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arXiv:0903.3160

Group Representational Clues to a Theory Underlying Quantum Mechanics

Casey Blood

Published Mar 18, 2009• 5 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The current form of quantum mechanics is very successful and is almost certainly correct. It is remarkable, however, that the entire structure-from the mass, spin and charge labels on particlelike states to antisymmetry to broken internal symmetries to gauge transformations to the equations of motion-is built upon concepts from group representation theory. That is, the theory is constructed exactly as if it were a representational form of an underlying theory. Our proposed form for the underlying theory is that it is based on a linear equation, OF(V)=0. F is a function of some set of independent, currently unknown variables V, with O being a linear, partial differential operator in those variables. The operator is assumed to be invariant under a group of transformations of the Vs, homomorphic to the direct product of the inhomogeneous Lorentz group and the internal symmetry group. In such a theory, a state vector, denoted by a ket with group-theoretic labels, would represent a function of the independent variables. In addition to explaining the group representational structure of quantum mechanics, an underlying theory offers insight into gauge theory.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.0903.3160

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The current form of quantum mechanics is very successful and is almost certainly correct. It is remarkable, however, that the entire structure-from the mass, spin and charge labels on particlelike states to antisymmetry to broken internal symmetries to gauge transformations to the equations of motion-is built upon concepts from group representation theory. That is, the theory is constructed exactly as if it were a representational form of an underlying theory. Our proposed form for the underlying theory is that it is based on a linear equation, OF(V)=0. F is a function of some set of independent, currently unknown variables V, with O being a linear, partial differential operator in those variables. The operator is assumed to be invariant under a group of transformations of the Vs, homomorphic to the direct product of the inhomogeneous Lorentz group and the internal symmetry group. In such a theory, a state vector, denoted by a ket with group-theoretic labels, would represent a function of the independent variables. In addition to explaining the group representational structure of quantum mechanics, an underlying theory offers insight into gauge theory.
Linearity allows several versions of reality to simultaneously exist in the state vector. But it implies that there is no interaction between versions, and that there will never be perception of more than one version. It also implies, in conjunction with group representation theory, that the particle-like properties of mass, energy, momentum, spin and charge are attributes of the state vectors. These results can be used to show there is no evidence for the objective existence of particles. The properties of the wave function are sufficient to explain all the particle-like properties of matter. Representation theory is also extensively employed in the Standard Model, with gauge fields transforming as representations of the internal symmetry group. And when applied to the permutation group, it is essential for understanding symmetric and antisymmetric states. In fact all of quantum mechanics is set up exactly as if it were the representation of an underlying pre-representational theory. A linear equation structure for the underlying theory is suggested, and it is shown in outline how quantum field theory emerges as a representational form of the pre-representational theory.
It is usually assumed that a ket represents the state of an actually existing particle. But one can show there is no evidence for particles. The particle-like properties of mass, spin and charge, as well as particle-like trajectories, the photoelectric effect, and localized effects from spread-out wave functions can be explained using quantum mechanics alone. It is therefore proposed instead that kets represent particle-like solutions to a pre-representational linear partial differential equation which has Poincaré and internal symmetries. This equation underlies the completely representational character, including mass, spin, charge, internal symmetries, and symmetric and antisymmetric statistics, of current quantum mechanics.
A hidden gauge theory structure of quantum mechanics which is invisible in its conventional formulation is uncovered. Quantum mechanics is shown to be equivalent to a certain Yang-Mills theory with an infinite-dimensional gauge group and a nondynamical connection. It is defined over an arbitrary symplectic manifold which constitutes the phase-space of the system under consideration. The ''matter fields'' are local generalizations of states and observables: they assume values in a family of local Hilbert spaces (and their tensor products) which are attached to the points of phase-space. Under local frame rotations they transform in the spinor representation of the metaplectic group Mp(2N), the double covering of Sp(2N). The rules of canonical quantization are replaced by two independent postulates with a simple group theoretical and differential geometrical interpretation. A novel background-quantum split symmetry plays a central role. (orig.)
This article shows that one can consistently incorporate nonunitary representations of at least one group into the ``ordinary'' nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. This group turns out to be Lorentz group thus giving us an alternative approach to QFT for combining the quantum mechanics and special theory of relativity which keeps the concept of wave function (belonging to some representation of Lorentz group) through the whole theory. Scalar product has been redefined to take into the account the nonunitarity of representations of Lorentz group. Understanding parity symmetry turns out to be the key ingredient throughout the process. Instead of trying to guess an equation or a set of equations for some wave functions or fields (or equivalently trying to guess a Lagrangian for the same), one derives them based only on the superposition principle and properties of wave functions under Lorentz transformations and parity. The resulting model has striking similarities with the standard quantum field theory and yet has no negative energy states, no zitterbewegung effects, symmetric energy momentum tensor and angular momentum density tensor for \emph{all} representations of Lorentz group (unifying the theoretical description of all particles), as well as clear physical interpretation. It also offers a possible interpretation why particles and antiparticles have opposite quantum numbers.
A hidden gauge theory structure of quantum mechanics which is invisible in its conventional formulation is uncovered. Quantum mechanics is shown to be equivalent to a certain Yang–Mills theory with an infinite-dimensional gauge group and a nondynamical connection. It is defined over an arbitrary symplectic manifold which constitutes the phase space of the system under consideration. The "matter fields" are local generalizations of states and observables; they assume values in a family of local Hilbert spaces (and their tensor products) which are attached to the points of phase space. Under local frame rotations they transform in the spinor representation of the metaplectic group Mp(2N), the double covering of Sp(2N). The rules of canonical quantization are replaced by two independent postulates with a simple group-theoretical and differential-geometrical interpretation. A novel background-quantum split symmetry plays a central role.
General remarks As already mentioned in the Introduction, the exact solution of the main equation of quantum mechanics – the Schrödinger equation – lies beyond the potentialities of modern mathematics and computer technology. But a number of important inferences about the behaviour, structure and properties of a given quantum-mechanical many-particle system can be drawn without solving this equation, just by examining its symmetry properties. Symmetry concepts come about in physics in two ways. First, since any physical process occurs in a real space, we have to make use of one or another coordinate system. The isotropy and homogeneity of space make physically meaningful only those mathematical relationships that remain unchanged under rotations of the axes of the coordinate system, and that impose fairly rigorous constraints on the possible physical laws. Second, every physical object and process features a symmetry which should be taken into account by the physical theory. A common idea underlying particular forms of symmetry is the invariance of a system under a certain set (group) of transformations. The normally considered forms of symmetry are rotational symmetry, which is based on the equivalence of all directions in space, and permutation symmetry, which is caused by identical particles. The operations of the geometrical symmetry group are responsible for appropriate conservation laws. So, the rotational symmetry of a closed system gives rise to the law of conservation of angular momentum. The group of rotations of a three-dimensional space stands apart in atomic spectroscopy. This is mostly due to the high accuracy of the central field approximation, on which the entire modern theory of complex atoms and ions is based.