Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1011.1076 · Symmetry

Introduction to a Quantum Theory over a Galois Field

Felix M. Lev

Published Nov 1, 2010• 13 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We consider a quantum theory based on a Galois field. In this approach infinities cannot exist, the cosmological constant problem does not arise, and one irreducible representation (IR) of the symmetry algebra splits into independent IRs describing a particle an its antiparticle only in the approximation when de Sitter energies are much less than the characteristic of the field. As a consequence, the very notions of particles and antiparticles are only approximate and such additive quantum numbers as the electric, baryon and lepton charges are conserved only in this approximation. There can be no neutral elementary particles and the spin-statistics theorem can be treated simply as a requirement that standard quantum theory should be based on complex numbers.

DOI
10.3390/sym2041810

Related papers

Problem of constructing discrete and finite quantum theory

Felix M. Lev

We consider in detail an approach (proposed by the author earlier) where quantum states are described by elements of a linear space over a Galois field, and operators of physical quantities - by linear operators in this space. The notion of Galois fields (which is extremely simple and elegant) is discussed in detail and we also discuss the conditions when our description gives the same predictions as the conventional one. In quantum theory based on a Galois field, all operators are well defined and divergencies cannot not exist in principle. A particle and its antiparticle are described by the same modular irreducible representation of the symmetry algebra. This automatically explains the existence of antiparticles and shows that a particle and its antiparticle are the different states of the same object. As a consequence, a new symmetry arises, and the structure of the theory is considerably simplified. In particular, one can work with only creation operators or only annihilation ones since they are no more independent. In our approach the problem arises whether the existence of neutral elementary particles (e.g. the photon) is compatible with the usual relation between spin and statistics, or in other words whether neutral particles can be elementary or only composite.

arXiv:hep-th/0206078•Jun 10, 2002•2 citations

Quantum Theory over a Galois Field and Spin-statistics theorem

Felix M. Lev

In our previous papers it has been shown that quantum theory based on a Galois field (GFQT) possesses a new symmetry between particles and antiparticles, and for massless particles this symmetry (called the AB one) is compatible with all representation operators of the symmetry algebra. In the present paper, it is shown that the AB symmetry is compatible with all representation operators of the symmetry algebra in the general case. As a consequence of simple arithmetical considerations, this symmetry is compatible with the vacuum condition, only for particles with half-integer spin (in usual units). If the AB symmetry is combined with the spin-statistics theorem, one arrives at the following conclusions: in quantum theory based on a Galois field i) any neutral particle can be only composite but not elementary (this property has been proved for the massless case in hep-th/0207192); ii) any interaction can involve only an even number of creation/annihilation operators.

arXiv:hep-th/0209001•Aug 30, 2002•0 citations

Supersymmetry in Quantum Theory Over a Galois Field

Felix M. Lev

As shown in our previous papers (hep-th/0209001 and reference therein), quantum theory based on a Galois field (GFQT) possesses a new symmetry between particles and antiparticles, which has no analog in the standard approach. In the present paper it is shown that this symmetry (called the AB one) is also compatible with supersymmetry. We believe this is a strong argument in favor of our assumption that the AB symmetry is a fundamental symmetry in the GFQT (and in nature if it is described by quantum theory over a Galois field). We also consider operatorial formulations of space inversion and X inversion in the GFQT. It is shown in particular that the well known fact, that the parity of bosons is real and the parity of fermions is imaginary, is a simple consequence of the AB symmetry.

arXiv:hep-th/0209229•Sep 26, 2002•3 citations

Crisis in Quantum Theory and Its Possible Resolution

Felix M. Lev

It is argued that the main reason of crisis in quantum theory is that na-ture, which is fundamentally discrete, is described by continuous mathematics. Moreover, no ultimate physical theory can be based on continuous mathematics because, as follows from Gödel’s incompleteness theorems, any mathematics in-volving the set of all natural numbers has its own foundational problems which cannot be resolved. In the first part of the paper inconsistencies in standard approach to quantum theory are discussed and the theory is reformulated such that it can be naturally generalized to a formulation based on discrete and finite mathematics. Then the cosmological acceleration and gravity can be treated simply as kinematical manifestations of de Sitter symmetry on quantum level (i.e. for describing those phenomena the notions of dark energy, space-time background and gravitational interaction are not needed). In the second part of the paper motivation, ideas and main results of a quantum theory over a Galois field (GFQT) are described. In contrast to standard quantum theory, GFQT is based on a solid mathematics and therefore can be treated as a candidate for ultimate quantum theory. The presentation is non-technical and should be understandable by a wide audience of physicists and mathematicians.

•May 1, 2014•0 citations

Galois and Class Field Theory for Quantum Chemists

Ichio Kikuchi, Akihito Kikuchi

Quantum mechanics could be studied through polynomial algebra, as has been demonstrated by a work (“An approach to first-principles electronic structure calculation by symbolic-numeric computation” by A. Kikuchi). We carry forward the algebraic method of quantum mechanics through algebraic number theory; the basic equations are represented by the multivariate polynomial ideals; the symbolic computations process the ideal and disentangle the eigenstates as the algebraic variety; upon which one canbuild the Galois extension of the number field, in analogy with the univariate polynomial case, to investigate the hierarchy of solutions; the Galois extension is accompanied with the group operations, which permute the eigenstates from one to another, and furnish the quantum system with a non-apparent symmetry. Besides, this sort of algebraic quantum mechanics is an embodiment of the class field theory; some of the important consequences of the latter emerge in quantum mechanics. We shall demonstrate these points through simple models; we will see the use of computational algebra facilitates such sort of analysis, which might often be complicated if we try to solve them manually.

•Jun 30, 2020•3 citations

ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS Theory Finite Groups and Quantum Physics

Vladimir V. Kornyak

Concepts of quantum theory are considered from the constructive point of view. The introduction of a continuum or other actual infinities in physics destroys constructiveness without any need for them in describing empirical observations. It is shown that quantum behavior is a natural consequence of symmetries of dynamical systems. The underlying reason is that it is impossible in principle to trace the identity of indistinguishable objects in their evolution—only information about invariant statements and values concerning such objects is available. General mathematical arguments indicate that any quantum dynamics is reducible to a sequence of permutations. Quantum phenomena, such as interference, arise in invariant subspaces of permutation representations of the symmetry group of a dynamical system. Observable quantities can be expressed in terms of permutation invariants. It is shown that nonconstructive number systems, such as complex numbers, are not needed for describing quantum phenomena. It is sufficient to employ cyclotomic numbers—a minimal extension of natural numbers that is appropriate for quantum mechanics. The use of finite groups in physics, which underlies the present approach, has an additional motivation. Numerous experiments and observations in the particle physics suggest the importance of finite groups of relatively small orders in some fundamental processes. The origin of these groups is unclear within the currently accepted theories—in particular, within the Standard Model.

•Jan 1, 2013•0 citations
We consider a quantum theory based on a Galois field. In this approach infinities cannot exist, the cosmological constant problem does not arise, and one irreducible representation (IR) of the symmetry algebra splits into independent IRs describing a particle an its antiparticle only in the approximation when de Sitter energies are much less than the characteristic of the field. As a consequence, the very notions of particles and antiparticles are only approximate and such additive quantum numbers as the electric, baryon and lepton charges are conserved only in this approximation. There can be no neutral elementary particles and the spin-statistics theorem can be treated simply as a requirement that standard quantum theory should be based on complex numbers.
We consider in detail an approach (proposed by the author earlier) where quantum states are described by elements of a linear space over a Galois field, and operators of physical quantities - by linear operators in this space. The notion of Galois fields (which is extremely simple and elegant) is discussed in detail and we also discuss the conditions when our description gives the same predictions as the conventional one. In quantum theory based on a Galois field, all operators are well defined and divergencies cannot not exist in principle. A particle and its antiparticle are described by the same modular irreducible representation of the symmetry algebra. This automatically explains the existence of antiparticles and shows that a particle and its antiparticle are the different states of the same object. As a consequence, a new symmetry arises, and the structure of the theory is considerably simplified. In particular, one can work with only creation operators or only annihilation ones since they are no more independent. In our approach the problem arises whether the existence of neutral elementary particles (e.g. the photon) is compatible with the usual relation between spin and statistics, or in other words whether neutral particles can be elementary or only composite.
In our previous papers it has been shown that quantum theory based on a Galois field (GFQT) possesses a new symmetry between particles and antiparticles, and for massless particles this symmetry (called the AB one) is compatible with all representation operators of the symmetry algebra. In the present paper, it is shown that the AB symmetry is compatible with all representation operators of the symmetry algebra in the general case. As a consequence of simple arithmetical considerations, this symmetry is compatible with the vacuum condition, only for particles with half-integer spin (in usual units). If the AB symmetry is combined with the spin-statistics theorem, one arrives at the following conclusions: in quantum theory based on a Galois field i) any neutral particle can be only composite but not elementary (this property has been proved for the massless case in hep-th/0207192); ii) any interaction can involve only an even number of creation/annihilation operators.
As shown in our previous papers (hep-th/0209001 and reference therein), quantum theory based on a Galois field (GFQT) possesses a new symmetry between particles and antiparticles, which has no analog in the standard approach. In the present paper it is shown that this symmetry (called the AB one) is also compatible with supersymmetry. We believe this is a strong argument in favor of our assumption that the AB symmetry is a fundamental symmetry in the GFQT (and in nature if it is described by quantum theory over a Galois field). We also consider operatorial formulations of space inversion and X inversion in the GFQT. It is shown in particular that the well known fact, that the parity of bosons is real and the parity of fermions is imaginary, is a simple consequence of the AB symmetry.
It is argued that the main reason of crisis in quantum theory is that na-ture, which is fundamentally discrete, is described by continuous mathematics. Moreover, no ultimate physical theory can be based on continuous mathematics because, as follows from Gödel’s incompleteness theorems, any mathematics in-volving the set of all natural numbers has its own foundational problems which cannot be resolved. In the first part of the paper inconsistencies in standard approach to quantum theory are discussed and the theory is reformulated such that it can be naturally generalized to a formulation based on discrete and finite mathematics. Then the cosmological acceleration and gravity can be treated simply as kinematical manifestations of de Sitter symmetry on quantum level (i.e. for describing those phenomena the notions of dark energy, space-time background and gravitational interaction are not needed). In the second part of the paper motivation, ideas and main results of a quantum theory over a Galois field (GFQT) are described. In contrast to standard quantum theory, GFQT is based on a solid mathematics and therefore can be treated as a candidate for ultimate quantum theory. The presentation is non-technical and should be understandable by a wide audience of physicists and mathematicians.
Quantum mechanics could be studied through polynomial algebra, as has been demonstrated by a work (“An approach to first-principles electronic structure calculation by symbolic-numeric computation” by A. Kikuchi). We carry forward the algebraic method of quantum mechanics through algebraic number theory; the basic equations are represented by the multivariate polynomial ideals; the symbolic computations process the ideal and disentangle the eigenstates as the algebraic variety; upon which one canbuild the Galois extension of the number field, in analogy with the univariate polynomial case, to investigate the hierarchy of solutions; the Galois extension is accompanied with the group operations, which permute the eigenstates from one to another, and furnish the quantum system with a non-apparent symmetry. Besides, this sort of algebraic quantum mechanics is an embodiment of the class field theory; some of the important consequences of the latter emerge in quantum mechanics. We shall demonstrate these points through simple models; we will see the use of computational algebra facilitates such sort of analysis, which might often be complicated if we try to solve them manually.
Concepts of quantum theory are considered from the constructive point of view. The introduction of a continuum or other actual infinities in physics destroys constructiveness without any need for them in describing empirical observations. It is shown that quantum behavior is a natural consequence of symmetries of dynamical systems. The underlying reason is that it is impossible in principle to trace the identity of indistinguishable objects in their evolution—only information about invariant statements and values concerning such objects is available. General mathematical arguments indicate that any quantum dynamics is reducible to a sequence of permutations. Quantum phenomena, such as interference, arise in invariant subspaces of permutation representations of the symmetry group of a dynamical system. Observable quantities can be expressed in terms of permutation invariants. It is shown that nonconstructive number systems, such as complex numbers, are not needed for describing quantum phenomena. It is sufficient to employ cyclotomic numbers—a minimal extension of natural numbers that is appropriate for quantum mechanics. The use of finite groups in physics, which underlies the present approach, has an additional motivation. Numerous experiments and observations in the particle physics suggest the importance of finite groups of relatively small orders in some fundamental processes. The origin of these groups is unclear within the currently accepted theories—in particular, within the Standard Model.