Solving simple quaternionic differential equations

The renewed interest in investigating quaternionic quantum mechanics, in particular tunneling effects, and the recent results on quaternionic differential operators motivate the study of resolution methods for quaternionic differential equations. In this paper, by using the real matrix representation of left/right acting quaternionic operators, we prove existence and uniqueness for quaternionic initial value problems, discuss the reduction of order for quaternionic homogeneous differential equations and extend to the non-commutative case the method of variation of parameters. We also show that the standard Wronskian cannot uniquely be extended to the quaternionic case. Nevertheless, the absolute value of the complex Wronskian admits a non-commutative extension for quaternionic functions of one real variable. Linear dependence and independence of solutions of homogeneous (right) H-linear differential equations is then related to this new functional. Our discussion is, for simplicity, presented for quaternionic second order differential equations. This involves no loss of generality. Definitions and results can be readily extended to the n-order case.Comment: 9 pages, AMS-Te

Right eigenvalue equation in quaternionic quantum mechanics

We study the right eigenvalue equation for quaternionic and complex linear matrix operators defined in n-dimensional quaternionic vector spaces. For quaternionic linear operators the eigenvalue spectrum consists of n complex values. For these operators we give a necessary and sufficient condition for the diagonalization of their quaternionic matrix representations. Our discussion is also extended to complex linear operators, whose spectrum is characterized by 2n complex eigenvalues. We show that a consistent analysis of the eigenvalue problem for complex linear operators requires the choice of a complex geometry in defining inner products. Finally, we introduce some examples of the left eigenvalue equations and highlight the main difficulties in their solution.Comment: 24 pages, AMS-Te

Quaternionic potentials in non-relativistic quantum mechanics

We discuss the Schrodinger equation in presence of quaternionic potentials. The study is performed analytically as long as it proves possible, when not, we resort to numerical calculations. The results obtained could be useful to investigate an underlying quaternionic quantum dynamics in particle physics. Experimental tests and proposals to observe quaternionic quantum effects by neutron interferometry are briefly reviewed.Comment: 21 pages, 16 figures (ps), AMS-Te

Potential Scattering in Dirac Field Theory

We develop the potential scattering of a spinor within the context of perturbation field theory. As an application, we reproduce, up to second order in the potential, the diffusion results for a potential barrier of quantum mechanics. An immediate consequence is a simple generalization to arbitrary potential forms, a feature not possible in quantum mechanics.Comment: 7 page

Quaternionic eigenvalue problem

We discuss the (right) eigenvalue equation for $\mathbb{H}$, $\mathbb{C}$ and $\mathbb{R}$ linear quaternionic operators. The possibility to introduce an isomorphism between these operators and real/complex matrices allows to translate the quaternionic problem into an {\em equivalent} real or complex counterpart. Interesting applications are found in solving differential equations within quaternionic formulations of quantum mechanics.Comment: 13 pages, AMS-Te

Relativistic tunneling through opaque barriers

We propose an analytical study of relativistic tunneling through opaque barriers. We obtain a closed formula for the phase time. This formula is in excellent agreement with the numerical simulations and corrects the standard formula obtained by the stationary phase method. An important result is found when the upper limit of the incoming energy distribution coincides with the upper limit of the tunneling zone. In this case, the phase time is proportional to the barrier width.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Dirac Equation Studies in the Tunnelling Energy Zone

We investigate the tunnelling zone V0 < E < V0+m for a one-dimensional potential within the Dirac equation. We find the appearance of superluminal transit times akin to the Hartman effect.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Quaternionic Electroweak Theory and CKM Matrix

We find in our quaternionic version of the electroweak theory an apparently hopeless problem: In going from complex to quaternions, the calculation of the real-valued parameters of the CKM matrix drastically changes. We aim to explain this quaternionic puzzle.Comment: 8, Revtex, Int. J. Theor. Phys. (to be published