Spin Correlations in Nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics

Einstein—Podolsky—Rosen spin correlations in the framework of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics for moving observers are calculated. The measurements are performed in bounded regions of space (detectors), not necessarily simultaneously. The resulting correlation function depends not only on the directions of spin measurements but also on the relative velocity of the observers.     

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.     

Nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics with Spin in the Framework of a Classical Subquantum Kinetics

Recently it has been shown that the spinless one-particle quantum mechanics can be obtained in the framework of entirely classical subquantum kinetics. In the present paper we argue that, within the same scheme and without any extra assumption, it is possible to obtain both the nonrelativistic quantum mechanics with spin, in the presence of an arbitrary external electromagnetic field, as well as the nonlinear quantum mechanics.     

Spin-Zero Particles must be Bosons: A New Proof within Nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics

The key assumption is that of Leinaas and Myrheim and of Berry and Robbins, here specialized to spin zero: for n particles, the argument of the wave function should be the unordered multiplet {r ₁,r ₂,...,r _n }. I also make use of the requirement that wave functions in the domain of the Hamiltonian must be continuous functions of the spatial variables. The new proof presented here has advantages of simplicity and transparency in comparison with earlier work based on the same two principles and it uses weaker assumptions, especially avoiding the use of rotations of the relative coordinate of identical particles.This paper is offered as a respectful memorial to the late Asher Peres, whose work was enormously influential in advancing quantum physics at the foundations level.     

A Velocity Field and Operator for Spinning Particles in (Nonrelativistic) Quantum Mechanics

Starting from the formal expressions of the hydrodynamical (or local) quantities employed in the applications of Clifford algebras to quantum mechanics, we introduce—in terms of the ordinary tensorial language—a new definition for the field of a generic quantity. By translating from Clifford into tensor algebra, we also propose a new (nonrelativistic) velocity operator for a spin-1/2 particle. This operator appears as the sum of the ordinary part p/m describing the mean motion (the motion of the center-of-mass), and of a second part associated with the socalled Zitterbewegung, which is the spin internal motion observed in the center-of-mass from (CMF). This spin component of the velocity operator is nonzero not only in the Pauli theoretical framework, i.e., in the presence of external electromagnetic fields with a nonconstant spin function, but also in the Schrödinger case, when the wavefunction is a spin eigenstate. Thus, one gets even in the latter case a decomposition of the velocity field for the Madelung fluid into two distinct parts, which constitutes the nonrelativistic analogue of the Gordon decomposition for the Dirac current. Explicit calculations are presented for the velocity field in the particular cases of the hydrogen atom, of a spherical well potential, and of an electron in a uniform magnetic field. We find, furthermore, that the Zitterbewegung motion involves a velocity field which is solenoidal, and that the local angular velocity is parallel to the spin vector. In the presence of a nonuniform spinvector (Pauli case) we have, besides the component of the local velocity normal to the spin (present even in the Schrödinger theory), also a component which is parallel to the curl of the spin vector.     

Fundamental Entangling Operators in Quantum Mechanics and Their Properties

For the first time, we introduce so-called fundamental entangling operators \(e^{iQ_{1} P_{2}}\) and \(e^{iP_{1} Q_{2} }\) for composing bipartite entangled states of continuum variables, where Q_i and P_i (i = 1, 2) are coordinate and momentum operator, respectively. We then analyze how these entangling operators naturally appear in the quantum image of classical quadratic coordinate transformation (q₁, q₂) → (Aq₁ + Bq₂, Cq₁ + Dq₂), where AD?BC = 1, which means even the basic coordinate transformation (Q₁, Q₂) → (AQ₁ + BQ₂, CQ₁ + DQ₂) involves entangling mechanism. We also analyse their Lie algebraic properties and use the integration technique within an ordered product of operators to show they are also one- and two- mode combinatorial squeezing operators.     

General N-Body Theory of Nonrelativistic Quantum Scattering

 The two-Hilbert-space theory of scattering is reviewed with particular reference to its application to nonrelativistic multichannel quantum- mechanical scattering theory. In Part I the abstract assumptions of the theory are collected, transition operators (both on- and off-energy-shell) are defined, the dynamical equations that determine the off-shell transition operators are presented and their real-energy limits examined, and the convergence of sequences of approximate transition operators is established. A section on how to incorporate group symmetries into the formalism reports new work. The material of Part I is relevant to a variety of both classical and quantum scattering systems. In Part II attention is directed specifically to N-body nonrelativistic quantum scattering systems in which the particles interact via short-range pair potentials. A method of constructing approximate transition operators is presented and shown to satisfy all the abstract assumptions of Part I. The dynamical equations that determine the half-on-shell approximate transition operators are shown to be coupled one-dimensional integral equations that have compact kernels and unique solutions when considered as operators on a Hilbert space of H?lder continuous functions. Moreover, the on-shell parts of those approximate transition amplitudes are shown to converge to the exact on-shell amplitudes as the order of the approximation increases. Detailed formulas for the kernels of the integral equations are written down for systems of particles that are distinguishable and for systems containing identical particles. Finally, some important open problems are described. Received July 2, 1999; accepted in final form October 27, 1999     

Radiation Reaction of a Nonrelativistic Quantum Charged Particle

An alternative approach to analyze the nonrelativistic quantum dynamics of a rigid and extended charged particle taking into account the radiation reaction is discussed with detail. Interpretation of the field operators as annihilation and creation ones, theory of perturbations and renormalization are not used. The analysis is carried out in the Heisenberg picture with the electromagnetic field expanded in a complete orthogonal basis set of functions which allows the electromagnetic field to satisfy arbitrary boundary conditions. The corresponding coefficients are the field operators which satisfy the usual commutation relations. A nonlinear equation of motion for the charged particle is obtained. A careful consideration of the quantum effects allows the derivation of a linear equation of motion which is free of both runaway solutions and preacceleration, even for a point charge. Also, the electromagnetic mass, which is defined as the coefficient of the acceleration operator, vanishes for a point particle. However, this does not mean that the results are free of ambiguities which are exhibited and discussed.     

Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics

The Newton equation of motion is derived from quantum mechanics.     

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.     

Instantaneous Spreading Versus Space Localization for Nonrelativistic Quantum Systems

A theorem of Hegerfeldt (Kielanowski et al. 1998) establishes, for a class of quantum systems, a dichotomy between those which are permanently localized in a bounded region of space, and those exhibiting instantaneous spreading. We analyze in some detail the physical inconsistencies which follow from both of these options, and formulate which, in our view, are the basic open problems.     

Quantum Mechanics is About Quantum Information

I argue that quantum mechanics is fundamentally a theory about the representation and manipulation of information, not a theory about the mechanics of nonclassical waves or particles. The notion of quantum information is to be understood as a new physical primitive---just as, following Einsteins special theory of relativity, a field is no longer regarded as the physical manifestation of vibrations in a mechanical medium, but recognized as a new physical entity in its own right.     

Relating the Quantum Mechanics of Discrete Systems to Standard Canonical Quantum Mechanics

Standard canonical quantum mechanics makes much use of operators whose spectra cover the set of real numbers, such as the coordinates of space, or the values of the momenta. Discrete quantum mechanics uses only strictly discrete operators. We show how one can transform systems with pairs of integer-valued, commuting operators $P_i$ and $Q_i$ , to systems with real-valued canonical coordinates $q_i$ and their associated momentum operators $p_i$ . The discrete system could be entirely deterministic while the corresponding (p, q) system could still be typically quantum mechanical.     

Zitterbewegung in Quantum Mechanics

The possibility that zitterbewegung opens a window to particle substructure in quantum mechanics is explored by constructing a particle model with structural features inherent in the Dirac equation. This paper develops a self-contained dynamical model of the electron as a lightlike particle with helical zitterbewegung and electromagnetic interactions. The model admits periodic solutions with quantized energy, and the correct magnetic moment is generated by charge circulation. It attributes to the electron an electric dipole moment rotating with ultrahigh frequency, and the possibility of observing this directly as a resonance in electron channeling is analyzed in detail. Correspondence with the Dirac equation is discussed. A modification of the Dirac equation is suggested to incorporate the rotating dipole moment.     

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.     

No-Signaling in Quantum Mechanics

We review some concepts and reasonings regarding the notion of no-signaling and its relation to quantum mechanics in bipartite Bell-type scenarios. We recapitulate the no-signaling property of joint conditional probability distributions in geometrical and information theoretic terms. We summarize the reasons why quantum mechanics does not enable instantaneous communication. We make some comments on quantum field theoretic aspects.