The quantum mechanics status of the probability vector current density has long seemed to be marginal. On one hand no systematic prescription for its construction is provided, and the special examples of it that are obtained for particular types of Hamiltonian operator could conceivably be attributed to happenstance. On the other hand this concept's key physical interpretation as local average particle flux, which flows from the equation of continuity that it is supposed to satisfy in conjunction with the probability scalar density, has been claimed to breach the uncertainty principle. Given the dispiriting impact of that claim, we straightaway point out that the subtle directional nature of the uncertainty principle makes it consistent with the measurement of local average particle flux. We next focus on the fact that the unique closed-form linear-superposition quantization of any classical Hamiltonian function yields in tandem the corresponding unique linear-superposition closed-form divergence of the probability vector current density. Because the probability vector current density is linked to the quantum physics only through the occurrence of its divergence in the equation of continuity, it is theoretically most appropriate to construct this vector field exclusively from its divergence -- analysis of the best-known "textbook" special example of a probability vector current density shows that it is thus constructed. That special example in fact leads to the physically interesting "Ehrenfest subclass" of probability vector current densities, which are closely related to their classical peers.
The quantum mechanics status of the probability vector current density has long seemed to be marginal. On one hand no systematic prescription for its construction is provided, and the special examples of it that are obtained for particular types of Hamiltonian operator could conceivably be attributed to happenstance. On the other hand this concept's key physical interpretation as local average particle flux, which flows from the equation of continuity that it is supposed to satisfy in conjunction with the probability scalar density, has been claimed to breach the uncertainty principle. Given the dispiriting impact of that claim, we straightaway point out that the subtle directional nature of the uncertainty principle makes it consistent with the measurement of local average particle flux. We next focus on the fact that the unique closed-form linear-superposition quantization of any classical Hamiltonian function yields in tandem the corresponding unique linear-superposition closed-form divergence of the probability vector current density. Because the probability vector current density is linked to the quantum physics only through the occurrence of its divergence in the equation of continuity, it is theoretically most appropriate to construct this vector field exclusively from its divergence -- analysis of the best-known "textbook" special example of a probability vector current density shows that it is thus constructed. That special example in fact leads to the physically interesting "Ehrenfest subclass" of probability vector current densities, which are closely related to their classical peers.
This chapter introduces an elementary form of the fundamental axioms of quantum mechanics, focusing on the structure and interpretation of state functions within a vector space framework. The properties of linear operators acting on state functions are explored, along with the physical meaning of the state function itself. From this interpretation, boundary conditions and normalization requirements are derived. The chapter presents key results such as the normalization theorem, the time derivative of a physical observable, and Ehrenfest's theorem. It also defines probability density and probability current density, deriving the continuity equation for probability. The uncertainty principle is formally established, and energy conservation is addressed. The eigenvalues and eigenstates of the momentum operator are determined, and normalization using the Dirac delta function is introduced. The free particle wavefunction is derived, concluding with a discussion on the classical limit of quantum mechanics. Metadata/Keywords: quantum axioms, state function, linear operators, probability density, probability current, Ehrenfest's theorem, uncertainty principle, Dirac delta function, momentum eigenstates, classical limit
In this work, we start from the problem of quantizing the relativistic Hamiltonian of a free massive particle (rest mass different from 0), a problem exceptionally difficult in the standard approaches to quantum mechanics. In fact, in tempered distribution state space, we find the natural way to define the relativistic Hamiltonian operator and its associated Schrödinger equation The existence of a linear continuous Hermitian operator associated with the Einstein's Hamiltonian of a free particle, defined on the entire tempered distribution space, automatically implies the conservation of Born probability flux (which doesn't mean the conservation of particles number, rather it implies the conservation of the total relativistic energy of the solution wave). We, then, deduce the continuity equation for the Born probability density and study some its different (but equivalent) expressions. We determine some possible forms of probability currents and flux velocity fields associated with the particle evolution. We provide the relativistic invariant expression for both Schrödinger equation and probability flux continuity equations.
We present systematic construction of probability and probability current densities operators for one-band single particle Pauli equations starting from the operators in Dirac electron model within Second Quantized Approach. These operators are of importance as in probability interpretation of experimental data, so in establishing of boundary conditions. It is shown that derived operators differ significally from their convential Schrodinger-type counterparts. The generalization of continuity equation for probability density under external perturbations and physical meaning of additional source terms is discussed. The presented approach can be useful in analysis of carriers dynamics described within generic multicomponent k⋅p Hamiltonians in Envelope Function Approximation (EFA).
Discrete approaches have long been used in numerical modelling of physical systems in both research and teaching. Discrete versions of the Schrödinger equation employing either one or several basis functions per mesh point are often used by senior undergraduates and beginning graduate students in computational physics projects. In studying discrete models, students can encounter conceptual difficulties with the representation of the current and its divergence because different finite-difference expressions, all of which reduce to the current density in the continuous limit, measure different physical quantities. Understanding these different discrete currents is essential and requires a careful analysis of the current operator, the divergence of the current and the continuity equation. Here we develop point forms of the current and its divergence valid for an arbitrary mesh and basis. We show that in discrete models currents exist only along lines joining atomic sites (or mesh points). Using these results, we derive a discrete analogue of the divergence theorem and demonstrate probability conservation in a purely localized-basis approach.
This thesis concerns quantum states that are superpositions of discrete or of continuum energy levels. It develops mathematical methods to characterize the physical properties of these states and finds important consequences. Regarding rational extensions of the harmonic oscillator, no other authors had constructed the coherent states associated with the ladder operators of Marquette and Quesne. It was our aim to proceed with this construction, then to calculate physical properties of these coherent states, looking for classical or quantum behaviour. The method of partial wave analysis was known to be not applicable to the Coulomb potential for the scattering of plane waves. It was my aim to repeat the calculation for wavepacket scattering, to investigate whether the method became applicable. Other authors have constructed relativistic probability amplitudes and compared them to the scalar Klein-Gordon amplitude. In this context, it was my aim to question the conclusion of a minimum width for a massive particle. In the same context, I investigated the possibility of a four-vector probability current with the Newton-Wigner position probability density as the zero component. In Chapter 12, my aim was to construct a measure of localization for the photon, knowing from the work of other authors that a point-localized photon state is not possible.In Chapters 3, 4 and 5, our measures of classicality for the Barut-Girardello coherent states included plotting energy expectations as functions of the magnitude of the coherent state para- meter, z, position probability densities for the coherent states and the even and odd cat states, the Wigner functions for particular choices of z, the two-photon number probability distribu- tion and the linear entropy for a coherent state on a beamsplitter, position spreads to look for squeezing and the Mandel Q parameter. In Chapter 6, it was necessary to approximate an integral containing a particular Wigner rotation matrix. An approximation of general Wigner rotation matrices, at low angle, was derived and its precision evaluated numerically in Chapter 7. The exact values for the Coulomb phase shifts were used to construct the incoming wavefunction. Time reversal and a rotation were used to construct the outgoing wavefunction. The sums over l were evaluated numerically. In Chapter 10, four arguments were used against the minimum width. Comparison of the scalar amplitude and the relativistic probability amplitude for a Newton-Wigner localized state showed the root of the problem. A Lorentz transformation was applied to the scalar function to see if the “minimum” width became even smaller. A simple construction produced scalar functions with arbitrarily small widths. A relevant argument from Almeida and Jabs was included here. In Chapter 11, the algebra involving the four components of a four-vector current (at the origin) and the boost generators was derived. All of these commutators must be satisfied by a four-vector, providing a test for the claimed four-vector probability currents of other authors. In Chapter 12, field expectations were taken in a coherent state with a mean photon number of unity, built from identical single-photon states.In Chapters 3, 4 and 5, we found a mix of classical and quantum behaviour for the coherent states. In none of the systems studied did we see the high degree of classicality of the unmodified harmonic oscillator. The investigation of cat states was relevant to the fundamental problem of measurement in quantum mechanics. In Chapter 6, the use of wavepackets introduced a convergence factor into the sum over l, which diverges in the plane wave treatment. The elimination of a divergence is the most significant result of this thesis. Scattering probabilities remained finite at all angles, in disagreement with the diverging Rutherford formula, but only on small angular regions around forward scattering. Future work will investigate the measurability of the phenomena predicted here. In Chapter 10, all four arguments pointed to no minimum width for a massive particle. In Chapter 11, it was found that there can be no four-vector current density with the Newton-Wigner position probability density as the zero component, for any spin. Other authors were found to be in error when they claimed to have produced such a four-vector current density. This result strengthens the position of the Dirac current as the appropriate current for an electron. In Chapter 12, the coherent state field expectations were found to provide a meaningful measure of localization. In summary, wavepackets give a realism to the description of a scattering experiment that is absent with the use of plane waves. Phenomena not captured by the plane wave scattering amplitude, such as time delays, are calculable in the wavepacket context. Relativistic probability amplitudes provide a complete description of free particles, consistent with quantum mechanics and with special relativity. They predict agreement with the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and relativistic effects such as Lorentz contraction. The absence of relativistic probability amplitudes from standard textbooks on relativistic quantum mechanics is a serious omission.