On the wave function of a quantum fluid in a force field

V.V. Komarov, Anna M. Popova, Vladimir Leonidovich Shablov

Agus Budiyono, Ken Umeno

We consider spatially two-dimensional Madelung fluid whose irrotational motion reduces into the Schr\"odinger equation for a single free particle. In this respect, we regard the former as a direct generalization of the latter, allowing a rotational quantum flow. We then ask for the most likely wave function possessing a given average energy by maximizing the Shannon information entropy over the quantum probability density. We show that there exists a class of solutions in which the wave function is self-trapped, rotationally symmetric, spatially localized with finite support, and spinning around its center, yet stationary. The stationarity comes from the balance between the attractive quantum force field of a trapping quantum potential generated by quantum probability density and the repulsive centrifugal force of a rotating velocity vector field. We further show that there is a limiting case where the wave function is nonspinning and yet still stationary. This special state turns out to be the lowest stationary state of the ordinary Schr\"odinger equation for a particle in a cylindrical tube external classical potential.

F. Selleri

Laurent Nottale A

We have recently proposed a new general concept of macroscopic quantum-type experiment. It amounts to transform a classical fluid into a quantum-type fluid by the application of a quantum-like potential, either directly in a stationary configuration, or through a retro-active loop to simulate the time evolution. In this framework, the amplitude of the quantum potential depends on a macroscopic generalization of the Planck constant, which can be changed during the experiment, therefore simulating a quantum to classical transition. The experiment is exemplified here by an application of this concept to gravity waves at the surface of an incompressible liquid in a basin of finite height, with particular emphasis on the quantized vortex. We construct a complex wave function with the height of the fluid in the basin as its square modulus and the velocity potential as its phase. This wave function is solution of a nonlinear Schrodinger equation typical of superfluids. The quantum potential is therefore defined here in terms of the square root of the fluid height. We suggest two methods for applying this quantum-like potential to the fluid: (i) by the action of a force on the surface (wind, blower, pressure, field, etc...); (ii) by a curvature of the basin ground. In this last case the ground profile yields the quantum potential itself, while usually only the quantum force is accessible, so that such an experiment is expected to provide one with a macroscopic model of a quantum-type vacuum energy. These results may also be relevant to the study of freak waves, which have already been described by nonlinear Schrodinger equations.

Nicolas Perez, Eyal Heifetz

Abstract We revisit the quantum dynamics of a charged particle in a time-dependent magnetic field, a fundamental problem exhibiting rich non-adiabatic behaviour, from the complementary perspective of the Madelung fluid formulation. We first analyse the system within standard quantum mechanics using perturbation theory around the Landau levels, and then address the same problem through the Madelung perspective. We show that the hydrodynamic formulation not only yields an intuitive derivation of the exact solution, it also provides a clear physical interpretation of non-adiabatic quantum evolution in terms of mechanical energy transfers. In this picture, the sloshing oscillations of the wave function arise from deviations from the force balance between the magnetic Lorentz force and the gradient of the Bohm potential within the Landau levels. More broadly, our study illustrates how the Madelung approach reveals unexpected analogies between quantum dynamics and phenomena familiar from geophysical fluid dynamics.

Chia‐Liang Lin, Tsu-Hsu Yen