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Журнал Экспериментальной и Теоретической Физики

A SPACE-TIME APPROACH TO THE QUANTUM FIELD THEORY

G. V. Ryazanov

Published Oct 1, 1962• 49 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

An attempt is made to replace the quantum field theory by trajectory statistics with changing direction of time. The general expression for quantum- mechanical probabilities is supplemented by arguments concerning the character of random particie motion along trajectories with changing direction of time. The wave properties of micro-particles follow almost automatically from the notion of particles capable of moving both forwards and backwards in time. In this connection, the possibility is discussed of constructing a quanturfl field theory on the basis of a smali number of simple postulates. (auth)

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We consider the motion of a classical particle in (1+1)-dimensional space-time. Four probability distributions govern the trajectory of the particle; these give the probability of moving to the left or right in space while moving backwards or forwards in time. If these probabilities are randomly distributed and if the probability of moving backwards in time is related to the probability of moving forwards in time in a prescribed manner, then the master equations for these probabilities give rise to the Dirac equation without recourse to direct analytic continuation. In contrast, when a particle always moves forward in time, an analytic continuation is required to recover the Dirac equation.

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QFT AS PILOT-WAVE THEORY OF PARTICLE CREATION AND DESTRUCTION

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States in quantum field theory (QFT) are represented by many-particle wave functions, such that a state describing n particles depends on n space–time positions. Since a general state is a superposition of states with different numbers of particles, the wave function lives in the configuration space identified with a product of an infinite number of four-dimensional Minkowski space–times. The squared absolute value of the wave function is interpreted as the probability density in the configuration space, from which the standard probabilistic predictions of QFT can be recovered. Such a formulation and probabilistic interpretation of QFT allows one to interpret the wave function as a pilot wave that describes deterministic particle trajectories, which automatically includes a deterministic and continuous description of particle creation and destruction. In particular, when the conditional wave function associated with a quantum measurement ceases to depend on one of the space–time coordinates, then the 4-velocity of the corresponding particle vanishes, describing a trajectory that stops at a particular point in space–time. In a more general situation a dependence on this space–time coordinate is negligibly small but not strictly zero, in which case the trajectory does not stop but the measuring apparatus still behaves as if this particle has been destroyed.

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THE INTERPRETATION OF QUANTUM MECHANICS. THE CASE OF THE RELATIVISTIC VELOCITY OF A PARTICLE WITHOUT SPIN

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Any particular form of mechanics (e.g. classical or quantum) makes use of a particular ‘formalism’ or set of rules governing the use of the symbols representing dynamical variables and the symbols (such as +, =) representing relations between dynamical variables. In the present paper an attempt is made to examine the physical content of this formalism, particularly that of quantum mechanics. This is done by building up a formalism as the direct expression of a number of physical postulates having direct operational meaning. It is shown that, in a simple case, with any two observables A and B can be associated a unique sum observable A + B and a unique (real) symmetric product observable A.B (= B.A). It is next shown that, if, like a classical Hamiltonian system, the system has the property that the time rate of change of an observable depends linearly on some observable H when the environment in which the system moves is varied, then a (real) skew product observable A × B (= − B × A) can be defined. Finally, if the equations of motion are ‘of second order', it is possible to express the second rate of change of any observable as an algebraic function of that observable and H. This leads to algebraic identities from which it follows that ‘complex multiplication’, defined by AB = A.B + iA × B, is associative (but not commutative). Observables are thus shown to possess the properties usually ascribed to them in quantum mechanics. These properties make possible a representation by Hermitian matrices.

Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society•Jun 1, 1945•2 citations
An attempt is made to replace the quantum field theory by trajectory statistics with changing direction of time. The general expression for quantum- mechanical probabilities is supplemented by arguments concerning the character of random particie motion along trajectories with changing direction of time. The wave properties of micro-particles follow almost automatically from the notion of particles capable of moving both forwards and backwards in time. In this connection, the possibility is discussed of constructing a quanturfl field theory on the basis of a smali number of simple postulates. (auth)
We consider the motion of a classical particle in (1+1)-dimensional space-time. Four probability distributions govern the trajectory of the particle; these give the probability of moving to the left or right in space while moving backwards or forwards in time. If these probabilities are randomly distributed and if the probability of moving backwards in time is related to the probability of moving forwards in time in a prescribed manner, then the master equations for these probabilities give rise to the Dirac equation without recourse to direct analytic continuation. In contrast, when a particle always moves forward in time, an analytic continuation is required to recover the Dirac equation.
States in quantum field theory (QFT) are represented by many-particle wave functions, such that a state describing n particles depends on n space–time positions. Since a general state is a superposition of states with different numbers of particles, the wave function lives in the configuration space identified with a product of an infinite number of four-dimensional Minkowski space–times. The squared absolute value of the wave function is interpreted as the probability density in the configuration space, from which the standard probabilistic predictions of QFT can be recovered. Such a formulation and probabilistic interpretation of QFT allows one to interpret the wave function as a pilot wave that describes deterministic particle trajectories, which automatically includes a deterministic and continuous description of particle creation and destruction. In particular, when the conditional wave function associated with a quantum measurement ceases to depend on one of the space–time coordinates, then the 4-velocity of the corresponding particle vanishes, describing a trajectory that stops at a particular point in space–time. In a more general situation a dependence on this space–time coordinate is negligibly small but not strictly zero, in which case the trajectory does not stop but the measuring apparatus still behaves as if this particle has been destroyed.
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.
Non-relativistic quantum mechanics is formulated here in a different way. It is, however, mathematically equivalent to the familiar formulation. In quantum mechanics the probability of an event which can happen in several different ways is the absolute square of a sum of complex contributions, one from each alternative way. The probability that a particle will be found to have a path x(t)x(t)x(t) lying somewhere within a region of space time is the square of a sum of contributions, one from each path in the region. The contribution from a single path is postulated to be an exponential whose (imaginary) phase is the classical action (in units of $\ensuremath{\hbar}$) for the path in question. The total contribution from all paths reaching xxx, ttt from the past is the wave function $\ensuremath{\psi}(x, t)$. This is shown to satisfy Schroedinger's equation. The relation to matrix and operator algebra is discussed. Applications are indicated, in particular to eliminate the coordinates of the field oscillators from the equations of quantum electrodynamics.
Any particular form of mechanics (e.g. classical or quantum) makes use of a particular ‘formalism’ or set of rules governing the use of the symbols representing dynamical variables and the symbols (such as +, =) representing relations between dynamical variables. In the present paper an attempt is made to examine the physical content of this formalism, particularly that of quantum mechanics. This is done by building up a formalism as the direct expression of a number of physical postulates having direct operational meaning. It is shown that, in a simple case, with any two observables A and B can be associated a unique sum observable A + B and a unique (real) symmetric product observable A.B (= B.A). It is next shown that, if, like a classical Hamiltonian system, the system has the property that the time rate of change of an observable depends linearly on some observable H when the environment in which the system moves is varied, then a (real) skew product observable A × B (= − B × A) can be defined. Finally, if the equations of motion are ‘of second order', it is possible to express the second rate of change of any observable as an algebraic function of that observable and H. This leads to algebraic identities from which it follows that ‘complex multiplication’, defined by AB = A.B + iA × B, is associative (but not commutative). Observables are thus shown to possess the properties usually ascribed to them in quantum mechanics. These properties make possible a representation by Hermitian matrices.