Causality and quantum mechanics

Statistical causality is recommended as the name of the generalized causality needed in quantum mechanics, instead of statistical correspondence used by Pauli.     

Causality in quantum mechanics

We show explicitly how the causal arrow of time that follows from quantum mechanics has already been inserted at a deeper level by the choice of normalisation conditions. This prohibits information being sent backwards in time but does not determine a time direction for state propagation.     

Consistent histories and the interpretation of quantum mechanics

The usual formula for transition probabilities in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics is generalized to yield conditional probabilities for selected sequences of events at several different times, called consistent histories, through a criterion which ensures that, within limits which are explicitly defined within the formalism, classical rules for probabilities are satisfied. The interpretive scheme which results is applicable to closed (isolated) quantum systems, is explicitly independent of the sense of time (i.e., past and future can be interchanged), has no need for wave function collapse, makes no reference to processes of measurement (though it can be used to analyze such processes), and can be applied to sequences of microscopic or macroscopic events, or both, as long as the mathematical condition of consistency is satisfied. When applied to appropriate macroscopic events it appears to yield the same answers as other interpretative schemes for standard quantum mechanics, though from a different point of view which avoids the conceptual difficulties which are sometimes thought to require reference to conscious observers or classical apparatus.     

Dynamical symmetries inq-deformed quantum mechanics

The dynamical algebra of theq-deformed harmonic oscillator is constructed. As a result, we find the free deformed Hamiltonian as well as the Hamiltonian of the deformed oscillator as a complicated, momentum dependent interaction Hamiltonian in terms of the usual canonical variables. Furthermore we construct a welldefined algebraSU _q(1,1) with consistent conjugation properties and comultiplication. We obtain non lowest weight representations of this algebra.     

Lie symmetries and superintegrability in quantum mechanics

Starting from the structure of the higher order Lie symmetries of the Schrödinger equation in the Euclidean plane E2, we establish, in the case of first-and second-order symmetries, the relations between separation of variables and superintegrable systems in quantum mechanics.     

Representations of non-commutative quantum mechanics and symmetries

We present a unified approach to representations of quantum mechanics on non-commutative spaces with general constant commutators of the phase-space variables. We find two phases and duality relations among them in arbitrary dimensions. Conditions for the physical equivalence of different representations of a given system are analyzed. Symmetries and classification of phase spaces are discussed. Especially, the dynamical symmetry of a physical system is investigated. Finally, we apply our analyses to the two-dimensional harmonic oscillator and the Landau problem. Received: 17 December 2002, Published online: 11 June 2003     

Recursion operators, higher-order symmetries and superintegrability in quantum mechanics

A connection between the theory of superintegrable quantum-mechanical systems, which admit a maximal number of integrals of motion, and the standard Lie group theory is established. It is shown that the flows generated by first- and second-order Lie symmetries of the bidimensional Schrödinger equation can be classified and interpreted as quantum-mechanical operators which commute with integrable or superintegrable Hamiltonians. In this way, all known superintegrable potentials in the plane are naturally obtained and slightly more general integrals of motion are found.     

Conservation laws and hierarchies of potential symmetries for certain diffusion equations

We show that the so-called hidden potential symmetries considered in a recent paper [M.L. Gandarias, New potential symmetries for some evolution equations, Physica A 387 (2008) 2234-2242] are ordinary potential symmetries that can be obtained using the method introduced by Bluman and collaborators [G.W. Bluman, S. Kumei, Symmetries and Differential Equations, Springer, New York, 1989; G.W. Bluman, G.J. Reid, S. Kumei, New classes of symmetries for partial differential equations, J. Math. Phys. 29 (1988) 806-811]. In fact, these are simplest potential symmetries associated with potential systems which are constructed with single conservation laws having no constant characteristics. Furthermore we classify the conservation laws for classes of porous medium equations, and then using the corresponding conserved (potential) systems we search for potential symmetries. This is the approach one needs to adopt in order to determine the complete list of potential symmetries. The provenance of potential symmetries is explained for the porous medium equations by using potential equivalence transformations. Point and potential equivalence transformations are also applied to deriving new results on potential symmetries and corresponding invariant solutions from known ones. In particular, in this way the potential systems, potential conservation laws and potential symmetries of linearizable equations from the classes of differential equations under consideration are exhaustively described. Infinite series of infinite-dimensional algebras of potential symmetries are constructed for such equations.     

Copenhagen quantum mechanics

In our quantum mechanics courses, measurement is usually taught in passing, as an ad-hoc procedure involving the ugly collapse of the wave function. No wonder we search for more satisfying alternatives to the Copenhagen interpretation. But this overlooks the fact that the approach fits very well with modern measurement theory with its notions of the conditioned state and quantum trajectory. In addition, what we know of as the Copenhagen interpretation is a later 1950s development and some of the earlier pioneers like Bohr did not talk of wave function collapse. In fact, if one takes these earlier ideas and mixes them with later insights of decoherence, a much more satisfying version of Copenhagen quantum mechanics emerges, one for which the collapse of the wave function is seen to be a harmless book keeping device. Along the way, we explain why chaotic systems lead to wave functions that spread out quickly on macroscopic scales implying that Schrödinger cat states are the norm rather than curiosities generated in physicists’ laboratories. We then describe how the conditioned state of a quantum system depends crucially on how the system is monitored illustrating this with the example of a decaying atom monitored with a time of arrival photon detector, leading to Bohr’s quantum jumps. On the other hand, other kinds of detection lead to much smoother behaviour, providing yet another example of complementarity. Finally we explain how classical behaviour emerges, including classical mechanics but also thermodynamics.     

Maximally causal quantum mechanics

We present a new causal quantum mechanics in one and two dimensions developed recently at TIFR by this author and V Singh. In this theory both position and momentum for a system point have Hamiltonian evolution in such a way that the ensemble of system points leads to position and momentum probability densities agreeing exactly with ordinary quantum mechanics     

Laws, Symmetries, and Reality

It is argued that quantum mechanics follows naturally from the assumptions that there are no fundamental causal laws but only probabilities for physical processes that are constrained by symmetries, and reality is relational in the sense that an object is real only in relation to another object that it is interacting with. The first assumption makes it natural to include in the action for a gauge theory all terms that are allowed by the symmetries, enabling cancellation of infinities, with only the terms in the standard model observable at the energies at which we presently do our experiments. In this approach, it is also natural to have an infinite number of fundamental interactions.     

Causality, relativity and quantum correlation experiments with moving reference frames

Entanglement, one of the most important features of quantum mechanics, is at the core of the famous Einstein-Bohr philosophical debate [1] and is the principal resource for quantum information processing [2]. We report on new experimental investigations of the properties of entangled photon pairs with emphasis on the tension between quantum mechanics and relativity [3,4]. Entangled photons are sent via an optical fiber network to two villages near Geneva, separated by more than 10 km where they are analyzed by interferometers [5]. The photon pair source is set as precisely as possible in the center so that the two photons arrive at the detectors within a time interval of less than 5 ps (corresponding to a path length difference of less than 1 mm). This sets a lower bound on the ‘speed of quantum information’ to 10⁷ times the speed of light. Next, one detector is set in motion [6] so that both detectors, each in its own inertial reference frame, are first to do the measurement! The data always reproduces the quantum correlations.     

Discrete symmetries and nonlocal reductions

We show that nonlocal reductions of systems of integrable nonlinear partial differential equations are the special discrete symmetry transformations.     

New potential symmetries for some evolution equations

In this paper we derive new potential symmetries that seem not to be recorded in the literature. These potential symmetries are determined by considering a generalized potential system, rather than the natural potential system or a general integral variable. An inhomogeneous diffusion equation, a porous medium equation and the Fokker-Planck equation have been considered as application of this procedure.     

Spatiotemporal and statistical symmetries

The notion of symmetries, either statistical or deterministic, can be useful for the characterization of complex systems and their bifurcations. In this paper, we investigate the connection between the (microscopic) spatiotemporal symmetries of a space-time functionu(x, t), on the one hand, and the (macroscopic) symmetries of statistical quantities such as the spatial (resp. temporal) two-point correlations and the spatial (resp. temporal) average, on the other hand. We show, how, under certain conditions, these symmetries are related to the symmetries of the orbits described byu(x, t) in the characteristic (phase) spaces. We also determine the largest group of spatiotemporal symmetries (in the sense introduced in our earlier work) satisfied by a given space-time functionu(x, t) and indicate how to extract the subgroups of point symmetries, namely those directly implemented on the space and time variables. Conversely, we determine all the functions invariant by a given space-time symmetry group. Finally, we illustrate all the previous points with specific examples.     

Broken symmetries in the reconstruction of ν=1 quantum Hall edges

Spin-polarized reconstruction of the ν=1 quantum Hall edge is accompanied by a spatial modulation of the charge density along the edge. We find that this is also the case for finite quantum Hall droplets: current spin density functional calculations show that the so-called Chamon–Wen edge forms a ring of apparently localized electrons around the maximum density droplet (MDD). The boundaries of these different phases qualitatively agree with recent experiments. For very soft confinement, Chern–Simons Ginzburg–Landau theory indicates formation of a non-translational invariant edge with vortices (holes) trapped in the edge region.