9,347 research outputs found
Quantum initial value representations using approximate Bohmian trajectories
Quantum trajectories, originating from the de Broglie-Bohm (dBB) hydrodynamic
description of quantum mechanics, are used to construct time-correlation
functions in an initial value representation (IVR). The formulation is fully
quantum mechanical and the resulting equations for the correlation functions
are similar in form to their semi-classical analogs but do not require the
computation of the stability or monodromy matrix or conjugate points. We then
move to a {\em local} trajectory description by evolving the cumulants of the
wave function along each individual path. The resulting equations of motion are
an infinite hierarchy, which we truncate at a given order. We show that
time-correlation functions computed using these approximate quantum
trajectories can be used to accurately compute the eigenvalue spectrum for
various potential systems.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure
Resonances, Unstable Systems and Irreversibility: Matter Meets Mind
The fundamental time-reversal invariance of dynamical systems can be broken
in various ways. One way is based on the presence of resonances and their
interactions giving rise to unstable dynamical systems, leading to well-defined
time arrows. Associated with these time arrows are semigroups bearing time
orientations. Usually, when time symmetry is broken, two time-oriented
semigroups result, one directed toward the future and one directed toward the
past. If time-reversed states and evolutions are excluded due to resonances,
then the status of these states and their associated backwards-in-time oriented
semigroups is open to question. One possible role for these latter states and
semigroups is as an abstract representation of mental systems as opposed to
material systems. The beginnings of this interpretation will be sketched.Comment: 9 pages. Presented at the CFIF Workshop on TimeAsymmetric Quantum
Theory: The Theory of Resonances, 23-26 July 2003, Instituto Superior
Tecnico, Lisbon, Portugal; and at the Quantum Structures Association Meeting,
7-22 July 2004, University of Denver. Accepted for publication in the
Internation Journal of Theoretical Physic
The density matrix in the de Broglie-Bohm approach
If the density matrix is treated as an objective description of individual
systems, it may become possible to attribute the same objective significance to
statistical mechanical properties, such as entropy or temperature, as to
properties such as mass or energy. It is shown that the de Broglie-Bohm
interpretation of quantum theory can be consistently applied to density
matrices as a description of individual systems. The resultant trajectories are
examined for the case of the delayed choice interferometer, for which Bell
appears to suggest that such an interpretation is not possible. Bell's argument
is shown to be based upon a different understanding of the density matrix to
that proposed here.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure
Irreversible Quantum Mechanics in the Neutral K-System
The neutral Kaon system is used to test the quantum theory of resonance
scattering and decay phenomena. The two dimensional Lee-Oehme-Yang theory with
complex Hamiltonian is obtained by truncating the complex basis vector
expansion of the exact theory in Rigged Hilbert space. This can be done for K_1
and K_2 as well as for K_S and K_L, depending upon whether one chooses the
(self-adjoint, semi-bounded) Hamiltonian as commuting or non-commuting with CP.
As an unexpected curiosity one can show that the exact theory (without
truncation) predicts long-time 2 pion decays of the neutral Kaon system even if
the Hamiltonian conserves CP.Comment: 36 pages, 1 PostScript figure include
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