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arXiv:1101.3435 · Journal of Mathematical Physics

Quantum mechanics without an equation of motion

Abdulaziz D Alhaidari

Published Jun 1, 2011• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We propose a formulation of quantum mechanics for a finite level system whose potential function is not realizable and/or analytic solution of the wave equation is not feasible. The system's wavefunction is written as an infinite sum in a complete set of square integrable functions. Interaction in the theory is introduced in function space by a real finite tridiagonal symmetric matrix. The expansion coefficients of the wavefunction satisfy a three-term recursion relation incorporating the parameters of the interaction. Information about the structure and dynamics of the system is contained in the scattering matrix, which is defined in the usual way. The bound state energy spectrum (system's structure) is finite. Apart from the 2M − 1 dimensionless parameters of the interaction matrix, whose rank is M, the theory has one additional scale parameter. In the development, we utilize the kinematic tools of the J-matrix method.

DOI
10.1063/1.3602278

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We propose a formulation of quantum mechanics for a finite level system whose potential function is not realizable and/or analytic solution of the wave equation is not feasible. The system's wavefunction is written as an infinite sum in a complete set of square integrable functions. Interaction in the theory is introduced in function space by a real finite tridiagonal symmetric matrix. The expansion coefficients of the wavefunction satisfy a three-term recursion relation incorporating the parameters of the interaction. Information about the structure and dynamics of the system is contained in the scattering matrix, which is defined in the usual way. The bound state energy spectrum (system's structure) is finite. Apart from the 2M − 1 dimensionless parameters of the interaction matrix, whose rank is M, the theory has one additional scale parameter. In the development, we utilize the kinematic tools of the J-matrix method.
In the standard formulation of quantum mechanics, one starts by proposing a potential function that models the physical system. The potential is then inserted into the Schrödinger equation, which is solved for the wavefunction, bound states energy spectrum, and/or scattering phase shift. In this work, however, we propose an alternative formulation in which the potential function does not appear. The aim is to obtain a set of analytically realizable systems, which is larger than in the standard formulation and may or may not be associated with any given or previously known potential functions. We start with the wavefunction, which is written as a bounded infinite sum of elements of a complete basis with polynomial coefficients that are orthogonal on an appropriate domain in the energy space. Using the asymptotic properties of these polynomials, we obtain the scattering phase shift, bound states, and resonances. This formulation enables one to handle not only the well-known quantum systems but also previously untreated ones. Illustrative examples are given for two- and three-parameter systems.
Quantum mechanics can be formulated either in terms of matrix mechanics or in terms of wave mechanics. This chapter centers on a discussion of the historical origins, mathematical structure, and extension to non-Hermitian quantum theory of matrix mechanics. The development of atomic discrete spectra and the old quantum theory showed that classical mechanics could not account for the discreteness of atomic energy levels and spectral lines, which motivated Heisenberg, Born, Jordan, and others to establish matrix mechanics centered on noncommuting physical quantities. Combining the Bohr atomic model, angular momentum quantization, and radiative transitions, one can see how matrix mechanics describes the energy level structure and quantum transitions of atomic systems, and how the Heisenberg equation of motion gives the fundamental form of quantum dynamics. The example of the harmonic oscillator further shows that the discreteness of the energy spectrum can be obtained directly from the matrix method, thereby establishing a clear connection among transition frequencies, matrix elements, and radiation-induced transitions. The matrix representation corresponds to the operator theory in Hilbert space, where state vectors, inner products, complete bases, and spectral decomposition constitute the fundamental mathematical framework of quantum mechanics. For closed quantum systems, physical observables are generally required to be represented by Hermitian or self-adjoint operators, so as to ensure that their eigenvalues possess the physically acceptable property of being real numbers. The Hermiticity of an operator is also closely related to its domain and boundary conditions, which provides a mathematical possibility for the emergence of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians. Based on these discussions, this chapter further explains how non-Hermitian dynamics is connected with open systems, dissipative processes, and special boundary conditions, thereby demonstrating the natural connection between traditional matrix mechanics and modern non-Hermitian quantum theory.
We present a formulation of quantum mechanics based on orthogonal polynomials. The wavefunction is expanded over a complete set of square integrable basis in configuration space where the expansion coefficients are orthogonal polynomials in the energy. Information about the corresponding physical systems (both structural and dynamical) are derived from the properties of these polynomials. We demonstrate that an advantage of this formulation is that the class of exactly solvable non-relativistic quantum mechanical problems becomes larger than in the conventional formulation (see, for example, Table 1 in the text).
Abstract We present a formulation of quantum mechanics based on the theory of orthogonal polynomials. The wavefunction is expanded over a complete set of square integrable basis where the expansion coefficients are orthogonal polynomials in the energy and physical parameters. Information about the corresponding physical systems (both structural and dynamical) are derived from the properties of these polynomials. We demonstrate that an advantage of this formulation is that the class of exactly solvable quantum mechanical problems becomes larger than in the conventional formulation (see, for example, table 3 in the text). We limit our investigation in this work to the Askey classification scheme of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials and focus on the Wilson polynomial and two of its limiting cases (the Meixner–Pollaczek and continuous dual Hahn polynomials). Nonetheless, the formulation is amenable to other classes of orthogonal polynomials.
The general problem of finding exactly soluble quantum systems is considered. It is argued that discrete space quantum mechanics emerges in a natural way as an avenue of approach. Discrete space quantum mechanics is formulated and applied to one-dimensional quantum systems with emphasis on single-channel models. It is found that a large variety of systems are exactly soluble in the sense that they only require the inversion of a finite-dimensional matrix. The interaction may in general be both nonlocal and non-time-reversal-invariant. The analytic structure of the resolvent is worked out in detail for a simple class of examples. It is shown that a slightly modified version of the usual continuous space Schrödinger equation may in principle be solved exactly for any finite range local potential by writing the solution in terms of corresponding discrete space solutions. It is also shown that from an algebraic viewpoint the models constructed are realizations of generalized versions of the Weyl relations.