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arXiv:1412.1508

Stochastic Theory of Relativistic Quantum Mechanics

M. Godart

Published Dec 3, 2014• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1412.1508

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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.
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 new scheme of stochastic quantization is proposed. This quantization procedure is equivalent to the deformation of an algebra of observables in the manner of deformation quantization with an imaginary deformation parameter (the Planck constant). We apply this method to the models of nonrelativistic and relativistic particles interacting with an electromagnetic field. In the first case we establish the equivalence of such a quantization to the Fokker-Planck equation with a special force. The application of the proposed quantization procedure to the model of a relativistic particle results in a relativistic generalization of the Fokker-Planck equation in the coordinate space, which in the absence of the electromagnetic field reduces to the relativistic diffusion (heat) equation. The stationary probability distribution functions for a stochastically quantized particle diffusing under a barrier and a particle in the potential of a harmonic oscillator are derived.
Given a positive energy solution of the Klein–Gordon equation, the motion of the free, spinless, relativistic particle is described in a fixed Lorentz frame by a Markov diffusion process with nonconstant diffusion coefficient. Proper time is an increasing stochastic process and we derive a probabilistic generalization of the equation (dτ)2=−(1/c2)dXν dXν. A random time-change transformation provides the bridge between the t and the τ domain. In the τ domain, we obtain an M4-valued Markov process with singular and constant diffusion coefficient. The square modulus of the Klein–Gordon solution is an invariant, nonintegrable density for this Markov process. It satisfies a relativistically covariant continuity equation.
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.
Among the famous formulations of quantum mechanics, the stochastic picture developed since the middle of the last century remains one of the less known ones. It is possible to describe quantum mechanical systems with kinetic equations of motion in configuration space based on conservative diffusion processes. This leads to the representation of physical observables through stochastic processes instead of self-adjoint operators. The mathematical foundations of this approach were laid by Edward Nelson in 1966. It allows a different perspective on quantum phenomena without necessarily using the wave-function. This article recaps the development of stochastic mechanics with a focus on variational and extremal principles. Furthermore, based on recent developments of optimal control theory, the derivation of generalized canonical equations of motion for quantum systems within the stochastic picture are discussed. These so-called quantum Hamilton equations add another layer to the different formalisms from classical mechanics that find their counterpart in quantum mechanics.
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.