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arXiv:1206.2917

Stochastic Theory of Quantum Mechanics

M. Godart

Published Jun 13, 2012• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The stochastic theory of non-relativistic quantum mechanics presented here relies heavily upon the theory of stochastic processes, with its definitions, theorems and specific vocabulary as well. Its main hypothesis states indeed that the classical trajectories of the particles are identical to the sample functions of a diffusion Markov process, whose conditional probability density is proposed as a substitute for the wave function. The Schroedinger equation and the so-called Nelson equations are used to determine the diffusion tensor and the drift vectors characteristic of such a process. It is then possible to write down the forward and backward Kolmogorov equations that are used to determine the conditional probability density, as well as the Fokker-Planck equation that is used to determine the normal probability density. This method is applied to several simple cases and the results obtained are compared with those of the orthodox theory. Among the most important differences let us mention that any system evolving freely from any original state returns spontaneously to its ground state, that the definitions of the particles velocities and momenta are impossible because the sample functions of a diffusion Markov process nowhere possess a derivative with respect to time and that the so-called collapse of the wave function is a mere mirage explained by the updating choice between new and older initial conditions in the resolution of partial differential equations. We finally attempt to extend the proposed theory to the domain of the relativistic quantum mechanics. It is promising but is clearly unfinished because it has not been possible up to now to solve the Nelson and Kolmogorov equations, except in the very simple case of a free particle.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1206.2917

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I Markov Processes.- 1.1 Classical Mechanics.- 1.2 Movement of a Particle with Noise.- 1.3 Transition Probability and the Markov Property.- 1.4 Diffusion Equations.- 1.5 Brownian Motions.- 1.6 The Ito formula.- Appendix. Monotone Lemmas.- II Time Reversal and Duality.- 2.1 Time Reversal of Markov Processes and Duality.- 2.2 Space-Time Markov Processes and Space-Time Duality.- 2.3 Time Reversal and Schroedinger's Representation.- III Non-Relativistic Quantum Theory.- 3.1 Non-Relativistic Equation of Motion.- 3.2 Stationary States and Eigenvalue Problem.- 3.3 Time Reversal of Diffusion Processes.- 3.4 Duality Relation of Diffusion Processes.- 3.5 Equation of Motion in General Cases.- 3.6 Principle of Superposition of Markov Processes.- 3.7 Non-Relativistic Schroedinger Equation.- 3.8 State Preparations and Measurements.- 3.9 Diffusion or Schroedinger Equations ?.- 3.10 The First Technical Convention.- IV Stationary Schroedinger Processes.- 4.1 Stationary States.- 4.2 One-Dimensional Harmonic Oscillator.- 4.3 An Example in Two-Dimension.- 4.4 Superposition of Eigenfunctions.- 4.5 Further Excited States.- 4.6 Hydrogen Atom.- V Construction of the Schroedinger Processes.- 5.1 The Feynman-Kac Formula.- 5.2 Solving the Equation of Motion.- 5.3 Transformation by Multiplicative Functionals.- 5.4 Renormalization.- 5.5 A Variational Method.- 5.6 The Maruyama-Girsanov Formula.- 5.7 A Lagrangian Formulation.- 5.8 The Second Technical Convention.- VI Markov Processes with Jumps.- 6.1 Poisson and Compound Poisson Processes.- 6.2 Poisson Random measures and Point Processes.- 6.3 Stochastic Integrals with Poisson Point Processes.- 6.4 Levy Processes.- 6.5 Stable Processes.- 6.6 Bochner's Subordination.- 6.7 Duality of Subordinate Semi-Groups.- 6.8 Harmonic Transformation of Subordinate Semi-Groups.- 6.9 Duality of Fractional Powers of Time-Dependent Operators.- VII Relativistic Quantum Particles.- 7.1 A Relativistic Schroedinger Equation for a Spinless Paticle.- 7.2 Equation of Motion for Relativistic Quantum Particles.- 7.3 Stationary States of the Relativistic Schroedinger Equation.- 7.4 Stochastic Processes for Relativistic Spinless Particles.- 7.5 Non-Relativistic Limit.- 7.6 A Diffusion Approximation.- VIII Stochastic Differential Equations of Pure-Jumps.- 8.1 Markov Processes with the Generators of Fractional Power.- 8.2 Stochastic Differential Equations of Pure-Jumps.- 8.3 The Case with no Potential Term.- 8.4 To Solve the Stochastic Differential Equations of Pure-Jumps.- 8.5 To Construct Pure-Jump Markov Processes.- 8.6 A Remark on the Integrability Condition.- IX Variational Principle for Relativistic Quantum Particles.- 9.1 Absolute Continuity.- 9.2 Pure-Jump Markov Processes.- 9.3 A Multiplicative Functional.- 9.4 Renormalization and Variational Principle.- X Time Dependent Subordination and Markov Processes with Jumps.- 10.1 Time-Inhomogeneous Subordination.- 10.2 Lemmas.- 10.3 Stochastic Differential Equation with Jumps.- 10.4 A Formula of Feynman-Kac Type.- 10.5 Markov Processes with Jumps.- Appendix. Integration by Parts Formulae.- XI Concave Majorants of Levy Processes and the Light Cone.- 14.1 The Vertex Process of a Levy Process.- 14.2 Propositions on Random walks.- 14.3 Proof of Propositions on Random Walks.- 14.4 Proof of the main Theorems.- 14.5 Examples.- 14.6 The light Cone.- XII The Locality in Quantum Physics.- 12.1 Historical Overview.- 12.2 Hidden-Variable Theories.- 12.3 Locality of Hidden-Variable Theories.- 12.4 Spin-Correlation of Three Particles.- 12.5 Gudder's Hidden-Variable Theory.- 12.6 Spin-Correlations in Gudder's Theory.- 12.7 Some Remarks.- XIII Micro Statistical Theory.- 13.1 The Source of the Noise.- 13.2 Large Deviations of the Renormalized Processes.- 13.3 The Propagation of Chaos.- 13.4 Micro Statistical Mechanics.- 13.5 Propagation of Chaos of Pure-Jump Processes.- 13.6 Superposition of Movements.- 12.7 A Remark on the Gibbs Distribution.- XIV Processes on Open Time Intervals.- 14.1 Diffusion Processes on Open Time Intervals.- 14.2 Time-Reversed Schroedinger Processes.- 14.3 A Theorem of Jeulin-Yor.- 14.4 Reflecting Brownian Motion.- 14.5 Two-Sided Skorokhod Type Problem.- 14.6 Skorokhod Problem with Singular Drift.- 14.7 The Minimum and Maximum Solutions.- 14.8 The Uniqueness and Non-Uniqueness of Solutions.- 14.9 An Application: The Origin of Universes.- XV Creation and Killing of Particles.- 15.1 Non-Linear Differential Equations.- 15.2 Branching Markov Processes.- 15.3 The Expected Number of Particles.- 15.4 Killing.- XVI The lto Calculus.- 16.1 The Ito Integral.- 16.2 Martingales.- 16.3 The Ito Integral with Local Martingales.- 16.4 Ito's formula.- 16.5 Stochastic Differential Equations.- 16.6 Stochastic Differential Calculus.- References.

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The stochastic theory of non-relativistic quantum mechanics presented here relies heavily upon the theory of stochastic processes, with its definitions, theorems and specific vocabulary as well. Its main hypothesis states indeed that the classical trajectories of the particles are identical to the sample functions of a diffusion Markov process, whose conditional probability density is proposed as a substitute for the wave function. The Schroedinger equation and the so-called Nelson equations are used to determine the diffusion tensor and the drift vectors characteristic of such a process. It is then possible to write down the forward and backward Kolmogorov equations that are used to determine the conditional probability density, as well as the Fokker-Planck equation that is used to determine the normal probability density. This method is applied to several simple cases and the results obtained are compared with those of the orthodox theory. Among the most important differences let us mention that any system evolving freely from any original state returns spontaneously to its ground state, that the definitions of the particles velocities and momenta are impossible because the sample functions of a diffusion Markov process nowhere possess a derivative with respect to time and that the so-called collapse of the wave function is a mere mirage explained by the updating choice between new and older initial conditions in the resolution of partial differential equations. We finally attempt to extend the proposed theory to the domain of the relativistic quantum mechanics. It is promising but is clearly unfinished because it has not been possible up to now to solve the Nelson and Kolmogorov equations, except in the very simple case of a free particle.
The stochastic theory of relativistic quantum mechanics presented here is modelled on the one that has been proposed previously and that was claimed to be a promising substitute to the orthodox theory in the non-relativistic domain. So it also relies heavily upon the theory of stochastic processes, with its definitions, theorems and specific vocabulary as well. Its main hypothesis states indeed that the classical trajectories of the particles are identical to the sample functions of a diffusion Markov process, whose conditional probability density is proposed as a substitute for the wave function. Along the way, we introduce ad hoc hypotheses for the sole reason that they facilitate and even make possible the further development of the theory. These and the so-called Nelson equations are used to determine the drift vectors and the diffusion tensor characteristic of such a process. It is then possible to write down the Fokker-Planck and Kolmogorov equations that can be used to determine the normal and conditional probability densities. This logical sequence of steps leads to the solution of specific problems and we apply it to the special case of the free particle.
This paper proposes an interpretation of quantum mechanics, relying on the time-symmetric stochastic dynamics of quantum particles and on non-classical probability theory. Our main purpose is to demonstrate that the wave function and its complex conjugate can be interpreted as complex probability distributions in two complex diffusion equations related to non-real forward and backward in time stochastic motions respectively. We say non-real because Schroedinger forward and backward diffusions describe both reversible (real trajectories) and irreversible trajectories (non-real trajectories). The reversible trajectories are the only real trajectories and are given by the intersection of those forward and backward processes. It turns out that if we translate this intersection using set-theoretic language, we are led to a reversible diffusion described by Born rule probabilities. This proposal is useful also for explaining more about the role of complex numbers in quantum mechanics that produces this so-called "wave-like" nature of quantum reality. Our perspective also challenges the notion of physical superposition and aims at a derivation of superposition principle not based on the linearity of Schroedinger's equation but relying on pure probability theory. Moreover, it is suggested that, embracing the idea of stochastic processes in quantum theory, explains the reasons for the appearance of classical behavior in large objects, in contrast to the quantum behavior of small ones. In other words, we claim that a combination of a probabilistic and no-ontic view (neither epistemic though) of the wave function with a stochastic hidden-variables approach, may provide some insight into the quantum physical reality and potentially establish the groundwork for a novel interpretation of quantum mechanics.
A type of mechanics will be presented that possesses some distinctive properties. On the one hand, its physical description & rules of operation are readily comprehensible & intuitively clear. On the other, it fully satisfies all observable predictions of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Within it, particles exist at points in space, follow continuous, piecewise differentiable paths, and their linear momentum is equal to their mass times their velocity along their path. Yet the probabilities for position and momentum, conditioned on the state of the particle's environment, follow the rules of quantum theory. Indeed, all observable consequences of quantum theory are satisfied; particles can be entangled, have intrinsic spin, this spin is not local to the particle, particle identity can effect probabilities, and so forth. All the rules of quantum mechanics are obeyed, and all arise in a straightforward fashion. After this is established, connections will be drawn out between this type of mechanics and other types of quantum worlds; those that obey Bohmian mechanics, stochastic mechanics, the many worlds interpretation, and physical collapse. In the final section, a relativistic version of the mechanics will be presented.
I Markov Processes.- 1.1 Classical Mechanics.- 1.2 Movement of a Particle with Noise.- 1.3 Transition Probability and the Markov Property.- 1.4 Diffusion Equations.- 1.5 Brownian Motions.- 1.6 The Ito formula.- Appendix. Monotone Lemmas.- II Time Reversal and Duality.- 2.1 Time Reversal of Markov Processes and Duality.- 2.2 Space-Time Markov Processes and Space-Time Duality.- 2.3 Time Reversal and Schroedinger's Representation.- III Non-Relativistic Quantum Theory.- 3.1 Non-Relativistic Equation of Motion.- 3.2 Stationary States and Eigenvalue Problem.- 3.3 Time Reversal of Diffusion Processes.- 3.4 Duality Relation of Diffusion Processes.- 3.5 Equation of Motion in General Cases.- 3.6 Principle of Superposition of Markov Processes.- 3.7 Non-Relativistic Schroedinger Equation.- 3.8 State Preparations and Measurements.- 3.9 Diffusion or Schroedinger Equations ?.- 3.10 The First Technical Convention.- IV Stationary Schroedinger Processes.- 4.1 Stationary States.- 4.2 One-Dimensional Harmonic Oscillator.- 4.3 An Example in Two-Dimension.- 4.4 Superposition of Eigenfunctions.- 4.5 Further Excited States.- 4.6 Hydrogen Atom.- V Construction of the Schroedinger Processes.- 5.1 The Feynman-Kac Formula.- 5.2 Solving the Equation of Motion.- 5.3 Transformation by Multiplicative Functionals.- 5.4 Renormalization.- 5.5 A Variational Method.- 5.6 The Maruyama-Girsanov Formula.- 5.7 A Lagrangian Formulation.- 5.8 The Second Technical Convention.- VI Markov Processes with Jumps.- 6.1 Poisson and Compound Poisson Processes.- 6.2 Poisson Random measures and Point Processes.- 6.3 Stochastic Integrals with Poisson Point Processes.- 6.4 Levy Processes.- 6.5 Stable Processes.- 6.6 Bochner's Subordination.- 6.7 Duality of Subordinate Semi-Groups.- 6.8 Harmonic Transformation of Subordinate Semi-Groups.- 6.9 Duality of Fractional Powers of Time-Dependent Operators.- VII Relativistic Quantum Particles.- 7.1 A Relativistic Schroedinger Equation for a Spinless Paticle.- 7.2 Equation of Motion for Relativistic Quantum Particles.- 7.3 Stationary States of the Relativistic Schroedinger Equation.- 7.4 Stochastic Processes for Relativistic Spinless Particles.- 7.5 Non-Relativistic Limit.- 7.6 A Diffusion Approximation.- VIII Stochastic Differential Equations of Pure-Jumps.- 8.1 Markov Processes with the Generators of Fractional Power.- 8.2 Stochastic Differential Equations of Pure-Jumps.- 8.3 The Case with no Potential Term.- 8.4 To Solve the Stochastic Differential Equations of Pure-Jumps.- 8.5 To Construct Pure-Jump Markov Processes.- 8.6 A Remark on the Integrability Condition.- IX Variational Principle for Relativistic Quantum Particles.- 9.1 Absolute Continuity.- 9.2 Pure-Jump Markov Processes.- 9.3 A Multiplicative Functional.- 9.4 Renormalization and Variational Principle.- X Time Dependent Subordination and Markov Processes with Jumps.- 10.1 Time-Inhomogeneous Subordination.- 10.2 Lemmas.- 10.3 Stochastic Differential Equation with Jumps.- 10.4 A Formula of Feynman-Kac Type.- 10.5 Markov Processes with Jumps.- Appendix. Integration by Parts Formulae.- XI Concave Majorants of Levy Processes and the Light Cone.- 14.1 The Vertex Process of a Levy Process.- 14.2 Propositions on Random walks.- 14.3 Proof of Propositions on Random Walks.- 14.4 Proof of the main Theorems.- 14.5 Examples.- 14.6 The light Cone.- XII The Locality in Quantum Physics.- 12.1 Historical Overview.- 12.2 Hidden-Variable Theories.- 12.3 Locality of Hidden-Variable Theories.- 12.4 Spin-Correlation of Three Particles.- 12.5 Gudder's Hidden-Variable Theory.- 12.6 Spin-Correlations in Gudder's Theory.- 12.7 Some Remarks.- XIII Micro Statistical Theory.- 13.1 The Source of the Noise.- 13.2 Large Deviations of the Renormalized Processes.- 13.3 The Propagation of Chaos.- 13.4 Micro Statistical Mechanics.- 13.5 Propagation of Chaos of Pure-Jump Processes.- 13.6 Superposition of Movements.- 12.7 A Remark on the Gibbs Distribution.- XIV Processes on Open Time Intervals.- 14.1 Diffusion Processes on Open Time Intervals.- 14.2 Time-Reversed Schroedinger Processes.- 14.3 A Theorem of Jeulin-Yor.- 14.4 Reflecting Brownian Motion.- 14.5 Two-Sided Skorokhod Type Problem.- 14.6 Skorokhod Problem with Singular Drift.- 14.7 The Minimum and Maximum Solutions.- 14.8 The Uniqueness and Non-Uniqueness of Solutions.- 14.9 An Application: The Origin of Universes.- XV Creation and Killing of Particles.- 15.1 Non-Linear Differential Equations.- 15.2 Branching Markov Processes.- 15.3 The Expected Number of Particles.- 15.4 Killing.- XVI The lto Calculus.- 16.1 The Ito Integral.- 16.2 Martingales.- 16.3 The Ito Integral with Local Martingales.- 16.4 Ito's formula.- 16.5 Stochastic Differential Equations.- 16.6 Stochastic Differential Calculus.- References.
We have advocated in a previous paper (Godart M. arXiv: 1206.2917v2[quant-ph] ) a version of the stochastic theory of quantum mechanics. It is indirectly based on a method proposed by Nelson to associate a Markov process with any solution of the Schroedinger equation. The debate began very soon on the question to know if the new theory based on that stochastic procees was equivalent to the orthodox Copenhagen version. We conclude in this paper that the answer is in the negative in agreement with the opinion of several physicists. We show however that the elementary solutions of the Schroedinger equation can be recovered formally from the stochastic theory in a great number of particular cases. We confirm also that this equation is no longer valid when a magnetic field is at work and that it must then give way to some other equation.
Nelson's programme for a stochastic mechanics aims to derive the wave function and the Schroedinger equation from natural conditions on a diffusion process in configuration space. If successful, this pro- gramme might have some advantages over the better-known determin- istic pilot-wave theory of de Broglie and Bohm. The essential points of Nelson's strategy are reviewed, with particular emphasis on concep- tual issues relating to the role of time symmetry. The main problem in Nelson's approach is the lack of strict equivalence between the cou- pled Madelung equations and the Schroedinger equation. After a brief discussion, the paper concludes with a possible suggestion for trying to overcome this problem.