A Simple Model for an Objective Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

An SR model is presented that shows how an objective (noncontextual and local) interpretation of quantum mechanics can be constructed, which contradicts some well-established beliefs following from the standard interpretation of the theory and from known no-go theorems. The SR model is not a hidden variables theory in the standard sense, but it can be considered a hidden parameters theory which satisfies constraints that are weaker than those usually imposed on standard hidden variables theories. The SR model is also extended in a natural way that shows how a broader theory embodying quantum mechanics can be envisaged which is realistic in a semantic sense, hence compatible with various realistic perspectives.     

A Gauge Model for Quantum Mechanics on a Stratified Space

In the Hamiltonian approach on a single spatial plaquette, we construct a quantum (lattice) gauge theory which incorporates the classical singularities. The reduced phase space is a stratified Kähler space, and we make explicit the requisite singular holomorphic quantization procedure on this space. On the quantum level, this procedure yields a costratified Hilbert space, that is, a Hilbert space together with a system which consists of the subspaces associated with the strata of the reduced phase space and of the corresponding orthoprojectors. The costratified Hilbert space structure reflects the stratification of the reduced phase space. For the special case where the structure group is SU(2), we discuss the tunneling probabilities between the strata, determine the energy eigenstates and study the corresponding expectation values of the orthoprojectors onto the subspaces associated with the strata in the strong and weak coupling approximations.     

A Foundational Principle for Quantum Mechanics

In contrast to the theories of relativity, quantum mechanics is not yet based on a generally accepted conceptual foundation. It is proposed here that the missing principle may be identified through the observation that all knowledge in physics has to be expressed in propositions and that therefore the most elementary system represents the truth value of one proposition, i.e., it carries just one bit of information. Therefore an elementary system can only give a definite result in one specific measurement. The irreducible randomness in other measurements is then a necessary consequence. For composite systems entanglement results if all possible information is exhausted in specifying joint properties of the constituents.     

A Non-Associative Quantum Mechanics

A non-associative quantum mechanics is proposed in which the product of three and more operators can be non-associative one. The multiplication rules of the octonions define the multiplication rules of the corresponding operators with quantum corrections. The self-consistency of the operator algebra is proved for the product of three operators. Some properties of the non-associative quantum mechanics are considered. It is proposed that some generalization of the non-associative algebra of quantum operators can be helpful for understanding of the algebra of field operators with a strong interaction.     

A Minimal Framework for Non-Commutative Quantum Mechanics

Deformation quantisation is applied to ordinary Quantum Mechanics by introducing the star product in a configuration space combining a Riemannian structure with a Poisson one. A Hilbert space compatible with such a configuration space is designed. The dynamics is expressed by a Hermitian Hamiltonian containing a scalar potential and a one-form potential. As a simple illustration, it is shown how a particular type of non-commutativity of the star product is interpretable as generating the Zeeman effect of ordinary Quantum Mechanics.     

A Local-Realistic Model of Quantum Mechanics Based on a Discrete Spacetime

This paper presents a realistic, stochastic, and local model that reproduces nonrelativistic quantum mechanics (QM) results without using its mathematical formulation. The proposed model only uses integer-valued quantities and operations on probabilities, in particular assuming a discrete spacetime under the form of a Euclidean lattice. Individual (spinless) particle trajectories are described as random walks. Transition probabilities are simple functions of a few quantities that are either randomly associated to the particles during their preparation, or stored in the lattice nodes they visit during the walk. QM predictions are retrieved as probability distributions of similarly-prepared ensembles of particles. The scenarios considered to assess the model comprise of free particle, constant external force, harmonic oscillator, particle in a box, the Delta potential, particle on a ring, particle on a sphere and include quantization of energy levels and angular momentum, as well as momentum entanglement.     

The Phase Space Model of Nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics

We focus on several questions arising during the modelling of quantum systems on a phase space. First, we discuss the choice of phase space and its structure. We include an interesting case of discrete phase space. Then, we introduce the respective algebras of functions containing quantum observables. We also consider the possibility of performing strict calculations and indicate cases where only formal considerations can be performed. We analyse alternative realisations of strict and formal calculi, which are determined by different kernels. Finally, two classes of Wigner functions as representations of states are investigated.     

Noncommutative Unification of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. A Finite Model

We construct a model unifying general relativity and quantum mechanics in a broader structure of noncommutative geometry. The geometry in question is that of a transformation groupoid given by the action of a finite group on a space E. We define the algebra of smooth complex valued functions on , with convolution as multiplication, in terms of which the groupoid geometry is developed. Owing to the fact that the group G is finite the model can be computed in full details. We show that by suitable averaging of noncommutative geometric quantities one recovers the standard space-time geometry. The quantum sector of the model is explored in terms of the regular representation of the algebra , and its correspondence with the standard quantum mechanics is established.     

Geometric Structure for Quantum Mechanics

A geometric connection between quantum mechanics and classical mechanics is described and an operator version of the Poisson bracket is developed.     

Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics

The Newton equation of motion is derived from quantum mechanics.     

A Link between Quantum Logic and Categorical Quantum Mechanics

Abramsky and Coecke (Proceedings of the 19th Annual IEEE Symposium on Logic in Computer Science, pp. 415–425, IEEE Comput. Soc., New York, 2004) have recently introduced an approach to finite dimensional quantum mechanics based on strongly compact closed categories with biproducts. In this note it is shown that the projections of any object A in such a category form an orthoalgebra Proj  A. Sufficient conditions are given to ensure this orthoalgebra is an orthomodular poset. A notion of a preparation for such an object is given by Abramsky and Coecke, and it is shown that each preparation induces a finitely additive map from Proj  A to the unit interval of the semiring of scalars for this category. The tensor product for the category is shown to induce an orthoalgebra bimorphism Proj  A×Proj  B→Proj (A ⊗ B) that shares some of the properties required of a tensor product of orthoalgebras. These results are established in a setting more general than that of strongly compact closed categories. Many are valid in dagger biproduct categories, others require also a symmetric monoidal tensor compatible with the dagger and biproducts. Examples are considered for several familiar strongly compact closed categories.     

Time-Symmetric Quantum Mechanics

A time-symmetric formulation of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics is developed by applying two consecutive boundary conditions onto solutions of a time- symmetrized wave equation. From known probabilities in ordinary quantum mechanics, a time-symmetric parameter P₀ is then derived that properly weights the likelihood of any complete sequence of measurement outcomes on a quantum system. The results appear to match standard quantum mechanics, but do so without requiring a time-asymmetric collapse of the wavefunction upon measurement, thereby realigning quantum mechanics with an important fundamental symmetry.     

Glafka 2004: Generalizing Quantum Mechanics for Quantum Gravity

Familiar quantum mechanics assumes a fixed spacetime geometry. Quantummechanics must therefore be generalized for quantum gravity where spacetime geometry is not fixed but rather a quantum variable. This extended abstract sketches a fully fourdimensional generalized quantum mechnics of cosmological spacetime geometries that is one such generalization.This contribution to the proceedings of the Glafka Conference is an extended abstract of the author's talk there. More details can be found in the references cited at the end of the abstract expecially (Hartle, 1995).