For the example of the infinitely deep well potential, we point out some paradoxes which are solved by a careful analysis of what is a truly self-adjoint operator. We then describe the self-adjoint extensions and their spectra for the momentum and the Hamiltonian operators in different physical situations. Some consequences are worked out, which could lead to experimental checks.
We discuss the deformation quantization approach for the teaching of quantum mechanics. This approach has certain conceptual advantages which make its consideration worthwhile. In particular, it sheds new light on the relation between classical and quantum mechanics. We demionstrate how it can be used to solve specific problems and clarify its relation to conventional quantization and path integral techniques. We also discuss its recent applications in relativistic quantum field theory.
A strategy is suggested for teaching mathematically literate students, with no background in physics, just enough quantum mechanics for them to understand and develop algorithms in quantum computation and quantum information theory. Although the article as a whole addresses teachers of physics, well versed in quantum mechanics, the central pedagogical development is addressed directly to computer scientists and mathematicians, with only occasional asides to their teacher. Physicists uninterested in quantum pedagogy may be amused (or irritated) by some of the views of standard quantum mechanics…
In this small scale study we demonstrate how a gamified teaching setup can be used effectively to support student learning in a quantum mechanics course. The quantum mechanics games were research games, which were played during lectures and the learning was measured with a pretest/posttest method with promising results. The study works as a pilot study to guide the planning of quantum mechanics courses in the future at Aarhus University in Denmark.
In this article, we review the general quantum mechanical setting associated to a non self-adjoint Hamiltonian with real spectrum. Spectral properties of the Hamiltonian of a simple model of the Swanson type are investigated. The eigenfunctions associated to the real simple eigenvalues are shown to form complete systems but not a (Riesz) basis, which gives rise to difficulties in the rigorous mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics. A new inner product, which is appropriate for the physical interpretation of the model, has been consistently introduced. The dynamics of the system is descr…
The impossibility of experiencing the molecular world with our senses hampers teaching and understanding chemistry because very abstract concepts (such as atoms, chemical bonds, molecular structure, reactivity) are required for this process. Virtual reality, especially when based on explicit physical modeling (potentially in real time), offers a solution to this dilemma. Chemistry teaching can make use of advanced technologies such as virtual-reality frameworks and haptic devices. We show how an immersive learning setting could be applied to help students understand the core concepts of typica…
We are focused on the idea that observables in quantum physics are a bit more than just hermitian operators and that this is, in general, a "tricky business". The origin of this idea comes from the fact that there is a subtle difference between symmetric, hermitian, and self-adjoint operators which are of immense importance in formulating Quantum Mechanics. The theory of self-adjoint extensions is presented through several physical examples and some emphasis is given on the physical implications and applications.
We consider the descendants of self-adjointly extended Hamiltonians in supersymmetric quantum mechanics on a half-line, on an interval, and on a punctured line or interval. While there is a 4-parameter family of self-adjointly extended Hamiltonians on a punctured line, only a 3-parameter sub-family has supersymmetric descendants that are themselves self-adjoint. We also address the self-adjointness of an operator related to the supercharge, and point out that only a sub-class of its most general self-adjoint extensions is physical. Besides a general characterization of self-adjoint extensions …
The approximations of classical mechanics resulting from quantum mechanics are richer than a correspondence of classical dynamical variables with self-adjoint Hilbert space operators. Assertion that classical dynamic variables correspond to self-adjoint Hilbert space operators is disputable and sets unnatural limits on quantum mechanics. Well known examples of classical dynamical variables not associated with self-adjoint Hilbert space operators are discussed as a motivation for the realizations of quantum field theory that lack Hermitian field operators but exhibit interaction.
Observables in quantum mechanics are represented by self-adjoint operators on Hilbert space. Such ubiquitous, well-known, and very foundational fact, however, is traditionally subtle to be explained in typical first classes in quantum mechanics, as well as to senior physicists who have grown up with the lesson that self-adjointness is "just technical". The usual difficulties are to clarify the connection between the demand for certain physical features in the theory and the corresponding mathematical requirement of self-adjointness, and to distinguish between self-adjoint and hermitian operato…
We consider the self-adjoint extensions (SAE) of the symmetric supercharges and Hamiltonian for a model of SUSY Quantum Mechanics in $\mathbb{R}^+$ with a singular superpotential. We show that only for two particular SAE, whose domains are scale invariant, the algebra of N=2 SUSY is realized, one with manifest SUSY and the other with spontaneously broken SUSY. Otherwise, only the N=1 SUSY algebra is obtained, with spontaneously broken SUSY and non degenerate energy spectrum.
For a class of singular potentials, including the Coulomb potential (in three and less dimensions) and $V(x) = g/x^2$ with the coefficient $g$ in a certain range ($x$ being a space coordinate in one or more dimensions), the corresponding Schrödinger operator is not automatically self-adjoint on its natural domain. Such operators admit more than one self-adjoint domain, and the spectrum and all physical consequences depend seriously on the self-adjoint version chosen. The article discusses how the self-adjoint domains can be identified in terms of a boundary condition for the asymptotic behavio…
In this paper, we present a mathematically rigorous quantum-mechanical treatment of a one-dimensional motion of a particle in the Calogero potential $αx^{-2}$. Although the problem is quite old and well-studied, we believe that our consideration, based on a uniform approach to constructing a correct quantum-mechanical description for systems with singular potentials and/or boundaries, proposed in our previous works, adds some new points to its solution. To demonstrate that a consideration of the Calogero problem requires mathematical accuracy, we discuss some "paradoxes" inherent in the "naive…
Just as expert physicists vary in their personal stances on interpretation in quantum mechanics, instructors vary on whether and how to teach interpretations of quantum phenomena in introductory modern physics courses. In this paper, we document variations in instructional approaches with respect to interpretation in two similar modern physics courses recently taught at the University of Colorado, and examine associated impacts on student perspectives regarding quantum physics. We find students are more likely to prefer realist interpretations of quantum-mechanical systems when instructors are…
In the recent years a generalization $H=p^2 +x^2(ix)^ε$ of the harmonic oscillator using a complex deformation was investigated, where ε is a real parameter. Here, we will consider the most simple case: εeven and x real. We will give a complete characterization of three different classes of operators associated with the differential expression H: The class of all self-adjoint (Hermitian) operators, the class of all PT symmetric operators and the class of all P-self-adjoint operators. Surprisingly, some of the PT symmetric operators associated to this expression have no resolvent set.
Considerable attention has been recently focused on quantum-mechanical systems with boundaries and/or singular potentials for which the construction of physical observables as self-adjoint (s.a.) operators is a nontrivial problem. We present a comparative review of various methods of specifying ordinary s.a. differential operators generated by formally s.a. differential expressions based on the general theory of s.a. extensions of symmetric operators. The exposition is untraditional and is based on the concept of asymmetry forms generated by adjoint operators. The main attention is given to a …
In [J. Math. Phys. 51 (2010) 022104] a self-adjoint operator was introduced that has the property that it indicates the direction of time within the framework of standard quantum mechanics, in the sense that as a function of time its expectation value decreases monotonically for any initial state. In this paper we study some of this operator's properties. In particular, we derive its spectrum and generalized eigenstates, and treat the example of the free particle.
There are self-adjoint operators which determine both spectral and semispectral measures. These measures have very different commutativity and covariance properties. This fact poses a serious question on the physical meaning of such a self-adjoint operator and its associated operator measures.
We provide a systematic study on the possibility of supersymmetry (SUSY) for one dimensional quantum mechanical systems consisting of a pair of lines $\R$ or intervals [-l, l] each having a point singularity. We consider the most general singularities and walls (boundaries) at $x = \pm l$ admitted quantum mechanically, using a U(2) family of parameters to specify one singularity and similarly a U(1) family of parameters to specify one wall. With these parameter freedoms, we find that for a certain subfamily the line systems acquire an N = 1 SUSY which can be enhanced to N = 4 if the parameters…
We consider deformations of unbounded operators by using the novel construction tool of warped convolutions. By using the Kato-Rellich theorem we show that unbounded self-adjoint deformed operators are self-adjoint if they satisfy a certain condition. This condition proves itself to be necessary for the oscillatory integral to be well-defined. Moreover, different proofs are given for self-adjointness of deformed unbounded operators in the context of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory.
We discuss the quantum mechanics of a particle restricted to the half-line $x > 0$ with potential energy $V = α/x^2$ for $-1/4 < α< 0$. It is known that two scale-invariant theories may be defined. By regularizing the near-origin behavior of the potential by a finite square well with variable width $b$ and depth $g$, it is shown how these two scale-invariant theories occupy fixed points in the resulting $(b,g)$-space of Hamiltonians. A renormalization group flow exists in this space and scaling variables are shown to exist in a neighborhood of the fixed points. Consequently, the propagator of …
The traditional pedagogical paradigm in physics is based on a deductive approach. However, with the recent advances in information technology, we are facing a dramatic increase in the amount of readily available information; hence, the ability to memorize the material and provide rigorous derivations lacks significance. Our success in navigating the current "sea" of information depends increasingly on our skills in pattern recognition and prompt qualitative analysis. Inductive learning (using examples and intuition-based) is most suitable for the development of such skills. This needed change …
This paper is devoted to the construction of what we will call {\em exactly solvable models}, i.e. of quantum mechanical systems described by an Hamiltonian $H$ whose eigenvalues and eigenvectors can be explicitly constructed out of some {\em minimal ingredients}. In particular, motivated by PT-quantum mechanics, we will not insist on any self-adjointness feature of the Hamiltonians considered in our construction. We also introduce the so-called bicoherent states, we analyze some of their properties and we show how they can be used for quantizing a system. Some examples, both in finite and in …
In non relativistic quantum mechanics time enters as a parameter in the Schroedinger equation. However, there are various situations where the need arises to view time as a dynamical variable. In this paper we consider the dynamical role of time through the construction of a Lyapunov variable - i.e., a self-adjoint quantum observable whose expectation value varies monotonically as time increases. It is shown, in a constructive way, that a certain class of models admit a Lyapunov variable and that the existence of a Lyapunov variable implies the existence of a transformation mapping the origina…
In the article arXiv:0903.5277 [quant-ph], we have presented a mathematically rigorous quantum-mechanical treatment of a one-dimensional motion of a particle in the Calogero potential $V(x)=αx^{-2}$. In such a way, we have described all possible s.a. operators (s.a. Hamiltonians) associated with the formal differential expression $\check{H}=-d_{x}^{2}+αx^{-2}$ for the Calogero Hamiltonian. Here, we discuss a new aspect of the problem, the so-called oscillator representation for the Calogero Hamiltonians. As it is know, operators of the form $\hat{N}=\hat{a}^{+}\hat{a}$ and $\hat{A}=\hat{a}\hat…
We present a simple, accessible, yet rigorous outreach/educational program focused on quantum information science and technology for high-school and early undergraduate students. This program allows students to perform meaningful hands-on calculations with quantum circuits and algorithms, without requiring knowledge of advanced mathematics. A combination of pen-and-paper exercises and IBM Q simulations helps students understand the structure of quantum gates and circuits, as well as the principles of superposition, entanglement, and measurement in quantum mechanics.
In recent works we have used quantum tools in the analysis of the time evolution of several macroscopic systems. The main ingredient in our approach is the self-adjoint Hamiltonian $H$ of the system $\Sc$. This Hamiltonian quite often, and in particular for systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom, gives rise to reversible and oscillatory dynamics. Sometimes this is not what physical reasons suggest. We discuss here how to use non self-adjoint Hamiltonians to overcome this difficulty: the time evolution we obtain out of them show a preferable arrow of time, and it is not reversible. …
An analogue of Kolmogorov's superconvergent perturbation theory in classical mechanics is constructed for self adjoint operators. It is different from the usual Rayleigh--Schrödinger perturbation theory and yields expansions for eigenvalues and eigenvectors in terms of functions of the perturbation parameter.
Convenient and simple numerical techniques for performing quantum computations based on matrix representations of Hilbert space operators are presented and illustrated by various examples. The applications include the calculations of spectral and dynamical properties for one-dimensional and two-dimensional single-particle systems as well as bosonic many-particle and open quantum systems. Due to their technical simplicity these methods are well suited as a tool for teaching quantum mechanics to undergraduates and graduates. Explicit implementations of the presented numerical methods in Matlab a…
This is a series of 5 lectures around the common subject of the construction of self-adjoint extensions of symmetric operators and its applications to Quantum Physics. We will try to offer a brief account of some recent ideas in the theory of self-adjoint extensions of symmetric operators on Hilbert spaces and their applications to a few specific problems in Quantum Mechanics.
In a pre-selected Hilbert space of quantum states the unitarity of the evolution is usually guaranteed via a pre-selection of the generator (i.e., of the Hamiltonian operator) in self-adjoint form. In fact, the simultaneous use of both of these pre-selections is overrestrictive. One should be allowed to make a given Hamiltonian self-adjoint only after an {\em ad hoc} generalization of Hermitian conjugation. We argue that in the generalized, hidden-Hermiticity scenario with nontrivial metric, the current concept of solvability (meaning, most often, the feasibility of a non-numerical diagonaliza…
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…
A contemporary physicist would be hard put to agree entirely with the author of a 1959 textbook on quantum mechanics, who wrote: "A second simple, one-dimensional system, somewhat divorced from reality but illustrative of the principles of the theory, is a particle in a box with finite walls." Interest in this prototypic system has not diminished over the years, and is not likely to do so in the near future, because it has now been wedded to reality and seen as a paradigm for quantum wells and other nanosystems. The treatment of this topic in standard textbooks has changed little over the last…
A self-adjoint operator with dimensions of time is explicitly constructed, and it is shown that its complete and orthonormal set of eigenstates can be used to define consistently a probability distribution of the time of arrival at a spatial point.
We propose a unique way how to choose a new inner product in a Hilbert space with respect to which an originally non-self-adjoint operator similar to a self-adjoint operator becomes self-adjoint. Our construction is based on minimising a 'Hilbert-Schmidt distance' to the original inner product among the entire class of admissible inner products. We prove that either the minimiser exists and is unique, or it does not exist at all. In the former case we derive a system of Euler-Lagrange equations by which the optimal inner product is determined. A sufficient condition for the existence of the un…
Gamow solutions are used to transform self-adjoint energy operators by means of factorization (supersymmetric) techniques. The transformed non-hermitian operators admit a discrete real spectrum which is occasionally extended by a single complex eigenvalue associated to normalized eigensolutions. These new Hamiltonians are not pseudo-hermitian operators and also differ from those obtained by means of complex-scaling transformations. As an example, Coulomb-like potentials are studied.
Very little is known about how the nature of expertise in introductory and advanced courses compares in knowledge-rich domains such as physics. We develop a framework to compare the similarities and differences between learning and patterns of student difficulties in introductory physics and quantum mechanics. Based upon our framework, we argue that the qualitative patterns of student reasoning difficulties in introductory physics bear a striking resemblance to those found for upper-level quantum mechanics. The framework can guide the design of teaching and learning tools.
In some recent literature the role of non self-adjoint Hamiltonians, $H\neq H^\dagger$, is often considered in connection with gain-loss systems. The dynamics for these systems is, most of the times, given in terms of a Schrödinger equation. In this paper we rather focus on the Heisenberg-like picture of quantum mechanics, stressing the (few) similarities and the (many) differences with respected to the standard Heisenberg picture for systems driven by self-adjoint Hamiltonians. In particular, the role of the symmetries, *-derivations and integrals of motion is discussed.
We discuss an alternative version of non- relativistic Newtonian mechanics in terms of a real Hilbert space mathematical framework. It is demonstrated that the physics of this scheme correspondent with the standard formulation. Heisenberg-Schrodinger non-relativistic quantum mechanics is considered adequate and complete. Since the suggested theory is dispersion free, linear superposition principle is not violated but cannot affect results of measurements due to spectral decomposition theorem for self-adjoint operators (the collapse of wave function).
Many of the conceptual problems students have in understanding quantum mechanics arise from the way probabilities are introduced in standard (textbook) quantum theory through the use of measurements. Introducing consistent microscopic probabilities in quantum theory requires setting up appropriate sample spaces taking proper account of quantum incompatibility. When this is done the Schrodinger equation can be used to calculate probabilities independent of whether a system is or is not being measured, and the results usually ascribed to wave function collapse are obtained in a less misleading w…
We show that allowing magnetic fields to be complex-valued leads to an improvement in the magnetic Hardy-type inequality due to Laptev and Weidl. The proof is based on the study of momenta on the circle with complex magnetic fields, which is of independent interest in the context of PT-symmetric and quasi-Hermitian quantum mechanics. We study basis properties of the non-self-adjoint momenta and derive closed formulae for the similarity transforms relating them to self-adjoint operators.
We re-consider the quantum mechanics of scale invariant potentials in two dimensions. The breaking of scale invariance by quantum effects is analyzed by the explicit evaluation of the phase shift and the self-adjoint extension method. We argue that the breaking of scale invariance reported in the literature for the $δ$(r) potential, is an example of explicit and not an anomaly or quantum mechanical symmetry breaking.
The first prototypes of quantum computers sparked interest in quantum computing and the basic principles of quantum mechanics. The education project on the physical bases of quantum computing is part of this context, based on the experimental description with virtual methods of the physical implementation of Di Vincenzo's first 5 principles. The computation process is implemented as transformations of qubits encoded in the polarization of optical photons. These transformations are implemented as quantum gates made as 3D virtual objects using Blender. In detail, the models of: Laser Ar +, PBS, …
We consider the hamiltonian operator associated with planar sec- tions of infinitely long cylindrical solenoids and with a homogeneous magnetic field in their interior. First, in the Sobolev space $\mathcal H^2$, we characterize all generalized boundary conditions on the solenoid bor- der compatible with quantum mechanics, i.e., the boundary conditions so that the corresponding hamiltonian operators are self-adjoint. Then we study and compare the scattering of the most usual boundary con- ditions, that is, Dirichlet, Neumann and Robin.
We consider the quantum-mechanical problem of a relativistic Dirac particle moving in the Coulomb field of a point charge $Ze$. In the literature, it is often declared that a quantum-mechanical description of such a system does not exist for charge values exceeding the so-called critical charge with $% Z=α^{-1}=137$ based on the fact that the standard expression for the lower bound state energy yields complex values at overcritical charges. We show that from the mathematical standpoint, there is no problem in defining a self-adjoint Hamiltonian for any value of charge. What is more, the transi…
W. Pauli pointed out that the existence of a self-adjoint time operator is incompatible with the semibounded character of the Hamiltonian spectrum. As a result, people have been arguing a lot about the time-energy uncertainty relation and other related issues. In this article, we show in details that Pauli's definition of time operator is erroneous in several respects.
It has always been believed that no self-adjoint and canonical time of arrival operator can be constructed within the confines of standard quantum mechanics. In this Letter we demonstrate the otherwise. We do so by pointing out that there is no a priori reason in demanding that canonical pairs form a system of imprimitivities. We then proceed to show that a class of self-adjoint and canonical time of arrival (TOA) operators can be constructed for a spatially confined free particle. And then discuss the relatiobship between the non-self-adjointess of the TOA operator for the unconfined particle…
A C*-algebra formulation of Quantum Mechanics is derived from purely operational axioms in which the primary role is played by the "transformations" that the system undergoes in the course of an "experiment". The notion of the {\em adjoint} of a transformation is based on the postulated existence of "faithful states" that allows one to calibrate the experimental apparatus.
Motivated by what one observes dealing with PT-symmetric quantum mechanics, we discuss what happens if a physical system is driven by a diagonalizable Hamiltonian with not all real eigenvalues. In particular, we consider the functional structure related to systems living in finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces, and we show that certain intertwining relations can be deduced also in this case if we introduce suitable antilinear operators. We also analyze a simple model, computing the transition probabilities in the broken and in the unbroken regime.
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.
In this work, we review two methods used to approach singular Hamiltonians in (2+1) dimensions. Both methods are based on the self-adjoint extension approach. It is very common to find singular Hamiltonians in quantum mechanics, especially in quantum systems in the presence of topological defects, which are usually modelled by point interactions. In general, it is possible to apply some kind of regularization procedure, as the vanishing of the wave function at the location of the singularity, ensuring that the wave function is square-integrable and then can be associated with a physical state.…
In this paper we continue our analysis of intertwining relations for both self-adjoint and not self-adjoint operators. In particular, in this last situation, we discuss the connection with pseudo-hermitian quantum mechanics and the role of Riesz bases.
John von Neumann's spectral theorem for self-adjoint operators is a cornerstone of quantum mechanics. Among other things, it also provides a connection between expectation values of self-adjoint operators and expected values of real-valued random variables. This paper presents a plain-spoken formulation of this theorem in terms of Dirac's bra and ket notation, which is based on physical intuition and provides techniques that are important for performing actual calculations. The goal is to engage students in a constructive discussion about similarities and differences in the use of random varia…
The laws of quantum mechanics are couched in subtle mathematical language. The laws are not usually stated in a compact pedagogical form. Here I present a possible way to correct this. Essential facts can be distilled into seven statements that are easy to remember and easily referred back. Also, the current teaching of quantum mechanics is laden with words of negative connotations, originating as they did during the early decades of the subject when the subject was intellectually still puzzling. A wide variety of experiments in the intervening decades, not least those that were awarded the No…