A number of phenomena generally believed characteristic of quantum mechanics and seen as interpretively problematic--the incompatibility and value-indeterminacy of variables, the non-existence of dispersion-free states, the failure of the standard marginal-probability formula, the failure of the distributive law of disjunction and interference--are exemplified in an emphatically non-quantal system: a deck of playing cards. Thus the appearance, in quantum mechanics, of incompatibility and these associated phenomena requires neither explanation nor interpretation.
Analysis of state reconstruction both classical and quantum mechanical on equal footing is outlined. The meaning of "mutual unbiased bases" (MUB) of Hilbert spaces is explained in detail. An alternative quantum state reconstruction, that utilizes mutual unbiased bases (MUB), is given. The MUB approach is then used for state reconstruction in a finite, d, dimensional Hilbert spaces.
We investigate dynamics of semi-quantal spin systems in which quantum bits are attached to classically and possibly stochastically moving classical particles. The interaction between the quantum bits takes place when the respective classical particles get close to each other in space. We find that with Heisenberg XX couplings quantum homogenization takes place after a time long enough, regardless of the details of the underlying classical dynamics. This is accompanied by the development of a stationary bipartite entanglement. If the information on the details of the motion of a stochastic clas…
We address the problem of spin dynamics in the presence of a thermal bath, by solving exactly the appropriate quantum master equations with continued-fraction methods. The crossover region between the quantum and classical domains is studied by increasing the spin value S, and the asymptote for the classical absorption spectra is eventually recovered. Along with the recognized relevance of the coupling strength, we show the critical role played by the structure of the system-environment interaction in the emergence of classical phenomenology.
One-dimensional scattering by a target with two internal degrees of freedom is investigated. The damping of resonance peaks and the associated appearance of the fluctuating background in the quantum inelastic scattering amplitudes are found. Examination of the analog classical system reveals a disorderly reaction function, which is then related to the quantum amplitude through a semiclassical argument.
We analytically establish the role of a spectrum of Lyapunov exponents in the evolution of phase-space distributions $ρ(p,q)$. Of particular interest is $λ_2$, an exponent which quantifies the rate at which chaotically evolving distributions acquire structure at increasingly smaller scales and which is generally larger than the maximal Lyapunov exponent $λ$ for trajectories. The approach is trajectory-independent and is therefore applicable to both classical and quantum mechanics. In the latter case we show that the $\hbar\to 0$ limit yields the classical, fully chaotic, result for the quantum…
A general method to study classical scattering in $n$-dimension is developed. Through classical trajectory calculations, the three-body recombination is computed as a function of the collision energy for helium atoms, as an example. Quantum calculations are also performed for the $J^Π$ = $0^{+}$ symmetry of the three-body recombination rate in order to compare with the classical results, yielding good agreement for $E\gtrsim$ 1 K. The classical threshold law is derived and numerically confirmed for the Newtonian three-body recombination rate. Finally, a relationship is found between the quantu…
A mixed quantal-semiquantal theory is presented in which the semiquantal squeezed-state wave packet describes the heavy degrees of freedom. We first derive mean-field equations of motion from the time-dependent variational principle. Then, in order to take into account the interparticle correlation, in particular the 'quantum backreaction' beyond the mean-field approximation, we introduce the stochastic particle description for both the quantal and semiquantal parts. A numerical application on a model of O2 scattering from a Pt surface demonstrates that the proposed scheme gives correct asympt…
Hardy (quant-ph/0101012) conjectures in his Axiom 2 that K=K(N), and that in classical probability K=N, while in quantum mechanics K=N^2. We offer an example in classical probability for which K=NV, V the number of independent complete variables; with N=V this classical example satisfies the purported quantal relation K=N^2.
In this work, we study the fluctuation relation and the second law of thermodynamics within a quantum linear oscillator externally driven over the period of time t = tau. To go beyond the standard approach (the two-point projective measurement one) to this subject and also render it discussed in both quantum and classical domains on the single footing, we recast this standard approach in terms of the Wigner function and its propagator in the phase space (x,p). With the help of the canonical transformation from (x,p) to the angle-action coordinates (ϕ,I), we can then derive a measurement-free (…
The classical and the quantal problem of a particle interacting in one-dimension with an external time-dependent quadratic potential and a constant inverse square potential is studied from the Lie-algebraic point of view. The integrability of this system is established by evaluating the exact invariant closely related to the Lewis and Riesenfeld invariant for the time-dependent harmonic oscillator. We study extensively the special and interesting case of a kicked quadratic potential from which we derive a new integrable, nonlinear, area preserving, two-dimensional map which may, for instance, …
We discover that the energy-integral of time-delay is an adiabatic invariant in quantum scattering theory and corresponds classically to the phase space volume. The integral thus found provides a quantization condition for resonances, explaining a series of results recently found in non-relativistic and relativistic regimes. Further, a connection between statistical quantities like quantal resonance-width and classical friction has been established with a classically deterministic quantity, the stability exponent of an adiabatically perturbed periodic orbit. This relation can be employed to es…
We show that the classical mechanics of an algebraic model are implied by its quantizations. An algebraic model is defined, and the corresponding classical and quantum realizations are given in terms of a spectrum generating algebra. Classical equations of motion are then obtained by constraining the quantal dynamics of an algebraic model to an appropriate coherent state manifold. For the cases where the coherent state manifold is not symplectic, it is shown that there exist natural projections onto classical phase spaces. These results are illustrated with the extended example of an asymmetri…
Theory of the quantal level statistics of classically integrable system, developed by Makino et al. in order to investigate the non-Poissonian behaviors of level-spacing distribution (LSD) and level-number variance (LNV)\cite{MT03,MMT09}, is successfully extended to the study of $E(K,L)$ function which constitutes a fundamental measure to determine most statistical observables of quantal levels in addition to LSD and LNV. In the theory of Makino et al., the eigenenergy level is regarded as a superposition of infinitely many components whose formation is supported by the Berry-Robnik approach i…
One obtains Bell's inequalities if one posits a hypothetical joint probability distribution, or {\it measure}, whose marginals yield the probabilities produced by the spin measurements in question. The existence of a joint measure is in turn equivalent to a certain causality condition known as ``screening off''. We show that if one assumes, more generally, a joint {\it quantal measure}, or ``decoherence functional'', one obtains instead an analogous inequality weaker by a factor of $\sqrt{2}$. The proof of this ``Tsirel'son inequality'' is geometrical and rests on the possibility of associatin…
The semi-quantal dynamics is applied to investigate the influence of quantum fluctuations on problems in classical chaos through intermittency involving bifurcations. The results of the numerical calculations indicate that quantum effects enhance the tendency to chaos in both the problems of inverted pitchfork and saddle-node bifurcations discussed here.
Quantum-classical correspondence in conservative chaotic Hamiltonian systems is examined using a uniform structure measure for quantal and classical phase space distribution functions. The similarities and differences between quantum and classical time-evolving distribution functions are exposed by both analytical and numerical means. The quantum-classical correspondence of low-order statistical moments is also studied. The results shed considerable light on quantum-classical correspondence.
Transitionless quantum driving achieves adiabatic evolution in a hurry, using a counter-diabatic Hamiltonian to stifle non-adiabatic transitions. Here this strategy is cast in terms of a generator of adiabatic transport, leading to a classical analogue: dissipationless classical driving. For the single-particle piston, this approach yields simple and exact expressions for both the classical and quantal counter-diabatic terms. These results are further generalized to even-power-law potentials in one degree of freedom.
Recent findings suggest that processes such as the electronic energy transfer through the photosynthetic antenna display quantal features, aspects known from the dynamics of charge carriers along polymer backbones. Hence, in modeling energy transfer one has to leave the classical, master-equation-type formalism and advance towards an increasingly quantum-mechanical picture, while still retaining a local description of the complex network of molecules involved in the transport, say through a tight-binding approach. Interestingly, the continuous time random walk (CTRW) picture, widely employed i…
In the paper with the above title, D. T. Gillespie [Phys. Rev. A 49, 1607, (1994)] claims that the theory of Markov stochastic processes cannot provide an adequate mathematical framework for quantum mechanics. In conjunction with the specific quantum dynamics considered there, we give a general analysis of the associated dichotomic jump processes. If we assume that Gillespie's "measurement probabilities" \it are \rm the transition probabilities of a stochastic process, then the process must have an invariant (time independent) probability measure. Alternatively, if we demand the probability me…
We compute quantum corrections to the Raychaudhuri equation, by replacing classical geodesics with quantal (Bohmian) trajectories, and show that they prevent focusing of geodesics, and the formation of conjugate points. We discuss implications for the Hawking-Penrose singularity theorems, and for curvature singularities.
Two examples of the situation when the classical observables should be described by a noncommutative probability space are investigated. Possible experimental approach to find quantum-like correlations for classical disordered systems is discussed. The interpretation of noncommutative probability in experiments with classical systems as a result of context (complex of experimental physical conditions) dependence of probability is considered.
We study quantum algorithms working on classical probability distributions. We formulate four different models for accessing a classical probability distribution on a quantum computer, which are derived from previous work on the topic, and study their mutual relationships. Additionally, we prove that quantum query complexity of distinguishing two probability distributions is given by their inverse Hellinger distance, which gives a quadratic improvement over classical query complexity for any pair of distributions. The results are obtained by using the adversary method for state-generating inpu…
Description of system containing classical and quantum subsystems by means of tomographic probability distributions is considered. Evolution equation of the system states is studied.
A unified description of i) classical phase transitions and their remnants in finite systems and ii) quantum phase transitions is presented. The ensuing discussion relies on the interplay between, on the one hand, the thermodynamic concepts of temperature and specific heat and on the other, the quantal ones of coupling strengths in the Hamiltonian. Our considerations are illustrated in an exactly solvable model of Plastino and Moszkowski [Il Nuovo Cimento {\bf 47}, 470 (1978)].
Let $f$ denote length preserving function on words. A classical algorithm can be considered as $T$ iterated applications of black box representing $f$, beginning with input word $x$ of length $n$. It is proved that if $T=O(2^{n/(7+e)}), e >0$, and $f$ is chosen randomly then with probability 1 every quantum computer requires not less than $T$ evaluations of $f$ to obtain the result of classical computation. It means that the set of classical algorithms admitting quantum speeding up has probability measure zero. The second result is that for arbitrary classical time complexity $T$ and $f$ chose…
Quantum backflow is an interference effect in which a matter-wave packet comprised of only plane waves with non-negative momenta exhibits negative probability flux. Here we show that this effect is mathematically equivalent to the appearance of classically-forbidden probability flux when a matter-wave packet, initially confined to a semi-infinite line, expands in free space.
This paper shows how the classical finite probability theory (with equiprobable outcomes) can be reinterpreted and recast as the quantum probability calculus of a pedagogical or "toy" model of quantum mechanics over sets (QM/sets). There have been four previous attempts to develop a quantum-like model with the base field of $\mathbb{C}$ replaced by $\mathbb{Z}_{2}$, but they are all forced into a merely "modal" interpretation by requiring the brackets to take values in $\mathbb{Z}_{2}$ (1 = possible, 0 = impossible). But the usual QM brackets <ψ|ϕ> give the "overlap" between states ψ and ϕ, so…
We consider the arrival time distribution defined through the quantum probability current for a Gaussian wave packet representing free particles in quantum mechanics in order to explore the issue of the classical limit of arrival time. We formulate the classical analogue of the arrival time distribution for an ensemble of free particles represented by a phase space distribution function evolving under the classical Liouville's equation. The classical probability current so constructed matches with the quantum probability current in the limit of minimum uncertainty. Further, it is possible to s…
The purpose of the paper is to study the condition for a probability distribution family to a quantum state family. This is an (relatively) easy example of quantum version of "comparison of statistical experiments", which had turned out to supply deep insight into the foundation of classical and quantum statistics \cite{Strasser}\cite{Torgersen}. It turns out use of maximal quantum $f$-divergence is useful in characterizing the classical-quantum transformability.
We use the fact that some linear Hamiltonian systems can be considered as ``finite level'' quantum systems, and the description of quantum mechanics in terms of probabilities, to associate probability distributions with this particular class of linear Hamiltonian systems.
A formalism is developed for describing approximate classical behaviour in finite (but possibly large) quantum systems. This is done in terms of a structure common to classical and quantum mechanics, viz. a Poisson space with a transition probability. Both the limit where Planck's constant goes to zero in a fixed finite system and the limit where the size of the system goes to infinity are incorporated. In either case, classical behaviour is seen only for certain observables and in a restricted class of states.
In the probability representation of the standard quantum mechanics, the explicit expression (and its quasiclassical van-Fleck approximation) for the ``classical'' propagator (transition probability distribution), which completely describes the quantum system's evolution, is found in terms of the quantum propagator. An expression for the ``classical'' propagator in terms of path integral is derived. Examples of free motion and harmonic oscillator are considered. The evolution equation in the Bargmann representation of the optical tomography approach is obtained.
We show that the Kolmogorov distance allows to quantify memory effects in classical stochastic processes by studying the evolution of the single-time probability distribution. We further investigate the relation between the Kolmogorov distance and other sufficient but not necessary signatures of non-Markovianity within the classical setting.
In the limit of large quantum excitations, the classical and quantum probability distributions for a Schrödinger equation can be compared by using the corresponding WKBJ solutions whose rapid oscillations are averaged. This result is extended for one-dimensional Hamiltonians with a non-usual kinetic part. The validity of the approach is tested with a Hamiltonian containing a relativistic kinetic energy operator.
A system's apparent simplicity depends on whether it is represented classically or quantally. This is not so surprising, as classical and quantum physics are descriptive frameworks built on different assumptions that capture, emphasize, and express different properties and mechanisms. What is surprising is that, as we demonstrate, simplicity is ambiguous: the relative simplicity between two systems can change sign when moving between classical and quantum descriptions. Thus, notions of absolute physical simplicity---minimal structure or memory---at best form a partial, not a total, order. This…
For closed quantum systems driven away from equilibrium, work is often defined in terms of projective measurements of initial and final energies. This definition leads to statistical distributions of work that satisfy nonequilibrium work and fluctuation relations. While this two-point measurement definition of quantum work can be justified heuristically by appeal to the first law of thermodynamics, its relationship to the classical definition of work has not been carefully examined. In this paper we employ semiclassical methods, combined with numerical simulations of a driven quartic oscillato…
Detailed measurements of the cosmic microwave background indicate the large-scale homogeneity of the universe. On very small scales, we observe however inhomogeneities such as galaxies, stars, planets and ourselves. In the context of hot Big-Bang cosmology, these inhomogeneities are often explained as the remains of quantum fluctuations at very early times, enlarged to observable scales through the process of inflation. In this dissertation, I examine two important questions surrounding this scenario: a) How do inherently quantal fluctuations transition to the observed inhomogeneities, which b…
Quantum resolution of the Schwarzschild singularity
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram（印度科学教育研究所特里凡得琅分校）；Imperial College London（伦敦帝国理工学院）；University of Lethbridge（莱斯布里奇大学）
Recently Dzhafarov and Kon published the paper advertising the possibility to use the coupling technique of classical probability theory to model incompatible observables in quantum physics and quantum-like models of psychology. Here I present comments on this paper by stressing advantages and disadvantages.
We describe a scheme for constructing quantum mechanics in which a quantum system is considered as a collection of open classical subsystems. This allows using the formal classical logic and classical probability theory in quantum mechanics. Our approach nevertheless allows completely reproducing the standard mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics and identifying its applicability limits. We especially attend to the quantum state reduction problem.
Classical quasi-integrable systems are known to have Lyapunov times much shorter than their ergodicity time, but the situation for their quantum counterparts is less well understood. As a first example, we examine the quantum Lyapunov exponent -- defined by the evolution of the 4-point out-of-time-order correlator (OTOC) -- of integrable systems which are weakly perturbed by an external noise, a setting that has proven to be illuminating in the classical case. In analogy to the tangent space in classical systems, we derive a linear superoperator equation which dictates the OTOC dynamics. We fi…
Classical quasi-integrable systems are known to have Lyapunov times much shorter than their ergodicity time -- the most clear example being the Solar System -- but the situation for their quantum counterparts is less well understood. As a first example, we examine the quantum Lyapunov exponent, defined by the evolution of the 4-point out-of-time-order correlator (OTOC), of integrable systems which are weakly perturbed by an external noise, a setting that has proven to be illuminating in the classical case. In analogy to the tangent space in classical systems, we derive a linear superoperator e…
We give an overview and conceptual discussion of some of our results on contextuality and non-locality. We focus in particular on connections with the work of Itamar Pitowsky on correlation polytopes, Bell inequalities, and Boole's "conditions of possible experience".
In this paper, lower bounds on error probability in coding for discrete classical and classical-quantum channels are studied. The contribution of the paper goes in two main directions: i) extending classical bounds of Shannon, Gallager and Berlekamp to classical-quantum channels, and ii) proposing a new framework for lower bounding the probability of error of channels with a zero-error capacity in the low rate region. The relation between these two problems is revealed by showing that Lovász' bound on zero-error capacity emerges as a natural consequence of the sphere packing bound once we move…
Probability waves in the configuration space are associated with coherent solutions of the classical Liouville or Fokker-Planck equations. Distributions localized in the momentum space provide action waves, specified by the probability density and the generating function of the Hamilton-Jacobi theory. It is shown that by introducing a minimum distance in the coordinate space, the action distributions aquire the energy dispersion specific to the quantum objects. At finite temperature, probability density waves propagating with the sound velocity are obtained as nonstationary solutions of the cl…
