In 1989, Deutsch gave a basic physical explanation of why quantum-mechanical probabilities are squares of amplitudes. Essentially, a general state vector is transformed into a highly symmetric equal-amplitude superposition. The argument was recently elaborated and publicised by DeWitt. It has remained incomplete, however, inasmuch as both authors anticipate the usual normalization (sum of amplitudes squared) of state vectors. In the present paper, a thought experiment is devised in which Deutsch's idea is demonstrated independently of the normalization, exploiting further symmetries instead.
The probability representation of quantum and classical statistical mechanics is discussed. Symplectic tomography, center-of-mass tomography, and spin tomography are studied. The connection of tomographic probabilities with dynamic symmetries like symplectic group is considered. Entropic uncertainty relations and inequalities for spin tomograms are reviewed.
Within the framework of the probability representation of quantum mechanics, we study a superposition of generic Gaussian states associated to symmetries of a regular polygon of n sides; in other words, the cyclic groups (containing the rotational symmetries) and dihedral groups (containing the rotational and inversion symmetries). We obtain the Wigner functions and tomographic probability distributions (symplectic and optical tomograms) determining the density matrices of the states explicitly as the sums of Gaussian terms. The obtained Wigner functions demonstrate nonclassical behavior, i.e.…
The four-bar linkage is a basic arrangement of mechanical engineering and represents the simplest movable system formed by a closed sequence of bar-shaped bodies. Although the mechanism can have in general a spatial arrangement, we focus here on the prototypical planar case, starting however from a spatial viewpoint. The classification of the mechanism relies on the angular range spanned by the rotational motion of the bars allowed by the ratios among their lengths and is established by conditions for the existence of either one or more bars allowed to move as cranks, namely to be permitted to…
We propose measurement-based quantum computation (MBQC) as a quantum mechanical toy model for spacetime. Within this framework, we discuss the constraints on possible temporal orders enforced by certain symmetries present in every MBQC. We provide a classification for all MBQC temporal relations compatible with a given initial quantum state and measurement setting, in terms of a matroid. Further, we find a symmetry transformation related to local complementation that leaves the temporal relations invariant. After light cones and closed time-like curves have previously been found to have MBQC c…
We use the mathematical structure of group algebras and $H^{+}$-algebras for describing certain problems concerning the quantum dynamics of systems of angular momenta, including also the spin systems. The underlying groups are ${\rm SU}(2)$ and its quotient ${\rm SO}(3,\mathbb{R})$. The scheme developed is applied in two different contexts. Firstly, the purely group-algebraic framework is applied to the system of angular momenta of arbitrary origin, e.g., orbital angular momenta of electrons and nucleons, systems of quantized angular momenta of rotating extended objects like molecules. The oth…
We examine the notion of nonclassicality in terms of quasiprobability distributions. In particular, we do not only ask if a specific quasiprobability can be interpreted as a classical probability density, but require that characteristic features of classical electrodynamics are resembled. We show that the only quasiprobabilities which correctly describe the superposition principle of classical electromagnetic fields are the $s$-parameterized quasiprobabilities. Furthermore, the Glauber-Sudarshan P function is the only quantum-mechanical quasiprobability which is transformed at a classical atte…
A theory for wave mechanical systems with local inversion and translation symmetries is developed employing the two-dimensional solution space of the stationary Schrödinger equation. The local symmetries of the potential are encoded into corresponding local basis vectors in terms of symmetry-induced two-point invariant currents which map the basis amplitudes between symmetry-related points. A universal wavefunction structure in locally symmetric potentials is revealed, independently of the physical boundary conditions, by using special local bases which are adapted to the existing local symmet…
The authors of the recent paper [1] boldly claim to discover a new fully quantum approach to foundation of statistical mechanics: "Our conceptually novel approach is free of mathematically ambiguous notions such as probability, ensemble, randomness, etc." The aim of this note is to show that this approach is neither specific for quantum systems nor really conceptually different from the standard textbook arguments supporting microcanonical or canonical ensembles in statistical mechanics.
All covariant time operators with normalized probability distribution are derived. Symmetry criteria are invoked to arrive at a unique expression for a given Hamiltonian. As an application, a well known result for the arrival time distribution of a free particle is generalized and extended. Interestingly, the resulting arrival time distribution operator is connected to a particular, positive, quantization of the classical current. For particles in a potential we also introduce and study the notion of conditional arrival-time distribution.
We study the uncertainties of quantum mechanical observables, quantified by the standard deviation (square root of variance) in Haar-distributed random pure states. We derive analytically the probability density functions (PDFs) of the uncertainties of arbitrary qubit observables. Based on these PDFs, the uncertainty regions of the observables are characterized by the supports of the PDFs. The state-independent uncertainty relations are then transformed into the optimization problems over uncertainty regions, which opens a new vista for studying state independent uncertainty relations. Our res…
In quantum theory, the modulus-square of the inner product of two normalized Hilbert space elements is to be interpreted as the transition probability between the pure states represented by these elements. A probabilistically motivated and more general definition of this transition probability was introduced in a preceding paper and is extended here to a general type of quantum logics: the orthomodular partially ordered sets. A very general version of the quantum no-cloning theorem, creating promising new opportunities for quantum cryptography, is presented and an interesting relationship betw…
The quantum mechanical no-cloning theorem for pure states is generalized and transfered to the quantum logics with a conditional probability calculus in a rather abstract, though simple and basic fashion without relying on a tensor product construction or finite dimension as required in other generalizations.
We study dynamical signatures of quantum chaos in one of the most relevant models in many-body quantum mechanics, the Bose-Hubbard model, whose high degree of symmetries yields a large number of invariant subspaces and degenerate energy levels. While the standard procedure to reveal signatures of quantum chaos requires classifying the energy levels according to their symmetries, we show that this classification is not necessary to obtain manifestation of spectral correlations in the temporal evolution of the survival probability. Our findings exhibit the survival probability as a powerful tool…
Quantification starts with sum and product rules that express combination and partition. These rules rest on elementary symmetries that have wide applicability, which explains why arithmetical adding up and splitting into proportions are ubiquitous. Specifically, measure theory formalises addition, and probability theory formalises inference in terms of proportions. Quantum theory rests on the same simple symmetries, but is formalised in two dimensions, not just one, in order to track an object through its binary interactions with other objects. The symmetries still require sum and product rul…
The action of the quantum mechanical volume operator, introduced in connection with a symmetric representation of the three-body problem and recently recognized to play a fundamental role in discretized quantum gravity models, can be given as a second order difference equation which, by a complex phase change, we turn into a discrete Schrödinger-like equation. The introduction of discrete potential-like functions reveals the surprising crucial role here of hidden symmetries, first discovered by Regge for the quantum mechanical 6j symbols; insight is provided into the underlying geometric featu…
In this paper we show that the point-group (geometrical) symmetry is insufficient to account for the degeneracy of the energy levels of the particle in a cubic box. The discrepancy is due to hidden (dynamical symmetry). We obtain the operators that commute with the Hamiltonian one and connect eigenfunctions of different symmetries. We also show that the addition of a suitable potential inside the box breaks the dynamical symmetry but preserves the geometrical one.The resulting degeneracy is that predicted by point-group symmetry.
The relevance of the concept of Fisher information is increasing in both statistical physics and quantum computing. From a statistical mechanical standpoint, the application of Fisher information in the kinetic theory of gases is characterized by its decrease along the solutions of the Boltzmann equation for Maxwellian molecules in the two-dimensional case. From a quantum mechanical standpoint, the output state in Grover's quantum search algorithm follows a geodesic path obtained from the Fubini-Study metric on the manifold of Hilbert-space rays. Additionally, Grover's algorithm is specified b…
We investigate the dynamics of two bosons trapped in an infinite one-dimensional optical lattice potential within the framework of the Bose-Hubbard model and derive an exact expression for the wavefunction at finite time. As initial condition we chose localized atoms that are separated by a distance of $d$ lattice sites and carry a center of mass quasi-momentum. An initially localized pair ($d=0$) is found to be more stable as quantified by the pair probability (probability to find two atoms at the same lattice site) when the interaction and/or the center of mass quasi-momentum is increased. F…
In the recent years, information theory of quantum-mechanical systems have aroused the interest of many Theoretical Physicist. This due to the fact that it provides a deeper insight into the internal structure of the systems. Also, It is the strongest support of the modern quantum computation and information, which is basic for numerous technological developments. This study report the any $\ell-$state solution of the radial Schrödinger equation with the Mie-type ring shaped diatomic molecular potential. Rotational-vibration of some few selected diatomic molecules are given. The probability di…
The familiar "modulus squared" form of all quantum mechanical probabilities is derived from an assumption of equal a priori probabilities concerning the final states available.
We introduce the concept of parity symmetry in restricted spatial domains -- local parity -- and explore its impact on the stationary transport properties of generic, one-dimensional aperiodic potentials of compact support. It is shown that, in each domain of local parity symmetry of the potential, there exists an invariant quantity in the form of a non-local current, in addition to the globally invariant probability current. For symmetrically incoming states, both invariant currents vanish if weak commutation of the total local parity operator with the Hamiltonian is established, leading to l…
By using path integrals, the stochastic process associated to the time evolution of the quantum probability density is formally rewritten in terms of a stochastic differential equation, given by Newton's equation of motion with an additional multiplicative stochastic force. However, the term playing the role of the stochastic force is defined by a non-positive-definite probability functional, providing a clear example of the negative (or "extended") probabilities characteristic of quantum mechanics.
A quantum mechanical observer might be describable as having a reference system that is a superposition of classical inertial reference frames. The present paper suggests a possible weighting function in such superpositions, determined by the product of the observer's wavefunction and the Fourier transform of the wavefunction at each point in phase space. This suggestion is made because each of these factors has a simple interpretation as a probability density amplitude. Other forms for the weighting function may well be possible.
We explore wave-mechanical scattering in two spatial dimensions assuming that the corresponding potential is invariant under linear symmetry transforms such as rotations, reflections and coordinate exchange. Usually the asymptotic scattering conditions do not respect the symmetries of the potential and there is no systematic way to predetermine their imprint on the scattered wave field. Here we show that symmetry induced, non-local, divergence-free currents can be a useful tool for the description of the consequences of symmetries on higher dimensional wave scattering, focusing on the two-dime…
Time-averaged two-point currents are derived and shown to be spatially invariant within domains of local translation or inversion symmetry for arbitrary time-periodic quantum systems in one dimension. These currents are shown to provide a valuable tool for detecting deformations of a spatial symmetry in static and driven lattices. In the static case the invariance of the two-point currents is related to the presence of time-reversal invariance and/or probability current conservation. The obtained insights into the wavefunctions are further exploited for a symmetry-based convergence check which…
