Semiclassical mechanics of rotons

The roton elementary excitations in superfluid liquid ⁴He have an unusual dispersion curve. The energy is an approximately quadratic function of (p - p₀), the difference between the magnitude of the momentum p and a characteristic value p₀. As a result, while for p > p₀ a roton has its (group) velocity parallel to its momentum, when p < p₀ the velocity and momentum are antiparallel. When p = p₀, the roton has non-zero momentum but zero velocity. These kinematic properties lead to unusual trajectories when rotons scatter or experience external forces. This paper examines this behaviour in the classical (ray optics) limit, where the roton wavelength is small compared with all other dimensions. Several experiments illustrate these effects. The examples are interesting in themselves, and also offer unconventional pedagogical possibilities.     

Semiclassical quantum mechanics. III. The large order asymptotics and more general states

We solve the time dependent Schrödinger Equation $\text{i?(}\text{?ψ}\text{?t}\text{) = ?(?}{}^2\text{/2m) Δψ + Vψ}$ modulo errors which have L² norms on the order of $\text{?}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ for arbitrarily large l. The initial conditions we consider are fairly general states whose position and momentum uncertainties are proportional to $\text{?}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$.     

Semiclassical mechanics of bound chaotic potentials

Semiclassical methods for determining quantum eigenvalues in chaotic systems are discussed. A recent calculation for an open scattering system with Axiom-A properties serves as a starting point for the discussion. How deviation from Axiom-A properties, such as intermittency and occurrence of small stability islands, normally arise in bound Hamiltonian systems, and how these deviations complicate the calculation of semiclassical eigenvalues are demonstrated. It is also stressed that since such deviations are typical of bound Hamiltonian systems, they might be of crucial importance for the statistical properties of the energy levels.     

Semiclassical theory of chaotic quantum transport

We present a refined semiclassical approach to the Landauer conductance and Kubo conductivity of clean chaotic mesoscopic systems. We demonstrate for systems with uniformly hyperbolic dynamics that including off-diagonal contributions to double sums over classical paths gives a weak-localization correction in quantitative agreement with results from random matrix theory. We further discuss the magnetic-field dependence. This semiclassical treatment accounts for current conservation.     

Semiclassical statistical mechanics ofv-dimensional fluid mixture of hardv-spheres

The problem of calculating the equilibrium properties ofv-dimensional fluid mixture of hardv-spheres is studied. High temperature expansion for the density independent radial distribution function is derived for a hardv-sphere mixture. The ‘excess’ quantum corrections to the second virial coefficient and the excess free energy are also studied. Significant features are the large increase in ‘excess’ quantum correction with increasing dimensionality.     

Quaternionic quantum mechanics is consistent with complex quantum mechanics

Quaternionic quantum mechanics is investigated in the light of the great success of complex quantum mechanics. It is shown that to reproduce the results of complex quantum mechanics, quaternionic quantum mechanics must contain complex quantum mechanics.     

Semiclassical model of a one-dimensional quantum dot

A one-dimensional quantum dot at zero temperature is used as an example for developing a consistent semiclassical method. The method can also be applied to systems of higher dimension that admit separation of variables. For electrons confined by a quartic potential, the Thomas-Fermi approximation is used to calculate the self-consistent potential, the electron density distribution, and the total energy as a function of the electron number and the effective electron charge representing the strength of interaction between electrons. Use is made of scaling with respect to the electron number. An energy quantization condition is derived. The oscillating part of the electron density and both gradient and shell corrections to the total electron energy are calculated by using the results based on the Thomas-Fermi model and analytical expressions derived in this study. The dependence of the shell correction on the interaction strength is examined. Comparisons with results calculated by the density functional method are presented. The relationship between the results obtained and the Strutinsky correction is discussed.     

Semiclassical and quantum polarons in crystalline acetanilide

Crystalline acetanilide is a an organic solid with peptide bond structure similar to that of proteins. Two states appear in the amide I spectral region having drastically different properties: one is strongly temperature dependent and disappears at high temperatures while the other is stable at all temperatures. Experimental and theoretical work over the past twenty five years has assigned the former to a selftrapped state while the latter to an extended free exciton state. In this article we review the experimental and theoretical developments on acetanilide paying particular attention to issues that are still pending. Although the interpretation of the states is experimentally sound, we find that specific theoretical comprehension is still lacking. Among the issues that that appear not well understood is the effective dimensionality of the selftrapped polaron and free exciton states.     

Semiclassical quantization with a quantum adiabatic phase

By applying the path integral method to two interacting systems, we derive a novel form of the semiclassical quantization rule including the topological phase which was recently found in certain quantum adiabatic processes.     

Semiclassical field theory approach to quantum chaos

We construct a field theory to describe energy averaged quantum statistical properties of systems which are chaotic in their classical limit. An expression for the generating function of general statistical correlators is presented in the form of a functional supermatrix non-linear σ-model where the effective action involves the evolution operator of the classical dynamics. Low-lying degrees of freedom of the field theory are shown to reflect the irreversible classical dynamics describing relaxation of phase space distributions. The validity of this approach is investigated over a wide range of energy scales. As well as recovering the universal long-time behavior characteristic of random matrix ensembles, this approach accounts correctly for the short-time limit yielding results which agree with the diagonal approximation of periodic orbit theory.     

The transitions among classical mechanics,quantum mechanics,and stochastic quantum mechanics

Various formalisms for recasting quantum mechanics in the framework of classical mechanics on phase space are reviewed and compared. Recent results in stochastic quantum mechanics are shown to avoid the difficulties encountered by the earlier approach of Wigner, as well as to avoid the well-known incompatibilities of relativity and ordinary quantum theory. Specific mappings among the various formalisms are given.     

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.     

Discrete quantum mechanics

Recently the possibility was raised that time can be regarded as a dynamical variable. This leads to the formulation of discrete mechanics, with the usual continuum mechanics appearing as an approximation. The difference between these two is examined in this paper.     

Empirical quantum mechanics

Machida and Namiki developed a many-Hilbert-spaces formalism for dealing with the interaction between a quantum object and a measuring apparatus. Their mathematically rugged formalism was polished first by Araki from an operator-algebraic standpoint and then by Ozawa for Boolean quantum mechanics, which approaches a quantum system with a compatible family of continuous superselection rules from a notable and perspicacious viewpoint. On the other hand, Foulis and Randall set up a formal theory for the empirical foundation of all sciences, at the hub of which lies the notion of a manual of operations. They deem an operation as the set of possible outcomes and put down a manual of operations at a family of partially overlapping operations. Their notion of a manual of operations was incorporated into a category-theoretic standpoint into that of a manual of Boolean locales by Nishimura, who looked upon an operation as the complete Boolean algebra of observable events. Considering a family of Hilbert spaces not over a single Boolean locale but over a manual of Boolean locales as a whole, Ozawa's Boolean quantum mechanics is elevated into empirical quantum mechanics, which is, roughly speaking, the study of quantum systems with incompatible families of continuous superselection rules. To this end, we are obliged to develop empirical Hilbert space theory. In particular, empirical versions of the square root lemma for bounded positive operators, the spectral theorem for (possibly unbounded) self-adjoint operators, and Stone's theorem for one-parameter unitary groups are established.     

Everettian quantum mechanics

ABSTRACT

An interpretation of quantum mechanics dating back to mid-1950s, based on the ideas of Hugh Everett III, has found a new lease on life in recent decades. Significant efforts have been made by physicists and philosophers of physics to bring advances in physics and philosophy to bear on the interpretation, and to overcome some of the shortcomings in Everett's bold, but limited writings. This article presents an introduction to Everettian quantum mechanics.