Toward a Finite-Dimensional Formulation of Quantum Field Theory

Rules of quantization and equations of motion for a finite-dimensional formulation of quantum field theory are proposed which fulfill the following properties: (a) Both the rules of quantization and the equations of motion are covariant; (b) the equations of evolution are second order in derivatives and first order in derivatives of the spacetime coordinates; and (c) these rules of quantization and equations of motion lead to the usual (canonical) rules of quantization and the (Schrödinger) equation of motion of quantum mechanics in the particular case of mechanical systems. We also comment briefly on further steps to fully develop a satisfactory quantum field theory and the difficuties which may be encountered when doing so.     

A Kinetic Theory Approach to Quantum Gravity

We describe a kinetic theory approach to quantum gravity by which we mean a theory of the microscopic structure of space-time, not a theory obtained by quantizing general relativity. A figurative conception of this program is like building a ladder with two knotty poles: quantum matter field on the right and space-time on the left. Each rung connecting the corresponding knots represents a distinct level of structure. The lowest rung is hydrodynamics and general relativity; the next rung is semiclassical gravity, with the expectation value of quantum fields acting as source in the semiclassical Einstein equation. We recall how ideas from the statistical mechanics of interacting quantum fields helped us identify the existence of noise in the matter field and its effect on metric fluctuations, leading to the establishment of the third rung: stochastic gravity, described by the Einstein–Langevin equation. Our pathway from stochastic to quantum gravity is via the correlation hierarchy of noise and induced metric fluctuations. Three essential tasks beckon: (1) deduce the correlations of metric fluctuations from correlation noise in the matter field; (2) reconstituting quantum coherence—this is the reverse of decoherence—from these correlation functions; and (3) use the Boltzmann–Langevin equations to identify distinct collective variables depicting recognizable metastable structures in the kinetic and hydrodynamic regimes of quantum matter fields and how they demand of their corresponding space-time counterparts. This will give us a hierarchy of generalized stochastic equations—call them the Boltzmann–Einstein hierarchy of quantum gravity—for each level of space-time structure, from the the macroscopic (general relativity) through the mesoscopic (stochastic gravity) to the microscopic (quantum gravity).     

The Consistency of Causal Quantum Geometrodynamics and Quantum Field Theory

We consider quantum geometrodynamics and parametrized quantum field theories in the framework of the Bohm-de Broglie interpretation. In the first case, and following the lines of our previous work [1], where a hamiltonian formalism for the bohmian trajectories was constructed, we show the consistency of the theory for any quantum potential, completing the scenarios for canonical quantum cosmology presented there. In the latter case, we prove the consistency of scalar field theory in Minkowski spacetime for any quantum potential, and we show, using this alternative hamiltonian method, a concrete example where Lorentz invariance of individual events is broken.     

Alternative New Notation for Quantum Information Theory

The notation [Li, Song, and Luo (2002) Physics Letters A 297, 121] has been generalized to quantum information theory. By this notation,we present three useful criteria for bipartite entanglement, a formula for general quantum swapping, and a formula for quantum teleportation of bipartite state by two EPR pairs.     

Quantum Information in Relativity: The Challenge of QFT Measurements

Proposed quantum experiments in deep space will be able to explore quantum information issues in regimes where relativistic effects are important. In this essay, we argue that a proper extension of quantum information theory into the relativistic domain requires the expression of all informational notions in terms of quantum field theoretic (QFT) concepts. This task requires a working and practicable theory of QFT measurements. We present the foundational problems in constructing such a theory, especially in relation to longstanding causality and locality issues in the foundations of QFT. Finally, we present the ongoing Quantum Temporal Probabilities program for constructing a measurement theory that (i) works, in principle, for any QFT, (ii) allows for a first- principles investigation of all relevant issues of causality and locality, and (iii) it can be directly applied to experiments of current interest.     

Geometric Formulation of Gauge Theory of Gravity

Differential geometric formulation of quantum gauge theory of gravity is studied in this paper. The quantumgauge theory of gravity is formulated completely in the framework of traditional quantum field theory. In order to studythe relationship between quantum gauge theory of gravity and traditional quantum gravity which is formulated in curvedspace, it is important to set up the geometry picture of quantum gauge theory of gravity. The correspondence betweenquantum gauge theory of gravity and differential geometry is discussed and the geometry picture of quantum gaugetheory of gravity is studied.     

Asymptotic Completeness for a Renormalized Nonrelativistic Hamiltonian in Quantum Field Theory: The Nelson Model

Scattering theory for the Nelson model is studied. We show Rosen estimates and we prove the existence of a ground state for the Nelson Hamiltonian. Also we prove that it has a locally finite pure point spectrum outside its thresholds. We study the asymptotic fields and the existence of the wave operators. Finally we show asymptotic completeness for the Nelson Hamiltonian.     

Interference in Quantum Field Theory: Detecting Ghosts with Phases

This study discusses the implications of the principle of locality for interference in quantum field theory. As an example, it considers the interaction of two charges via a mediating quantum field and the resulting interference pattern in the Lorenz gauge. Using the Heisenberg picture, it is proposed that detecting relative phases or entanglement between two charges in an interference experiment is equivalent to accessing empirically the gauge degrees of freedom associated with the so-called ghost (scalar) modes of the field in the Lorenz gauge. These results imply that ghost modes are measurable and hence physically relevant, contrary to what is usually thought. They also raise interesting questions about the relation between the principle of locality and the principle of gauge-invariance. This analysis also applies to linearized quantum gravity in the harmonic gauge, and hence has implications for the recently proposed entanglement-based witnesses of non-classicality in gravity.     

Renormalizable Quantum Gauge Theory of Gravity

The quantum gravity is formulated based on the principle of local gauge invariance. The model discussedin this paper has local gravitational gauge symmetry, and gravitational field is represented by gauge field. In the leading-order approximation, it gives out classical Newton‘s theory of gravity. In the first-order approximation and for vacuum,it gives out Einstein‘s general theory of relativity. This quantum gauge theory of gravity is a renormalizable quantumtheory.     

Renormalizable Quantum Gauge Theory of Gravity

The quantum gravity is formulated based on the principle of local gauge invariance. The model discussed in this paper has local gravitational gauge symmetry, and gravitational field is represented by gauge field. In the leading-order approximation, it gives out classical Newton's theory of gravity. In the first-order approximation and for vacuum, it gives out Einstein's general theory of relativity. This quantum gauge theory of gravity is a renormalizable quantum theory.     

量子相干

量子相干不仅是量子力学中的一个基本概念,同时也是重要的量子信息处理的物理资源.随着基于资源理论框架的量子相干度量方案的提出,量子相干度的量化研究成为近年来人们关注的一个热点问题.量子相干作为一种物理资源也十分脆弱,极容易受到环境噪声的影响而产生退相干,因此开放系统中的量子相干演化和保持也是人们广泛关注的课题.另外,量子相干在量子多体系统、量子热动力学、量子生物学等领域也有着潜在的应用价值.本文介绍量子相干度量的资源理论框架和基于该框架定义的相对熵相干性、l1范数相干性、基于量子纠缠的相干性、基于凸顶结构的相干性和相干鲁棒性等量子相干度量函数,概述开放系统中量子相干演化的动力学行为、典型信道的量子相干产生和破坏能力以及量子相干的冻结等现象,同时例举量子相干在Deutsch-Jozsa算法、Grover算法以及量子多体系统相变问题研究等方面的重要应用.量子相干研究仍处于快速发展之中,期望本综述能为该领域的发展带来启示.     

Quantum Cosmology in CGBD Theory

We apply the theory developed in quantum cosmology to a model of charged generalized Brans–Dicke gravity. This is a quantum model of gravitation interacting with a charged Brans–Dicke type scalar field which is considered in the Pauli frame. The Wheeler–DeWitt equation describing the evolution of the quantum Universe is solved in the semiclassical approximation by applying the WKB approximation. The wave function of the Universe is also obtained by applying both the Vilenkin-like and the Hartle–Hawking-like boundary conditions. We then make predictions from the wave functions and infer that the Vilenkin's boundary condition is more reasonable in the Brans–Dicke gravity models leading a large vacuum energy density at the beginning of the inflation.     

A Toy Model for Quantum Mechanics

The toy model used by Spekkens (Phys. Rev. A 75, 032110, 2007) to argue in favor of an epistemic view of quantum mechanics is extended by generalizing his definition of pure states (i.e. states of maximal knowledge) and by associating measurements with all pure states. The new toy model does not allow signaling but, in contrast to the Spekkens model, does violate Bell-CHSH inequalities. Negative probabilities are found to arise naturally within the model, and can be used to explain the Bell-CHSH inequality violations.     

Quantum Set Theory

The complete orthomodular lattice of closed subspaces of a Hilbert space is considered as the logic describing a quantum physical system, and called a quantum logic. G. Takeuti developed a quantum set theory based on the quantum logic. He showed that the real numbers defined in the quantum set theory represent observables in quantum physics. We formulate the quantum set theory by introducing a strong implication corresponding to the lattice order, and represent the basic concepts of quantum physics such as propositions, symmetries, and states in the quantum set theory.     

Spin-2 Quantum Gauge Theories and Perturbative Gauge Invariance

In the framework of causal perturbation theory we analyze the gauge structure of a massless self-interacting quantum tensor field. We look at this theory from a pure field theoretical point of view without assuming any geometrical aspect from general relativity. To first order in the perturbation expansion of the S-matrix we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for such a theory to be gauge invariant, by which we mean that the gauge variation of the self-coupling with respect to the gauge charge operator Q is a divergence in the sense of vector analysis. The most general trilinear self-coupling of the graviton field turns out to be the one derived from the Einstein–Hilbert action plus divergences and coboundaries.     

Free-Fall Non-Universality in Quantum Theory

The author shows by embodying the Einstein equivalence principle—local Poincaré invariance—and general covariance in quantum theory that wave-function spreading rules out the universality of free fall, that is, the free-fall trajectory of a quantum (test) particle depends on its internal properties. The author provides a quantitative estimate of the free-fall non-universality in terms of the Eötvös parameter, which turns out to be measurable in atom interferometry.     

Gravity,Quantum Fields and Quantum Information: Problems with Classical Channel and Stochastic Theories

In recent years an increasing number of papers have attempted to mimic or supplant quantum field theory in discussions of issues related to gravity by the tools and through the perspective of quantum information theory, often in the context of alternative quantum theories. In this article, we point out three common problems in such treatments. First, we show that the notion of interactions mediated by an information channel is not, in general, equivalent to the treatment of interactions by quantum field theory. When used to describe gravity, this notion may lead to inconsistencies with general relativity. Second, we point out that in general one cannot replace a quantum field by a classical stochastic field, or mock up the effects of quantum fluctuations by that of classical stochastic sources (noises), because in so doing important quantum features such as coherence and entanglement will be left out. Third, we explain how under specific conditions semi-classical and stochastic theories indeed can be formulated from their quantum origins and play a role at certain regimes of interest.