The problem of the position and spin in relativistic quantum mechanics is analyzed in detail. It is definitively shown that the position and spin operators in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation (but not in the Dirac one) are quantum-mechanical counterparts of the classical position and spin variables. The probabilistic interpretation is valid only for Foldy-Wouthuysen wave functions. The relativistic spin operators are discussed. The spin-orbit interaction does not exist for a free particle if the conventional operators of the orbital angular momentum and the rest-frame spin are used. Alternative definitions of the orbital angular momentum and the spin are based on noncommutative geometry, do not satisfy standard commutation relations, and can allow the spin-orbit interaction.
In this work, we give the wave equations of relativistic and non-relativistic quantum mechanics which are different from the Schrödinger and Klein-Gordon equation, and we also give the new relativistic wave equation of a charged particle in an electromagnetic field
The star product formalism has proved to be an alternative formulation for nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. We want introduce here a covariant star product in order to extend the star product formalism to relativistic quantum mechanics in the proper time formulation.
A quantum version of the action principle is considered in the case of a free relativistic particle. The classical limit of the quantum action is obtained.
The spin-statistics connection has been proved for nonrelativistic quantum mechanics (Jabs, A., 2010: Found. Phys., {\bf 40}, 776-792). The proof is extended here to the relativistic regime using the parametrized Dirac equation. A causality condition is not required.
Conventional relativistic quantum mechanics, based on the Klein-Gordon equation, does not possess a natural probabilistic interpretation in configuration space. The Bohmian interpretation, in which probabilities play a secondary role, provides a viable interpretation of relativistic quantum mechanics. We formulate the Bohmian interpretation of many-particle wave functions in a Lorentz-covariant way. In contrast with the nonrelativistic case, the relativistic Bohmian interpretation may lead to measurable predictions on particle positions even when the conventional interpretation does not lead t…
The interaction of a moving charged particle with its coherent electromagnetic field is analysed in the framework of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. It is shown that, when this interaction is taken into account, a spatially localized state may have a mean energy lower than the one corresponding to a delocalized state.
We study the classical dynamics of non-relativistic particles endowed with spin. Non-vanishing Zitterbewegung terms appear in the equation of motion also in the small momentum limit. We derive a generalized work-energy theorem which suggests classical interpretations for tunnel effect and quantum potential.
The quantum mechanical motion of a relativistic particle in a non-continuous spacetime is investigated. The spacetime model is a dense, rationale subset of two-dimensional Minkowski spacetime. Solutions of the Dirac equation are calculated using a generalized version of Feynman's checkerboard model. They turn out to be closely related to the continuum propagator.
Kastner (arXiv:1709.09367) and Kastner and Cramer (arXiv:1711.04501) argue that the Relativistic Transactional Interpretation (RTI) of quantum mechanics provides a clear definition of absorbers and a solution to the measurement problem. I briefly examine how RTI stands with respect to unitarity in quantum mechanics. I then argue that a specific proposal to locate the origin of nonunitarity is flawed, at least in its present form.
In this work, we follow the idea of the De Broglie's matter waves and the analogous method that Schrödinger founded wave equation, but we apply the more essential Hamilton principle instead of the minimum action principle of Jacobi which was used in setting up Schrödinger wave equation. Thus, we obtain a novel non-relativistic wave equation which is different from the Schrödinger equation, and relativistic wave equation including free and non-free particle. In addition, we get the spin 1/2 particle wave equation in potential field.
We discuss the numerous advantages of using dimensionless equations in non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Dimensionless equations are considerably simpler and reveal the number of relevant parameters in the models. They are less prone to round-off errors when applying numerical methods because all the quantities are of the other of unity. A dimensionless equation facilitates the application of perturbation theory and provides a glimpse of the sort of solution we are going to obtain beforehand.
We first give the solution for the local approximation of a four parameter family of generalized one-dimensional point interactions within the framework of non-relativistic model with three neighboring $δ$ functions. We also discuss the problem within relativistic (Dirac) framework and give the solution for a three parameter family. It gives a physical interpretation for so-called $ε$ potential. It will be also shown that the scattering properties at high energy substantially differ between non-relativistic and relativistic cases.
We show that quantum mechanics can be given a Lorentz-invariant realistic interpretation by applying our recently proposed relativistic extension of the de Broglie-Bohm theory to deduce non-locally correlated, Lorentz-invariant individual particle motions for the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen experiment and the double-interferometer experiment proposed by Horne, Shimony and Zeilinger.
We demonstrate how to construct a lorentz-invariant, hidden-variable interpretation of relativistic quantum mechanics based on particle trajectories. The covariant theory that we propose employs a multi-time formalism and a lorentz-invariant rule for the coordination of the space-time points on the individual particle trajectories. In this way we show that there is no contradiction between nonlocality and lorentz invariance in quantum mechanics. The approach is illustrated for relativistic bosons, using a simple model to discuss the individual non-locally correlated particle motion which ensue…
Relativistic free-motion time-of-arrival theory for massive spin-1/2 particles is systematically developed. Contrary to the nonrelativistic time-of-arrival operator studied thoroughly in previous literatures, the relativistic time-of-arrival operator possesses self-adjoint extensions because of the particle-antiparticle symmetry. The nonrelativistic limit of our theory is in agreement with the nonrelativistic time-of-arrival theory.
We propose a quantum clock synchronization protocol in which Bob makes a remote measurement on Alice's quantum clock via a third qubit acting as its proxy. It is shown that the resulting correlations are dependent on the choice of the hypersurface along which Bob's measurement of the proxy is deemed to collapse the entangled state vector. A proper characterization of observables in relativistic quantum mechanics is therefore constrained by relativistic covariance as well as causality.
This article develops a variational formulation for the relativistic Klein-Gordon equation. The main results are obtained through an extension of the classical mechanics approach to a more general context, which in some sense, includes the quantum mechanics one. For the second part of the text, the definition of normal field and its relation with the wave function concept play a fundamental role in the main results establishment. Among the applications, we include a model with the presence of electromagnetic fields and also the modeling of a chemical reaction. Finally, in the last section, we …
The Levi-Civita transformation is applied in the two-dimensional (2D) Dirac and Klein-Gordon (KG) equations with equal external scalar and vector potentials. The Coulomb and harmonic oscillator problems are connected via the Levi-Civita transformation. These connections lead to an approach to solve the Coulomb problems using the results of the harmonic oscillator potential in the above-mentioned relativistic systems.
A new formulation of relativistic quantum mechanics is presented and applied to a free, massive, and spin zero elementary particle in the Minkowski spacetime. The reformulation requires that time and space, as well as the timelike and spacelike intervals, are treated equally, which makes the new theory fully symmetric and consistent with the Special Theory of Relativity. The theory correctly reproduces the classical action of a relativistic particle in the path integral formalism, and allows for the introduction of a new quantity called vector-mass, whose physical implications for nonlocality,…
Modal interpretations of quantum mechanics assign definite properties to physical systems and specify single-time joint probabilities of these properties. We show that a natural extension, applying to properties at several times, can be given if a decoherence condition is satisfied. This extension defines "consistent histories" of modal properties. We suggest a new form of the modal scheme, that offers prospects of a more general applicability of the histories concept. Finally, we discuss a possible way of applying these ideas to relativistic quantum field theory.
In relativistic quantum constraint mechanics the state of a physical system is constrained to a 3-dimensional subspace of Minkowski 4-space. Fourier transformation can be used to relate this state between constraint spaces in 4-position and 4-momentum space. It is shown that integral transforms of this nature can be carried out using Lorentz-invariant 3-dimensional constraint space coordinates such that a complete equivalence class of 4-space representations can be constructed from the transform. This method is further applied to develop a relativistic generalization of the Segal-Bargmann tran…
On the basis of the relativistic symmetry of Minkowski space, we derive a Lorentz invariant equation for a spread electron. This equation slightly differs from the Dirac equation and includes additional terms originating from the spread of an electron. Further, we calculate the anomalous magnetic moment based on these terms. These calculations do not include any divergence; therefore, renormalization procedures are unnecessary. In addition, the relativistic symmetry existing among coordinate systems will provide a new prospect for the foundations of quantum mechanics like the measurement proce…
This is a comment to the paper, Limitations on the superposition principle: superselection rules in non-relativistic quantum mechanics by C Cisneros et al 1998 Eur. J. Phys. 19 237. doi:10.1088/0143-0807/19/3/005. The proof that the authors construct for the limitation on the superposition of state vectors corresponding to different sectors of the Hilbert space, partitioned by a superoperator has a flaw as outlined below.
The logical inference approach to quantum theory, proposed earlier [Ann. Phys. 347 (2014) 45-73], is considered in a relativistic setting. It is shown that the Klein-Gordon equation for a massive, charged, and spinless particle derives from the combination of the requirements that the space-time data collected by probing the particle is obtained from the most robust experiment and that on average, the classical relativistic equation of motion of a particle holds.
We consider the Dirac equation with a generalized uncertainty principle in the presence of the Harmonic interaction and an external magnetic field. By doing the study in the momentum space, the problem solved in an exact analytical manner and the eigenfucntions reported in terms of the hypergeometric functions.
We consider the quantum simulation of relativistic quantum mechanics, as described by the Dirac equation and classical potentials, in trapped-ion systems. We concentrate on three problems of growing complexity. First, we study the bidimensional relativistic scattering of single Dirac particles by a linear potential. Furthermore, we explore the case of a Dirac particle in a magnetic field and its topological properties. Finally, we analyze the problem of two Dirac particles that are coupled by a controllable and confining potential. The latter interaction may be useful to study important phenom…
We show under which conditions a particle scatters coherently on a multi-particles system, working in the non relativistic framework. In a nutshell, in order to have coherent scattering, the incident particle has to not resolve the internal structure of the composite system. We show that the above condition is satisfied when the de Broglie length of the incident particle is much larger than the size of the system.
It is first shown that the Dirac's equation in a relativistic frame could be modified to allow discrete time, in agreement to a recently published upper bound. Next, an exact self-adjoint $4\times 4$ relativistic time operator for spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ particles is found and the time eigenstates for the non-relativistic case are obtained and discussed. Results confirm the quantum mechanical speculation that particles can indeed occupy negative energy levels with vanishingly small but non-zero probablity, contrary to the general expectation from classical physics. Hence, Wolfgang Pauli's objection…
We develop an unified algebraic approach to the description of gauge interactions within the framework of a new concept of quantum mechanics. The next step in generalizing the space-time and the action vector space is made. The gauge field is defined through linear mappings in the generalized space-time and the action space. Relativistic quantum mechanics equations for particles in a gauge field are derived from the structure equations for the action space expanded in the linear mappings of action vectors. In a special case, these equations are reduced to the relativistic equations for the lep…
The derivation becomes possible when we find a new formalism which connects the relativistic mechanics with the quantum mechanics. In this paper, we explore the quantum wave nature from the Newtonian mechanics by using a concept: velocity field. At first, we rewrite the relativistic Newton's second law as a field equation in terms of the velocity field, which directly reveals a new relationship connecting to the quantum mechanics. Next, we show that the Dirac equation can be derived from the field equation in a rigorous and consistent manner.
In this article, the axioms presented in the first one are reformulated according to the special theory of relativity. Using these axioms, quantum mechanic's relativistic equations are obtained in the presence of electromagnetic fields for both the density function and the probability amplitude. It is shown that, within the present theory's scope, Dirac's second order equation should be considered the fundamental one in spite of the first order equation. A relativistic expression is obtained for the statistical potential. Axioms are again altered and made compatible with the general theory of …
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 article we show that the fundamental equations of relativistic Bohmian mechanics for a single particle can be derived from a scalar theory of curved space-time.
I present a short overview of my recent achievements on the Bohmian interpretation of relativistic quantum mechanics, quantum field theory and string theory. This includes the relativistic-covariant Bohmian equations for particle trajectories, the problem of particle creation and destruction, the Bohmian interpretation of fermionic fields and the intrinsically Bohmian quantization of fields and strings based on the De Donder-Weyl covariant canonical formalism.
Many wave phenomena are related to interactions. Considering once neglected interactions in some cases, states of large objects and Newton's idea about measurement, we attempt to modify some concepts and principles of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Our modifications may help one to understand some typical quantum phenomena with near classical and intuitive ideas without changing past correct results, may mediate some contradictions logically, and then may partially perfect non-relativistic quantum mechanics. We also give a review of the argument between Einstein and Bohr about non-relativ…
This paper can be seen as an exercise in how to adapt quantum mechanics from a strict relativistic perspective while being respectful and critical towards the experimental achievements of the contemporary theory. The result is a fully observer independent relativistic quantum mechanics for N particle systems without tachyonic solutions. A remaining worry for the moment is Bell's theorem.
It is shown that quantum entanglement is the only force able to maintain the fourth state of matter, possessing fixed shape at an arbitrary volume. Accordingly, a new relativistic Schrodinger equation is derived and transformed further to the relativistic Bohmian mechanics via the Madelung transformation. Three dissipative models are proposed as extensions of the quantum relativistic Hamilton-Jacobi equation. The corresponding dispersion relations are obtained.
We show that non-relativistic and relativistic mechanical systems on a configuration space Q can be seen as the conservative Dirac constraint systems with zero Hamiltonians on different subbundles of the same cotangent bundle T^*Q. The geometric quantization of this cotangent bundle under the vertical polarization leads to compatible covariant quantizations of non-relativistic and relativistic Hamiltonian mechanics.
To describe a relativistic hydrogen atom we used the Poincare-covariant model of a two particle system with gauge invariant potential. The kernel of the radial integral equation is obtained which describes a system of two fermions with electromagnetic interaction.
In this paper we generalize the ideas of de Broglie and Bohm to the relativistic case which is based on the relativistic Schrödinger equation. In this regard, the relativistic forms of the guidance equation and quantum potential are derived. In our formulation of Relativistic Bohmian Mechanic, the quantum equilibrium hypothesis $(ρ=|ψ|^{2})$ and the probabilistic interpretation of the wave function are not an intrinsic feature of the theory as well as expected from the theoretical structure of Bohmian mechanics but still we can extract the statistical predictions of this theory. In fact with a…
In this paper, we propose a new approach to the relativistic quantum mechanics for many-body, which is a self-consistent system constructed by juxtaposed but mutually coupled nonlinear Dirac's equations. The classical approximation of this approach provides the exact Newtonian dynamics for many-body, and the nonrelativistic approximation gives the complete Schrödinger equation for many-body.
Starting from the canonical formalism of relativistic (timeless) quantum mechanics, the formulation of timeless path integral is rigorously derived. The transition amplitude is reformulated as the sum, or functional integral, over all possible paths in the constraint surface specified by the (relativistic) Hamiltonian constraint, and each path contributes with a phase identical to the classical action divided by $\hbar$. The timeless path integral manifests the timeless feature as it is completely independent of the parametrization for paths. For the special case that the Hamiltonian constrain…
By using the general concepts of special relativity and the requirements of quantum mechanics, Dirac equation is derived and studied. Only elementary knowledge of spin and rotations in quantum mechanics and standard handlings of linear algebra are employed for the development of the present work.
A probabilistic interpretation of one-particle relativistic quantum mechanics is proposed. Quantum Action Principle formulated earlier is used for to make the dynamics of the Minkowsky time variable of a particle to be classical. After that, quantum dynamics of a particle in the 3D space obtains the ordinary probabilistic interpretation. In addition, the classical dynamics of the Minkowsky time variable may serve as a tool for "observation" of the quantum dynamics of a particle. A relativistic analog of the hydrogen atom energy spectrum is obtained.
Quantum Action Principle formulated earlier is used as a ground for a probabilistic interpretation of one-particle relativistic quantum mechanics. In this new approach the probability "flows" in the Minkowsky space being dependent on an inner time parameter which we interpret as a particle life time. The life time is determined as a function of observable parameters of the real experiment by means of an additional condition of stationarity for the quantum action.
At the time of publication of H. Everett's Relative-State Formulation (1957) and DeWitt's Many-Worlds Interpretation (1970), quantum mechanics was available in a more modern and adequate version than the one used by these authors. We show that with the more modern quantum theory, quantum measurement could have been analyzed along more conventional lines in a one-world cosmology. Bell criticized the Everett-DeWitt theory quite sharply in 1987 but this seems not to have affected the acceptance of the old quantum mechanics as the framework for analysis of measurement.
I present a relativistic covariant version of the Bohmian interpretation of quantum mechanics and discuss the corresponding measurable predictions. The covariance is incoded in the fact that the nonlocal quantum potential transforms as a scalar, which is a consequence of the fact that the nonlocal wave function transforms as a scalar. The measurable predictions that can be obtained with the deterministic Bohmian interpretation cannot be obtained with the conventional interpretation simply because the conventional probabilistic interpretation does not work in the case of relativistic quantum me…
A relativistic spin operator is to be the difference between the total and orbital angular momentum. As the unique position operator for a localized state, the remarkable Newton-Wigner position operator, which has all desirable commutation relations as a position operator, can give a proper spin operator. Historically important three spin operators respectively proposed by Bogolubov et al., Pryce, and Foldy-Woutheysen are investigated to manifest a corresponding spin operator to the Newton-Wigner position operator. We clarify a unique spin operator in relativistic quantum mechanics described b…
We analyse a relativistic scalar particle with a position-dependent mass in a spacetime with a space-like dislocation by showing that relativistic bound states solutions can be achieved. Further, we consider the presence of the Coulomb potential and analyse the relativistic position-dependent mass system subject to the Coulomb potential in the spacetime with a space-like dislocation. We also show that a new set of relativistic bound states solutions can be obtained, where there also exists the influence of torsion of the relativistic energy levels. Finally, we investigate an analogue of the Ah…
Up to now it has been impossible to find a realistic interpretation for the reduction process in relativistic quantum mechanics. The basic problem is the dependence of the states on the frame within which collapse takes place. A suitable use of the causal structure of the devices involved in the measurement process allows us to introduce a covariant notion for the collapse of quantum states.
A relativistic Hamiltonian mechanical system is seen as a conservative Dirac constraint system on the cotangent bundle of a pseudo-Riemannian manifold. We provide geometric quantization of this cotangent bundle where the quantum constraint serves as a relativistic quantum equation.
This article is a pedagogical introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics of the free Majorana particle. This relatively simple theory differs from the well-known quantum mechanics of the Dirac particle in several important aspects. We present its three equivalent formulations. Next, so called axial momentum observable is introduced, and general solution of the Dirac equation is discussed in terms of eigenfunctions of that operator. Pertinent irreducible representations of the Poincaré group are discussed. Finally, we show that in the case of massless Majorana particle the quantum mechanics…
An explicit dynamical model for non relativistic quantum mechanics with an effective gravitational interaction is proposed, which, as being well defined, allows in principle for the evaluation of every physical quantity. Its non unitary dynamics results from a unitary one in a space with twice as many degrees of freedom as the ordinary ones. It exhibits a threshold for the emergence of classical behavior for bodies of ordinary density on rather long times or instantaneously, respectively at around 10^11 or 10^20 proton masses.
The relativistic calculations of the electromagnetic form factors, static moments and lepton decay constant of the $ρ$-meson are given in the framework of the instant form of the relativistic quantum mechanics with different model wave functions. The modified impulse approximation (MIA) is used for the electroweak current operator. MIA provides Lorentz covariance and conservation law for current operators. The developed approach gives the nonzero quadrupole moment due to the relativistic Wigner spin rotation in the $S$-state of the quarks in $ρ$-meson
In classical relativistic mechanics, a "preferred" proper direction in spacetime for each particle is determined by the direction of its 4-momentum. Analogously, for each quantum particle we find a local direction uniquely determined by the many-particle wave function, which for each particle defines the proper foliation of spacetime. This can be used to formulate a relativistic-covariant version of Bohmian mechanics, with equivariant probability density on proper hypersurfaces.
The kinematic time operator can be naturally defined in relativistic and nonrelativistic quantum mechanics (QM) by treating time on an equal footing with space. The spacetime-position operator acts in the Hilbert space of functions of space and time. Dynamics, however, makes eigenstates of the time operator unphysical. This poses a problem for the standard interpretation of QM and reinforces the role of alternative interpretations such as the Bohmian one. The Bohmian interpretation, despite of being nonlocal in accordance with the Bell theorem, is shown to be relativistic covariant.
