve measurement precision

Progress in science is inextricably linked with how well we can observe the world around us. It is by making increasingly better measurements that scientific theories are tested and refined. In this article we address the question of what the ultimate limit to measurement precision is and how it could be achieved in the laboratory. We focus on how, by making use of quantum theory, it is possible to make better measurements than anything that can be achieved with classical techniques. This opens the door to an array of new technologies and could help answer some of science's most engaging questions.     

Notes on generalized global symmetries in QFT

It was recently argued that quantum field theories possess one‐form and higher‐form symmetries, labelled ‘generalized global symmetries.’ In this paper, we describe how those higher‐form symmetries can be understood mathematically as special cases of more general 2‐groups and higher groups, and discuss examples of quantum field theories admitting actions of more general higher groups than merely one‐form and higher‐form symmetries. We discuss analogues of topological defects for some of these higher symmetry groups, relating some of them to ordinary topological defects. We also discuss topological defects in cases in which the moduli ‘space’ (technically, a stack) admits an action of a higher symmetry group. Finally, we outline a proposal for how certain anomalies might potentially be understood as describing a transmutation of an ordinary group symmetry of the classical theory into a 2‐group or higher group symmetry of the quantum theory, which we link to WZW models and bosonization.     

Interferometric Computation Beyond Quantum Theory

There are quantum solutions for computational problems that make use of interference at some stage in the algorithm. These stages can be mapped into the physical setting of a single particle travelling through a many-armed interferometer. There has been recent foundational interest in theories beyond quantum theory. Here, we present a generalized formulation of computation in the context of a many-armed interferometer, and explore how theories can differ from quantum theory and still perform distributed calculations in this set-up. We shall see that quaternionic quantum theory proves a suitable candidate, whereas box-world does not. We also find that a classical hidden variable model first presented by Spekkens (Phys Rev A 75(3): 32100, 2007) can also be used for this type of computation due to the epistemic restriction placed on the hidden variable.     

Topological phases of quantum theories. Chern-Simons theory

We analyze the vacuum structure (degeneracy, nodes and symmetries) of some quantum theories with special emphasis on the study of its dependence on the geometry and topology of the classical configuration space. The study of the topological limit shows that many low energy properties of those quantum theories can be inferred from the structure of their topological phases. After reviewing some simple pure quantum mechanical models (planar rotor, magnetic monopole and quantum Hall effect) we focus on the study of the rich relationship existing between topologically massive gauge theories and their topological phases, Chern-Simons theories. In particular we show that, although in a finite volume the degeneracy of the quantum vacuum of gauge theories depends on the topology of the underlying Riemann surface, in an infinite volume the vacuum is unique. Finally, the topological structure of Chern-Simons theory is analyzed in a covariant formalism within a geometric regularization scheme. We discuss in some detail the structure of the different metric dependent contributions to the Chern-Simons partition function and the associated topological invariants.     

Physics versus Semantics: A Puzzling Case of the Missing Quantum Theory

A case for the project of excising of confusion and obfuscation in the contemporary quantum theory initiated and promoted by David Deutsch has been made. It has been argued that at least some theoretical entities which are conventionally labelled as “interpretations” of quantum mechanics are in fact full-blooded physical theories in their own right, and as such are falsifiable, at least in principle. The most pertinent case is the one of the so-called “Many-Worlds Interpretation” (MWI) of Everett and others. This set of idea differs from other “interpretations” since it does not accept reality of the collapse of Schrödinger’s wavefunction. A survey of several important proposals for discrimination between quantum theories with and without wavefunction collapse appearing from time to time in the literature has been made, and the possibilities discussed in the framework of a wider taxonomy.     

Guided random walks for solving Hamiltonian lattice gauge theories

Motivated by developments for many-particle quantum systems, a Monte Carlo method for solving Hamiltonian lattice gauge theories without fermions is presented in which a stochastic random walk is guided by a trial wave function. To the extent that a substantial portion of the local structure of the theory can be incorporated in the trial function, the method offers significant advantages relative to existing techniques. The method is applicable to the study of SU(N) lattice gauge theories, and its utility is demonstrated by solving the compact U(1) gauge theory in three spatial dimensions.     

Axioms for quantum theory

The first three of these axioms describe quantum theory and classical mechanics as statistical theories from the very beginning. With these, it can be shown in which sense a more general than the conventional measure theoretic probability theory is used in quantum theory. One gets this generalization defining transition probabilities on pairs of events (not sets of pairs) as a fundamental, not derived, concept. A comparison with standard theories of stochastic processes gives a very general formulation of the non existence of quantum theories with hidden variables. The Cartesian product of probability spaces can be given a natural algebraic structure, the structure of an orthocomplemented, orthomodular, quasi-modular, not modular, not distributive lattice, which can be compared with the quantum logic (lattice of all closed subspaces of an infinite dimensional Hubert space). It is shown how our given system of axioms suggests generalized quantum theories, especially Schrödinger equations, for phase space amplitudes.     

No Preferred Reference Frame at the Foundation of Quantum Mechanics

Quantum information theorists have created axiomatic reconstructions of quantum mechanics (QM) that are very successful at identifying precisely what distinguishes quantum probability theory from classical and more general probability theories in terms of information-theoretic principles. Herein, we show how one such principle, Information Invariance and Continuity, at the foundation of those axiomatic reconstructions, maps to “no preferred reference frame” (NPRF, aka “the relativity principle”) as it pertains to the invariant measurement of Planck’s constant h for Stern-Gerlach (SG) spin measurements. This is in exact analogy to the relativity principle as it pertains to the invariant measurement of the speed of light c at the foundation of special relativity (SR). Essentially, quantum information theorists have extended Einstein’s use of NPRF from the boost invariance of measurements of c to include the SO(3) invariance of measurements of h between different reference frames of mutually complementary spin measurements via the principle of Information Invariance and Continuity. Consequently, the “mystery” of the Bell states is understood to result from conservation per Information Invariance and Continuity between different reference frames of mutually complementary qubit measurements, and this maps to conservation per NPRF in spacetime. If one falsely conflates the relativity principle with the classical theory of SR, then it may seem impossible that the relativity principle resides at the foundation of non-relativisitic QM. In fact, there is nothing inherently classical or quantum about NPRF. Thus, the axiomatic reconstructions of QM have succeeded in producing a principle account of QM that reveals as much about Nature as the postulates of SR.