The equivalence postulate approach to quantum mechanics aims to formulate quantum mechanics from a fundamental geometrical principle. Underlying the formulation there exists a basic cocycle condition which is invariant under $D$--dimensional Möbius transformations with respect to the Euclidean or Minkowski metrics. The invariance under global Möbius transformations implies that spatial space is compact. Furthermore, it implies energy quantisation and undefinability of quantum trajectories without assuming any prior interpretation of the wave function. The approach may be viewed as conventional quantum mechanics with the caveat that spatial space is compact, as dictated by the Möbius symmetry, with the classical limit corresponding to the decompactification limit. Correspondingly, there exists a finite length scale in the formalism and consequently an intrinsic regularisation scheme. Evidence for the compactness of space may exist in the cosmic microwave background radiation.
On the basis of a 5-dimensional form of space-time transformations non-relativistic quantum mechanics is reformulated in a manifestly covariant manner. The resulting covariance resembles that of the conventional relativistic quantum mechanics.
In this paper we address again the issue of the scale anomaly in quantum mechanical models with inverse square potential. In particular we examine the interplay between the classical and quantum aspects of the system using in both cases an operatorial approach.
We consider symmetry as a foundational concept in quantum mechanics and rewrite quantum mechanics and measurement axioms in this description. We argue that issues related to measurements and physical reality of states can be better understood in this view. In particular, the abstract concept of symmetry provides a basis-independent definition for observables. Moreover, we show that the apparent projection/collapse of the state as the final step of measurement or decoherence is the result of breaking of symmetries. This phenomenon is comparable with a phase transition by spontaneous symmetry br…
Symmetries are widely used in modeling quantum systems but they do not contribute in postulates of quantum mechanics. Here we argue that logical, mathematical, and observational evidence require that symmetry should be considered as a fundamental concept in the construction of physical systems. Based on this idea, we propose a series of postulates for describing quantum systems, and establish their relation and correspondence with axioms of standard quantum mechanics. Through some examples we show that this reformulation helps better understand some of ambiguities of standard description. None…
We construct quantum mechanical models which mimic many features of string theory. We use these models to gain improved descriptions of B fields and gerbes. We examine analogs of T duality, D branes, and mirror symmetry and derive quantum mechanical analogs of standard phenomena, such as the noncommutative geometry induced by a B field.
It is shown that the standard formulation of quantum mechanics in terms of Hermitian Hamiltonians is overly restrictive. A consistent physical theory of quantum mechanics can be built on a complex Hamiltonian that is not Hermitian but satisfies the less restrictive and more physical condition of space-time reflection symmetry (PT symmetry). Thus, there are infinitely many new Hamiltonians that one can construct to explain experimental data. One might expect that a quantum theory based on a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian would violate unitarity. However, if PT symmetry is not spontaneously broken, i…
In this paper we analyze two local extensions of a model introduced some time ago to obtain a path integral formalism for Classical Mechanics. In particular, we show that these extensions exhibit a nonrelativistic local symmetry which is very similar to the well known kappa-symmetry introduced in the literature almost 20 years ago. Differently from the latter, this nonrelativistic local symmetry gives no problem in separating 1st from 2nd-class constraints.
We show that for positive integer values $l$ of the parameter in the conformal mechanics model the system possesses a hidden nonlinear superconformal symmetry, in which reflection plays a role of the grading operator. In addition to the even $so(1,2)\oplus u(1)$-generators, the superalgebra includes $2l+1$ odd integrals, which form the pair of spin-$(l+{1/2})$ representations of the bosonic subalgebra and anticommute for order $2l+1$ polynomials of the even generators. This hidden symmetry, however, is broken at the level of the states in such a way that the action of the odd generators violat…
Conformal Galilei algebra contains so(1,2) subalgebra which is the conformal algebra in one dimension. In this note we generalize methods previously developed for one-dimensional many-body systems and construct a unitary map relating a quantum mechanics invariant under the conformal Galilean transformations to a set of decoupled particles for which the same symmetry is realized in a nonlocal way. Possible applications of the map are discussed.
Solvability of the ubiquitous quantum harmonic oscillator relies on a spectrum generating osp(1|2) superconformal symmetry. We study the problem of constructing all quantum mechanical models with a hidden osp(1|2) symmetry on a given space of states. This problem stems from interacting higher spin models coupled to gravity. In one dimension, we show that the solution to this problem is the Plyushchay family of quantum mechanical models with hidden superconformal symmetry obtained by viewing the harmonic oscillator as a one dimensional Dirac system, so that Grassmann parity equals wavefunction …
We review a phenomenological parametrization of an open quantum-mechanical formalism for CPT violation in the neutral kaon system, and constrain the parameters using fits to recent CPLEAR data.
In nonrelativistic quantum mechanics and in relativistic quantum field theory, time t is a parameter and thus the time-reversal operator T does not actually reverse the sign of t. However, in relativistic quantum mechanics the time coordinate t and the space coordinates x are treated on an equal footing and all are operators. In this paper it is shown how to extend PT symmetry from nonrelativistic to relativistic quantum mechanics by implementing time reversal as an operation that changes the sign of the time coordinate operator t. Some illustrative relativistic quantum-mechanical models are c…
In conformal quantum mechanics with the vacuum of a real scaling dimension and with a complete orthonormal set of energy eigenstates which is preferable under the unitary evolution, the dilatation expectation value between energy eigenstates monotonically decreases along the flow from the UV to the IR. In such conformal quantum mechanics there exist bounds on scaling dimensions of the physical states and the gauge operators.
In classical mechanics, the system of two coupled harmonic oscillators is shown to possess the symmetry of the Lorentz group O(3,3) applicable to a six-dimensional space consisting of three space-like and three time-like coordinates, or SL(4,r) in the four-dimensional phase space consisting of two position and two momentum variables. In quantum mechanics, the symmetry is reduced to that of O(3,2) or Sp(4), which is a subgroup of O(3,3) or SL(4,r) respectively. It is shown that among the six Sp(4)-like subgroups, only one possesses the symmetry which can be translated into the group of unitary …
First, the properties of a classical model of spontaneous symmetry breakdown are analyzed. Then, the pros and cons of some pedagogical non-relativistic quantum-mechanical models, also used to illustrate spontaneous symmetry breakdown, are discussed. Finally, a simple quantum-mechanical toy model (a spinor on the line, with a spin-dependent interaction) is presented, that exhibits the spontaneous breaking of an internal symmetry.
We study superpaticle models with fermionic gauge symmetry on the coset spaces of the $SU(1,1|N)$ supergroup. We first construct $SU(1,1|N)$ supersymmetric extension of a particle on $AdS_2$ possessing the $κ$-symmetry. Including angular degrees of freedom and extending this model to a superparticle on the $AdS_2\times \mathbb{CP}^{N-1}$ background with two-form flux, one breaks the $κ$-symmetry down to a fermionic gauge symmetry with one parameter. A link of the background field configuration to the near horizon black hole geometries is discussed.
In spacetime dimension two, pure Yang-Mills possesses no physical degrees of freedom, and consequently it admits a supersymmetric extension to couple to an arbitrary number, N say, of Majorana-Weyl gauginos. This results in (N,0) super Yang-Mills. Further, its dimensional reduction to mechanics doubles the number of supersymmetries, from N to N+N, to include conformal supercharges, and leads to a superconformal Yang-Mills quantum mechanics with symmetry group OSp(N|2,R). We comment on its connection to AdS_2 \times S^{N-1} and reduction to a supersymmetric Calogero model.
The supermembrane in light-cone gauge gives rise to a supersymmetric quantum mechanics system with SU(N) gauge symmetry when the group of area preserving diffeomorphisms is suitably regulated. de Wit, Marquard and Nicolai showed how eleven-dimensional Lorentz generators can be constructed from these degrees of freedom at the classical level. In this paper, these considerations are extended to the quantum level and it is shown the algebra closes to leading nontrivial order at large N. A proposal is made for extending these results to Matrix theory by realizing longitudinal boosts as large N ren…
We consider the Dirac equation in 1+1 space-time dimension with vector, scalar and pseudo-scalar coupling. In the traditional spin (or pseudo-spin) symmetry, the difference between (or sum of) the scalar and vector potentials is a constant. Here, however, we introduce an alternative symmetry where the scalar or pseudo-scalar potential is proportional to the vector potential. This leads to a model with significant extensions to supersymmetric quantum mechanics. We present a formal solution of the problem but give explicit analytic results for specific examples.
The advantages and disadvantages of some pedagogical non-relativistic quantum-mechanical models, used to illustrate spontaneous symmetry breakdown, are discussed. A simple quantum-mechanical toy model (a spinor on the line, subject to a magnetostatic interaction) is presented, that exhibits the spontaneous breakdown of an internal symmetry.
We show in this paper that the dynamics of a non-relativistic particle with spin, coupled to an external electromagnetic field and to a background that breaks Lorentz symmetry, is naturally endowed with an N=1-supersymmetry. This result is achieved in a superspace approach where the particle coordinates and the spin degrees of freedom are components of the same supermultiplet.
We study the commutation relations, uncertainty relations and spectra of position and momentum operators within the framework of quantum group % symmetric Heisenberg algebras and their (Bargmann-) Fock representations. As an effect of the underlying noncommutative geometry, a length and a momentum scale appear, leading to the existence of minimal nonzero uncertainties in the positions and momenta. The usual quantum mechanical behaviour is recovered as a limiting case for not too small and not too large distances and momenta.
We apply equivariant localization to supersymmetric quantum mechanics and show that the partition function localizes on the instantons of the theory. Our construction of equivariant cohomology for SUSY quantum mechanics is different than the ones that already exist in the literature. A hidden bosonic symmetry is made explicit and the supersymmetry is extended. New bosonic symmetry is the square of the new fermionic symmetry. The D term is now the parameter of the bosonic symmetry. This construction provides us with an equivariant complex together with a Cartan differential and makes the use of…
This paper tentatively conjectures a possible physical picture that may help explain links between quantum field theories and string theories. A correspondence might occur if the stringy parameters $τ$ and $σ_i $ are interpreted as representing particular types of observer capabilities. Observer limitations could be imposed by symmetries of relevant quantum mechanical observer states. It is possible that this postulate may in future be able to go a small way towards understanding a physical basis for some of the dualities that have been found in string/field theory.
The Lagrange--Poincaré equations for the mechanical system describing the motion of a scalar particle on a Riemannian manifold with a given free and isometric action of a compact Lie group is obtained. In an arising principle fibre bundle, the total space of which serves as a configuration space of the considered mechanical system, the local description of the reduced motion is done in terms of dependent coordinates. In obtaining of the equations we use the variational principle developed by Poincaré for the mechanical systems with a symmetry.
When several inequivalent supercharges form a closed superalgebra in Quantum Mechanics it entails the appearance of hidden symmetries of a Super-Hamiltonian. We examine this problem in one-dimensional QM for the case of periodic potentials and potentials with finite number of bound states. After the survey of the results existing in the subject the algebraic and analytic properties of hidden-symmetry differential operators are rigorously elaborated in the Theorems and illuminated by several examples.
Every classical Newtonian mechanical system can be equipped with a nonstandard Hamiltonian structure, in which the Hamiltonian is the square of the canonical Hamiltonian up to a constant shift, and the Poisson bracket is nonlinear. In such a formalism, time translation symmetry can be spontaneously broken, provided the potential function becomes negative. A nice analogy between time translation symmetry breaking and the Landau theory of second order phase transitions is established, together with several example cases illustrating time translation breaking ground states. In particular, the $Λ$…
We generalize the formulation of non-commutative quantum mechanics to three dimensional non-commutative space. Particular attention is paid to the identification of the quantum Hilbert space in which the physical states of the system are to be represented, the construction of the representation of the rotation group on this space, the deformation of the Leibnitz rule accompanying this representation and the implied necessity of deforming the co-product to restore the rotation symmetry automorphism. This also implies the breaking of rotational invariance on the level of the Schroedinger action …
Based on the results in [Nucl. Phys. B 866 (2013) 212], we consider a way to construct a higher-derivative mechanical model which possesses the $l$-conformal Galilei symmetry. The dynamical system describes generalized Pais-Uhlenbeck oscillator in the presence of an effective external field.
We introduce functional degrees of freedom by a new gauge principle related to the phase of the wave functional. Thus, quantum mechanical systems are dissipatively embedded into a nonlinear classical dynamical structure. There is a necessary fundamental length, besides an entropy/area parameter, and standard couplings. For states that are sufficiently spread over configuration space, quantum field theory is recovered.
In addition to the usual supersymmetric (SUSY) continuous symmetry transformations for the general N = 2 SUSY quantum mechanical model, we show the existence of a set of novel discrete symmetry transformations for the Lagrangian of the above SUSY quantum mechanical model. Out of all these discrete symmetry transformations, a unique discrete transformation corresponds to the Hodge duality operation of differential geometry and the above SUSY continuous symmetry transformations (and their anticommutator) provide the physical realizations of the de Rham cohomological operators of differential geo…
The U(1) gauge field is usually induced from the gauge principle, that is, the extension of global U(1) phase transformation for matter field. However the phase itself is realized only for quantum theory. In this paper we introduce the U(1) gauge field and gauge coupling from the gauge principle classically. The gauge symmetry is spontaneously broken from the out set. The Higgs mechanism occurs and we obtain the London equation. The Hydrodynamical interpretation of classical field we utilized is given, and the relation to super conductivity is discussed.
In order to derive a large set of Hamiltonian dynamical systems, but with only first order Lagrangian, we resort to the formulation in terms of Lagrange-Souriau 2-form formalism. A wide class of systems derived in different phenomenological contexts are covered. The non-commutativity of the particle position coordinates are a natural consequence. Some explicit examples are considered.
The superspace Lagrangian formulation of N=1 supersymmetric quantum mechanics is presented. The general Lagrangian constructed out of chiral and antichiral supercoordinates containing up to two derivatives and with a canonically normalized kinetic energy term describes the motion of a nonrelativistic spin 1/2 particle with Landé g-factor 2 moving in two spatial dimensions under the influence of a static but spatially dependent magnetic field. Noether's theorem is derived for the general case and is used to construct superspace dependent charges whose lowest components give the superconformal g…
We reconsider the generalization of standard quantum mechanics in which the position operators do not commute. We argue that the standard formalism found in the literature leads to theories that do not share the symmetries present in the corresponding commutative system. We propose a general prescription to specify a Hamiltonian in the noncommutative theory that preserves the existing symmetries. We show that it is always possible to choose this Hamiltonian in such a way that the energy spectrum of the standard and non-commuting theories are identical, so that experimental differences between …
An unconventional outlook on relationship between the quantum mechanics and special relativity is proposed. We show that the two fundamental postulates of quantum mechanics of Planck and de Broglie combined with the idea of comparison scale (explained in the paper), are enough to introduce relativistic description. We argue that Lorentz group is the symmetry group of quantum, preferred frame description. We indicate that the departure from the orthodox relativity postulate allows us, in easy way, to make special relativity and quantum mechanics indivisible whole.
Renormalization of the inverse square potential usually breaks its classical conformal invariance. In a strongly attractive potential, the scaling symmetry is broken to a discrete subgroup while, in a strongly repulsive potential, it is preserved at quantum level. In the intermediate, weak-medium range of the coupling, an anomalous length scale appears due to a flow of the renormalization group away from a critical point. We show that potentials with couplings in the strongly-repulsive and in the weak-medium ranges can be related by a dynamical supersymmetry. Imposing SUSY invariance unifies t…
We present a new multiparticle model of $\mathcal{N}{=}\,8$ mechanics with superconformal $F(4)$ symmetry. The system is constructed in terms of two matrix $\mathcal{N}{=}\,4$ multiplets. One of them is a bosonic matrix $({\bf 1, 4, 3})$ multiplet and another is a fermionic $({\bf 0, 4, 4})$ one. Off-diagonal bosonic components of the $({\bf 1, 4, 3})$ multiplet are chosen to take values in the flag manifold $\mathrm{U}(n)/[\mathrm{U}(1)]^n$ and they carry additional gauge symmetries. The explicit form of the $F(4)$ supersymmetry generators is found. We demonstrate that the $F(4)$ superalgebra…
Local gauge freedom in relativistic quantum mechanics is derived from a measurement principle for space and time. For the Dirac equation, one obtains local U(2,2) gauge transformations acting on the spinor index of the wave functions. This local U(2,2) symmetry allows a unified description of electrodynamics and general relativity as a classical gauge theory.
We use fits to recent published CPLEAR data on neutral kaon decays to $π^+π^-$ and $πeν$ to constrain the CPT--violation parameters appearing in a formulation of the neutral kaon system as an open quantum-mechanical system. The obtained upper limits of the CPT--violation parameters are approaching the range suggested by certain ideas concerning quantum gravity.
We describe the implications of permutation symmetry for the state space and dynamics of quantum mechanical systems of matrices of general size $N$. We solve the general 11- parameter permutation invariant quantum matrix harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian and calculate the canonical partition function. The permutation invariant sector of the Hilbert space, for general Hamiltonians, can be described using partition algebra diagrams forming the bases of a tower of partition algebras $P_k(N)$. The integer $k$ is interpreted as the degree of matrix oscillator polynomials in the quantum mechanics. Fam…
We present a systematic phenomenological analysis of the tests of CPT symmetry that are possible within an {\em open} quantum-mechanical description of the neutral kaon system that is motivated by arguments based on quantum gravity and string theory. We develop a perturbative expansion in terms of the three small CPT-violating parameters admitted in this description, and provide expressions for a complete set of $K \rightarrow 2π, 3π$ and $π\ellν$ decay observables to second order in these small parameters. We also illustrate the new tests of CPT symmetry and quantum mechanics that are possibl…
The acceleration-dependent system with noncommuting coordinates, proposed by Lukierski, Stichel and Zakrzewski [Ann. Phys. 260, 224 (1997)] is derived as the non-relativistic limit of Mathisson's classical electron [Acta Physica Polonica 6, 218 (1937)], further discussed by Weyssenhoff and Raabe [Acta Physica Polonica 9, 7 (1947)]. The two-parameter centrally extended Galilean symmetry of the model is recoved using elementary methods. The relation to Schrödinger's Zitternde Elektron is indicated.
Any quantum-mechanical system possesses a U(1) gerbe naturally defined on configuration space. Acting on Feynman's kernel exp(iS/h), this U(1) symmetry allows one to arbitrarily pick the origin for the classical action S, on a point-by-point basis on configuration space. This is equivalent to the statement that quantum mechanics is a U(1) gauge theory. Unlike Yang-Mills theories, however, the geometry of this gauge symmetry is not given by a fibre bundle, but rather by a gerbe. Since this gauge symmetry is spontaneously broken, an analogue of the Higgs mechanism must be present. We prove that …
The usual methods for formulating and solving the quantum mechanics of a particle moving in a magnetic field respect neither locality nor any global symmetries which happen to be present. For example, Landau's solution for a particle moving in a uniform magnetic field in the plane involves choosing a gauge in which neither translation nor rotation invariance are manifest. We show that locality can be made manifest by passing to a redundant description in which the particle moves on a $U(1)$-principal bundle over the original configuration space and that symmetry can be made manifest by passing…
Some aspects of the "exotic" particle, associated with the two-parameter central extension of the planar Galilei group are reviewed. A fundamental property is that it has non-commuting position coordinates. Other and generalized non-commutative models are also discussed. Minimal as well as anomalous coupling to an external electromagnetic field is presented. Supersymmetric extension is also considered. Exotic Galilean symmetry is also found in Moyal field theory. Similar equations arise for a semiclassical Bloch electron, used to explain the anomalous/spin/optical Hall effects.
We study quantum mechanical systems with $\mathfrak{osp}(4^{*}|4)$ superconformal symmetry. We classify unitary lowest-weight representations of this superconformal algebra and define an index which receives contributions from short and semi-short multiplets only. We consider the example of a quantum mechanical $σ$-model with hyper-Kähler target $\mathcal{M}$ equipped with a triholomorphic homothety. The superconformal index coincides with the Witten index of a novel form of supersymmetric quantum mechanics for a particle moving on $\mathcal{M}$ in a background magnetic field in which an unbro…
By adding an imaginary interacting term proportional to ip_1p_2 to the Hamiltonian of a free anisotropic planar oscillator, we construct a new model which is described by the PT-pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian with the permutation symmetry of two dimensions. We prove that our model is equivalent to the Pais-Uhlenbeck oscillator and thus establish a relationship between our PT-pseudo-Hermitian system and the fourth-order derivative oscillator model. We also point out the spontaneous breaking of permutation symmetry which plays a crucial role in giving a real spectrum free of interchange of positiv…
We consider the superconformal quantum mechanics associated to BPS black holes in type IIB Calabi-Yau compactifications. This quantum mechanics describes the dynamics of D-branes in the near-horizon attractor geometry of the black hole. In many cases, the black hole entropy can be found by counting the number of chiral primaries in this quantum mechanics. Both the attractor mechanism and notions of marginal stability play important roles in generating the large number of microstates required to explain this entropy. We compute the microscopic entropy explicitly in a few different cases, where …
By exploiting the supersymmetric invariant restrictions on the chiral and anti-chiral supervariables, we derive the off-shell nilpotent symmetry transformations for a specific (0 + 1)-dimensional N = 2 supersymmetric quantum mechanical model which is considered on a (1, 2)-dimensional supermanifold (parametrized by a bosonic variable t and a pair of Grassmannian variables (θ, \barθ). We also provide the geometrical meaning to the symmetry transformations. Finally, we show that this specific N = 2 SUSY quantum mechanical model is a model for Hodge theory.
We study the quantum mechanics of 3-index Majorana fermions $ψ^{abc}$ governed by a quartic Hamiltonian with $O(N)^3$ symmetry. Similarly to the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model, this tensor model has a solvable large $N$ limit dominated by the melonic diagrams. For $N=4$ the total number of states is $2^{32}$, but they naturally break up into distinct sectors according to the charges under the $U(1)\times U(1)$ Cartan subgroup of one of the $O(4)$ groups. The biggest sector has vanishing charges and contains over $165$ million states. Using a Lanczos algorithm, we determine the spectrum of the low-lyi…
The ``exotic'' particle model with non-commuting position coordinates, associated with the two-parameter central extension of the planar Galilei group, can be used to derive the ground states of the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect. The relation to other NC models is discussed. Anomalous coupling is presented. Similar equations arise for a semiclassical Bloch electron, used to explain the anomalous/spin/optical Hall effects.
We introduce a family of tensor quantum-mechanical models based on irreducible rank-$3$ representations of $\mathrm{Sp}(N)$. In contrast to irreducible tensor models with $\mathrm{O}(N)$ symmetry, the fermionic tetrahedral interaction does not vanish and can therefore support a melonic large $N$ limit. The strongly-coupled regime has a very analogous structure as in the complex SYK model or in $\mathrm{U}(N)\times\mathrm{O}(N)\times\mathrm{U}(N)$ tensor quantum mechanics, the main difference being that the states are now singlets under $\mathrm{Sp}(N)$. We introduce character formulas that enu…
Various examples of exactly solvable `discrete' quantum mechanics are explored explicitly with emphasis on shape invariance, Heisenberg operator solutions, annihilation-creation operators, the dynamical symmetry algebras and coherent states. The eigenfunctions are the (q-)Askey-scheme of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials satisfying difference equation versions of the Schrödinger equation. Various reductions (restrictions) of the symmetry algebra of the Askey-Wilson system are explored in detail.
An 't Hooft anomaly is the obstruction for gauging symmetries, and it constrains possible low-energy behaviors of quantum field theories by excluding trivial infrared theories. Global inconsistency condition is recently proposed as a milder condition but is expected to play an almost same role by comparing high symmetry points in the theory space. In order to clarify the consequence coming from this new condition, we discuss several quantum mechanical models with topological angles and explicitly compute their energy spectra. It turns out that the global inconsistency can be saturated not only…
We overcome the barrier of constructing N=4 superconformal models in one space dimension for more than three particles. The D(2,1;alpha) superalgebra of our systems is realized on the coordinates and momenta of the particles, their superpartners and one complex pair of harmonic variables. The models are determined by two prepotentials, F and U, which must obey the WDVV and a Killing-type equation plus homogeneity conditions. We investigate permutation-symmetric solutions, with and without translation invariance. Models based on deformed A_n and BCD_n root systems are constructed for any value …
