We derive the classical Hamilton-Jacobi equation from first principles as the natural description for smooth stochastic processes when one neglects stochastic velocity fluctuations. The Schrödinger equation is shown to be the natural exact equation for describing smooth stochastic processes. In particular, processes with up to quadratic stochastic fluctuations are electromagnetically coupled quantum point particles. The stochastic derivation offers a clear geometric picture for Quantum Mechanics as a locally realistic hidden variable theory. While that sounds paradoxical, we show that Bell's formula for local realism is incomplete. If one includes smooth stochastic fluctuations for the hidden variables, local realism is preserved and quantum mechanics is obtained. Quantum mechanics should therefore be viewed as a "nondeterministic, non-Bell locally realistic hidden variable theory". Since the description is simply a stochastic process, it should be relatively straightforward to create mesoscopic analogue systems that show all the hallmarks of Quantum Mechanics, including super-Bell correlations. In fact, any system that can be described by the linear time evolution of a density matrix is both a stochastic and a Quantum system from our point of view, since we show that the existence of a transition probability density directly implies the existence of a density matrix. Systems for which the stochastic degrees of freedom vary smoothly over time have quantum Hamiltonians with standard kinetic terms.
The von Neumann collapse of the quantum mechanical wavefunction after a position measurement is derived by a purely probabilistic mechanism in the context of Nelson's stochastic mechanics.
This paper suggests a new way to compute the path integral for simple quantum mechanical systems. The new algorithm originated from previous research in string theory. However, its essential simplicity is best illustrated in the case of a free non relativistic particle, discussed here, and can be appreciated by most students taking an introductory course in Quantum Mechanics. Indeed, the emphasis is on the role played by the {\it entire family of classical trajectories} in terms of which the path integral is computed exactly using a functional representation of the Dirac delta-distribution. We…
We present in this continuation paper a new axiomatic derivation of the Schrödinger equation from three basic postulates. This new derivation sheds some light on the thermodynamic character of the quantum formalism. We also show the formal connection between this derivation and the one previously done by other means. Some considerations about metaestability are also drawn. We return to an example previously developed to show how the connection between both derivations works.
Bell's inequalities in the form given by Wigner are derived from the so-called fundamental assumption of statistical mechanics. I then demonstrate the possible relationship between these inequalities and the second law, particularly if assuming the Pauli exclusion principle dictates the expected outcomes.
Products and tensor products are linked by a universal property. Imposing the invariance of the laws of Nature under tensor composition along with Leibniz identity determines quantum and classical mechanics algebraic structure through the interplay between products, coproducts, and the tensor product. Violations of Bell's inequalities distinguishes quantum from classical mechanics.
We comment on the Friedmann and Hagen's quantum mechanical derivation of the Wallis formula for $π$. In particular, we demonstrate that not only the Gaussian trial function, used by Friedmann and Hagen, but also the Lorentz trial function can be used to get the Wallis formula. The anatomy of the integrals leading to the appearance of the Wallis ratio is carefully revealed.
The derivation of the time dependent Schrödinger equation with transversal and longitudinal relaxation, as the quantum mechanical analog of the classical Landau-Lifshitz-Bloch equation, has been described. Starting from the classical Landau-Lifshitz-Bloch equation the transition to quantum mechanics has been performed and the corresponding von-Neumann equation deduced. In a second step the time Schrödinger equation has been derived. Analytical proofs and computer simulations show the correctness and applicability of the derived Schrödinger equation.
After introducing sketchily Bohr's wave-particle complementarity principle in his own words, a derivation of an extended form of the principle from standard quantum mechanics is performed. Reality-evaluation of each step is given. The derived theory is applied to simple examples and the extended entities are illustrated in a thought experiment. Assessment of the approach of Bohr and of this article is taken up again with a rather negative conclusion as far as reflecting reality is concerned. The paper ends with selected incisive opinions on Bohr's dogmatic attitude and with some comments by th…
Quantum mechanics is based on a series of postulates which lead to a very good description of the microphysical realm but which have, up to now, not been derived from first principles. In the present work, we suggest such a derivation in the framework of the theory of scale relativity. After having analyzed the actual status of the various postulates, rules and principles that underlie the present axiomatic foundation of quantum mechanics (in terms of main postulates, secondary rules and derived `principles'), we attempt to provide the reader with an exhaustive view of the matter, by both gath…
According to the widely accepted notion, the Schr{ö}dinger equation (SE) is not derivable in principle. Contrary to this belief, we present here a straightforward derivation of SE. It is based on only two fundamentals of mechanics: the classical Hamilton-Jacobi equation(HJE) and the Planck postulate about the discrete transfer of energy at micro-scales. Our approach is drastically different from the other published derivations of SE which either employ an ad hoc underlying assumption about the probabilistic or the statistical nature of the micro-scale phenomena, or rely on the prior knowledge …
Starting from the quantum mechanics for $N$ particles, we show that we can directly derive the microcanonical ensemble average of the physical quantity $A$ by using only the long time average and the equal probability assumption for the equal energy states. The system is considered to be embedded in the outer world and we describe them in terms of the density matrix method.
An alternative method is proposed for deriving the time dependent Schroedinger equation from the pictures of wave and matrix mechanics. The derivation is of a mixed classical quantum character, since time is treated as a classical variable, thus avoiding any controversy over its meaning in quantum mechanics. The derivation method proposed in this paper requires no ad hoc assumption and avoids going through a second-order differential equation that can be reduced to the well known time-dependent Schroedinger equation only postulating a complex wavefunction with an exponential time dependence, a…
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 prove that the empirical distribution of crossings of a "detector'' surface by scattered particles converges in appropriate limits to the scattering cross section computed by stationary scattering theory. Our result, which is based on Bohmian mechanics and the flux-across-surfaces theorem, is the first derivation of the cross section starting from first microscopic principles.
A famous pre-Newtonian formula for $π$ is obtained directly from the variational approach to the spectrum of the hydrogen atom in spaces of arbitrary dimensions greater than one, including the physical three dimensions.
Conventional quantum mechanics with a complex Hilbert space and the Born Rule is derived from five axioms describing properties of probability distributions for the outcome of measurements. Axioms I,II,III are common to quantum mechanics and hidden variable theories. Axiom IV recognizes a phenomenon, first noted by Turing and von Neumann, in which the increase in entropy resulting from a measurement is reduced by a suitable intermediate measurement. This is shown to be impossible for local hidden variable theories. Axiom IV, together with the first three, almost suffice to deduce the conventio…
A possible quantum-mechanical origin of statistical mechanics is discussed, and microcanonical and canonical ensembles of bosons and fermions are derived from the stationary Schrödinger equation in a unified manner. The interaction Hamiltonians are constructed by the use of the discrete phase operators and the gauge-theoretical structure associated with them. It is shown how the interaction Hamiltonians stipulated by the gauge symmetry generate the specific patterns of entanglement that are desired for establishing microcanonical ensembles. A discussion is also made about the interrelation bet…
Based on quantum statistical mechanics and microscopic quantum dynamics, we prove Planck's and Kelvin's principles for macroscopic systems in a general and realistic setting. We consider a hybrid quantum system that consists of the thermodynamic system, which is initially in thermal equilibrium, and the "apparatus" which operates on the former, and assume that the whole system evolves autonomously. This provides a satisfactory derivation of the second law for macroscopic systems. Although the main body of the article is self-contained there are two supplemental notes on closely related topics,…
A rigorous \textit{ab initio} derivation of the (square of) Dirac's equation for a single particle with spin is presented. The general Hamilton-Jacobi equation for the particle expressed in terms of a background Weyl's conformal geometry is found to be linearized, exactly and in closed form, by an \textit{ansatz} solution that can be straightforwardly interpreted as the "quantum wave function" $ψ_4$ of the 4-spinor Dirac's equation. In particular, all quantum features of the model arise from a subtle interplay between the conformal curvature of the configuration space acting as a potential and…
We obtain the Crooks and the Jarzynski non-equilibrium fluctuation relations using a direct quantum-mechanical approach for a finite system that is either isolated or coupled not too strongly to a heat bath. These results were hitherto derived mostly in the classical limit. The two main ingredients in the picture are the time-reversal symmetry and the application of the first law to the case where an agent performs work on the system. No further assumptions regarding stochastic or Markovian behavior are necessary, neither a master equation or a classical phase-space picture are required. The s…
We show that QM can be represented as a natural projection of a classical statistical model on the phase space $Ω= H\times H,$ where $H$ is the real Hilbert space. Statistical states are given by Gaussian measures on $Ω$ having zero mean value and dispersion of very small magnitude $α$ (which is considered as a small parameter of the model). Such statistical states can be interpreted as fluctuations of the background field, cf. with SED and Nelson's mechanics. Physical variables (e.g., energy) are given by maps $f: Ω\to {\bf R}$ (functions of classical fields). The conventional quantum represe…
In this article, the following results are obtained: the process of a randomly wandering particle having a size and a continuous trajectory of motion is considered; (b) based on the study of this probabilistic process, a derivation of the Schrodinger equation is proposed; the Planck constant h is expressed in terms of the characteristics of the stationary stochastic process under consideration; the probability distribution density of the n-order derivative for a n-times differentiable stationary stochastic process is determined; it is shown that the obtained generalized Schrodinger equation is…
In a previous article [H. Bergeron, J. Math. Phys. 42, 3983 (2001)], we presented a method to obtain a continuous transition from classical to quantum mechanics starting from the usual phase space formulation of classical mechanics. This procedure was based on a Koopman-von Neumann approach where classical equations are reformulated into a quantumlike form. In this article, we develop a different derivation of quantum equations, based on purely classical stochastic arguments, taking some elements from the Bohm-Fenyes-Nelson approach. This study starts from a remark noticed by different authors…
The Born rule is derived from operational assumptions, independent of the normalization of the state. Unlike Gleason's theorem, the argument applies even if probabilities are defined for only a single resolution of the identity, so it applies to all the major foundational approaches to quantum mechanics. There are important points of contact with Deutsch's program for deducing the probabilistic interpretation of quantum mechanics from decision thoery, as recently completed by Wallace. Decision theory can be used to supplement the present derivation, in application to the Everett interpretation…
We present a derivation of Born's rule and unitary transforms in Quantum Mechanics, from a simple set of axioms built upon a physical phenomenology of quantization. Combined to Gleason's theorem, this approach naturally leads to the usual quantum formalism, within a new conceptual framework that is discussed heuristically in details. The structure of Quantum Mechanics, from its probabilistic nature to its mathematical expression, appears as a result of the interplay between the quantized number of "modalities" accessible to a quantum system, and the continuum of "contexts" that are required to…
The interpretation of quantum mechanics due to Lande' is applied to the connection between wave mechanics and matrix mechanics. The connection between the differential eigenvalue equation and the matrix eigenvalue equation for an operator is elucidated. In particular, we show that the elements of a matrix vector state are probability amplitudes with a structure rather than being mere constants. We obtain the most general expressions for the probability amplitudes for the description of spin-1/2 measurements. As a result, we derive spin-1/2 operators and vectors from first principles. The proce…
We continue in this paper our program of rederiving all quantum mechanical formalism from the classical one. We now turn our attention to the derivation of the second quantized equations, both for integral and half-integral spins. We then show that all the quantum results may be derived using our approach and also show the interpretation suggested by this derivation. This paper may be considered as a first approach to the study of the quantum field theory beginning by the same classical ideas we are supporting since the first paper of this series.
In the mid-19th century, both the laws of mechanics and thermodynamics were known, and both appeared fundamental. This was changed by Boltzmann and Gibbs, who showed that thermodynamics can be *derived*, by applying mechanics to very large systems, and making simple statistical assumptions about their behavior. Similarly, when Quantum Mechanics (QM) was first discovered, it appeared to require two sets of postulates: one about the deterministic evolution of wavefunctions, and another about the probabilistic measurement process. Here again, the latter is derivable from the former: by applying u…
Excluding the concept of probability in quantum mechanics, we derive Born's law from the remaining postulates in quantum mechanics using type method. We also give a way of determining the unknown parameter in a state vector based on an indirect measurement model. While Deutsch adopt a concept of rational decision-maker who introduces probability, we adopt a concept of statistician in our measurement model and clarifies the distinguished feature of quantum measurement. Like many worlds interpretation, our scenario gives a simple solution for problem of measurement.
A novel and readily understandable derivation of the Golden Rule of time dependent perturbation theory is presented. The derivation is based on adiabatic turning on of the perturbation as used, for instance, in some formal developments of scattering theory. Energy conservation is expressed in terms of an intuitively and physically appealing Lorentzian line shape rather than the artificial, oscillatory sin(x)=x type line shape that appears in conventional derivations. The conditions for the derivation's validity are compactly and conveniently expressed in the frequency/energy domain rather than…
The symmetries of the wavefunction for identical particles, including anyons, are given a rigorous non-relativistic derivation within pilot-wave formulations of quantum mechanics. In particular, parastatistics are excluded. The result has a rigorous generalisation to n particles and to spinorial wavefunctions. The relation to other non-relativistic approaches is briefly discussed.
The possibility of consistency between the basic quantum principles and reduction (wave function reduction) is reexamined. The mathematical description of an organized macroscopic device is constructed explicitly as a convenient tool for this investigation. A derivation of reduction from quantum mechanics is proposed on a specific example, using standard methods of statistical physics. Although these methods are valid only "for all practical purposes", arguments are given to ascribe an emerging status to reduction (or the uniqueness of physical reality), similar to the status of classical phys…
We introduce a class of non-local Lagrangians which allow for the variational derivation of non-local conser- vation laws in a self-consistent manner. The formalism developed here generalizes previous approaches, used in the context of $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetric quantum mechanics and optics in the paraxial approximation in a twofold way: firstly it is valid for a larger set of linear symmetry transforms and secondly it enables the derivation of additional non-local conservation laws for general higher dimensional wave mechanical systems.
We present a unified derivation of Bohmian methods that serves as a common starting point for the derivative propagation method (DPM), Bohmian mechanics with complex action (BOMCA) and the zero-velocity complex action method (ZEVCA). The unified derivation begins with the ansatz $ψ=e^{\frac{iS}{\hbar}}$ where the action, $S$, is taken to be complex and the quantum force is obtained by writing a hierarchy of equations of motion for the phase partial derivatives. We demonstrate how different choices of the trajectory velocity field yield different formulations such as DPM, BOMCA and ZEVCA. The n…
Recently there has been much interest in deriving the quantum formalism and the set of quantum correlations from simple axioms. In this paper, we provide a step-by-step derivation of the quantum formalism that tackles both these problems and helps us to understand why this formalism is as it is. We begin with a structureless system that only includes real-valued observables, states and a (not specified) state update, and we gradually identify theory-independent conditions that make the algebraic structure of quantum mechanics be assimilated by it. In the first part of the paper, we derive esse…
The derivation of the Born rule by Zurek uses a "splitting procedure" where a physical state is subdivided into a number of states. It is argued that in quantum field theory, which encompasses quantum mechanics, such a procedure would in general modify the physics.
Quantum mechanical tunneling across smooth double barrier potentials modeled using Gaussian functions, is analyzed numerically and by using the WKB approximation. The transmission probability, resonances as a function of incident particle energy, and their dependence on the barrier parameters are obtained for various cases. We also discuss the tunneling time, for which we obtain generalizations of the known results for rectangular barriers.
This paper deals with the foundations of quantum mechanics. We start by outlining the characterisation, due to Birkhoff and Von Neumann, of the logical structures of the theories of classical physics and quantum mechanics, as boolean and modular lattices respectively. We then derive these descriptions from what we claim are basic properties of any physical theory - i.e. the notion that a quantity in such a theory may be analysed into parts and that the results of this analysis may be treated in languages with an underlying boolean structure. We shall see that in the course of constructing a mo…
Fisher information measures a disorder system, which is specified by a corresponding probability, the likelihood. In this article, we provide a bridge to connect classical and quantum mechanics by using Fisher information. Following the principle of minimum Fisher information, we can derive the time-dependent Schrödinger equation step by step.
The role of superselection rules for the derivation of classical probability within quantum mechanics is investigated and examples of superselection rules induced by the environment are discussed.
Given are a first principles derivation and formulation of the probabilistic concepts that underly equilibrium quantum statistical mechanics. The transition to non-equilibrium probability is traversed briefly.
The predictions of quantum mechanics are probabilistic. Quantum probabilities are extracted using a postulate of the theory called the Born rule, the status of which is central to the "measurement problem" of quantum mechanics. Efforts to justify the Born rule from other physical principles, and thus elucidate the measurement process, have involved lengthy statistical or information-theoretic arguments. Here we show that Bohm's deterministic formulation of quantum mechanics allows the Born rule for measurements on a single system to be derived, without any statistical assumptions. We solve a s…
The Eherenfest theorem states that Schrodinger representation of quantum mechanics (wave mechanics) reproduces Newton laws of motion in terms of expectation values. Remarkably, the contrary is considered elusive and, indeed, many authors have tried to obtain wave mechanics starting from other alternative frameworks of classical mechanics (for instance, Hamilton-Jacobi theory). Despite this common opinion, we present here a simple method to make Newtonian dynamics develop naturally into Schrodinger representation. The proof is based on the assumption of matter waves and is laid out in three fun…
We present a concise derivation of Landauer's erasure principle from the postulates of statistical mechanics, along with a small number of additional but uncontroversial axioms.
We present a path-integral formulation of 't Hooft's derivation of quantum from classical physics. The crucial ingredient of this formulation is Gozzi et al.'s supersymmetric path integral of classical mechanics. We quantize explicitly two simple classical systems: the planar mathematical pendulum and the Roessler dynamical system.
Recent results obtained in quantum measurements indicate that the fundamental relations between three physical properties of a system can be represented by complex conditional probabilities. Here, it is shown that these relations provide a fully deterministic and universally valid framework on which all of quantum mechanics can be based. Specifically, quantum mechanics can be derived by combining the rules of Bayesian probability theory with only a single additional law that explains the phases of complex probabilities. This law, which I introduce here as the law of quantum ergodicity, is base…
We extend the standard solid-state quantum mechanical Hamiltonian containing only Coulomb interactions between the charged particles by inclusion of $1/c^2$ terms representing (transverse) current-current interaction. For its derivation we use the classical formulation of Landau-Lifshitz, however consequently in the Coulomb gauge. Our Hamiltonian does not coincide with the Darwin Hamiltonian and we emphasize the mathematical inconsistency in its derivation. We show, that the quantized version of our Hamiltonian is equivalent to the non-relativistic QED considering only states without photons a…
A derivation of the Bohm model, and some general comments about it, are given. A modification of the model which is formally local and Lorentz-invariant is introduced, and its properties studied for a simple experiment.
The Schroedinger- and Klein-Gordon equations are directly derived from classical Lagrangians. The only inputs are given by the discreteness of energy (E=hbar.w) and momentum (p=hbar.k), respectively, as well as the assumed existence of a space-pervading field of "zero-point energy" (E_0=hbar.w/2 per spatial dimension) associated to each particle of energy E. The latter leads to an additional kinetic energy term in the classical Lagrangian, which alone suffices to pass from classical to quantum mechanics. Moreover, Heisenberg's uncertainty relations are also derived within this framework, i.e.,…
The derivation of macroscopic irreversible dynamics of nonequilibrium systems from microscopic equations was recently revisited from the point of view of infinitely extended quantum systems. Here we have briefly reviewed the $C^*$ algebra and its application to equilibrium systems as well as introduced some recent results on NESS. In addition, we have demonstrated the derivation of Landauer formula rigorously for quadratic systems but using a more physical presentation.
A quantum mechanical path integral derivation is given of a thermal propagator in non-static Gui spacetime. The thermal nature of the propagator is understood in terms of homotopically non-trivial paths in the configuration space appropriate to tortoise coordinates. The connection to thermal emission from collapsing black holes is discussed.
The space-time foam formulas, quoted below in Eqs (1) and (3), express the minimal amount of quantum uncertainty to be introduced into the structure of the Einsteinian space-time in order to make that structure compatible with quantum mechanics. In addition to their theoretical significance, the formulas lead to far reaching observable consequences shortly recalled below in the last section. The main purpose of the present note is the examination of the reliability and the comparison of various derivations of the said formulas.
John Bell showed that a big class of local hidden-variable models stands in conflict with quantum mechanics and experiment. Recently, there were suggestions that empirical adequate hidden-variable models might exist, which presuppose a weaker notion of local causality. We will show that a Bell-type inequality can be derived also from these weaker assumptions.
The nondistributivity of compound quantum mechanical propositions leads to a theorem that rules out the possibility of microscopic deterministic hidden variables, the Logical No-Go Theorem. We observe that there appear in fact two distinct nondistributivity relations in the derivation: one with a semantics governed by an empirical conjunctive syntax, the other composed of conjunctive primitives in the quantum mechanical probability calculus. We venture to speculate how the two come to be confused in the derivation of the theorem.
In this paper a thermodynamical derivation of the quantum potential is pro- posed. Within the framework of Bohmian mechanics we show how the quantum potential can be derived, by adding an additional informational degree of freedom to the ordinary degrees of freedom of a physical system. Such a derivation uses the First Law of thermodynamics for this additional degree of freedom and basic equilibrium thermodynamics methods. By doing that, one may associate a temper- ature to each wave function. Features and behavior of this temperature in different situations is studied.
