In the lattice Schrödinger picture, we find the de Broglie–Bohm quantum trajectories for the eigenstates of a generically coupled free real scalar field in de Sitter space. For the massless minimally coupled scalar field which has exact quantum trajectory, we evaluate both the time evolution of vacuum state and the possible effects of initial quantum nonequilibrium on the power spectrum of the primordial inflaton and curvature fluctuations in the slow-roll approximation. We reproduce the results that were already presented by Valentini who considered only the massless minimal coupling case. In addition we cover both massive minimal and massive non-minimal coupling cases which are the extension of Valentini's work. Finally we discuss the difference between de Broglie's first-order dynamics and Bohm's second-order dynamics in finding the quantum trajectories.
In the lattice Schrödinger picture, we find the de Broglie–Bohm quantum trajectories for the eigenstates of a generically coupled free real scalar field in de Sitter space. For the massless minimally coupled scalar field which has exact quantum trajectory, we evaluate both the time evolution of vacuum state and the possible effects of initial quantum nonequilibrium on the power spectrum of the primordial inflaton and curvature fluctuations in the slow-roll approximation. We reproduce the results that were already presented by Valentini who considered only the massless minimal coupling case. In addition we cover both massive minimal and massive non-minimal coupling cases which are the extension of Valentini's work. Finally we discuss the difference between de Broglie's first-order dynamics and Bohm's second-order dynamics in finding the quantum trajectories.
Pilot-wave theories provide possible solutions to the measurement problem. In such theories, quantum systems are not only described by the state vector but also by some additional variables. These additional variables, also called beables, can be particle positions, field configurations, strings, etc. In this paper we focus our attention on pilot-wave theories in which the additional variables are field configurations. The first such theory was proposed by Bohm for the free electromagnetic field. Since Bohm, similar pilot-wave theories have been proposed for other quantum fields. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview and further development of these proposals. We discuss various bosonic quantum field theories such as the Schrödinger field, the free electromagnetic field, scalar quantum electrodynamics and the Abelian Higgs model. In particular, we compare the pilot-wave theories proposed by Bohm and by Valentini for the electromagnetic field, finding that they are equivalent. We further discuss the proposals for fermionic fields by Holland and Valentini. In the case of Holland's model we indicate that further work is required in order to show that the model is capable of reproducing the standard quantum predictions. We also consider a similar model, which does not seem to reproduce the standard quantum predictions. In the case of Valentini's model we point out a problem that seems hard to overcome.
Pilot-wave theories provide possible solutions to the measurement problem. In such theories, quantum systems are not only described by the state vector but also by some additional variables. These additional variables, also called beables, can be particle positions, field configurations, strings, etc. In this paper we focus our attention on pilot-wave theories in which the additional variables are field configurations. The first such theory was proposed by Bohm for the free electromagnetic field. Since Bohm, similar pilot-wave theories have been proposed for other quantum fields. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview and further development of these proposals. We discuss various bosonic quantum field theories such as the Schrödinger field, the free electromagnetic field, scalar quantum electrodynamics and the Abelian Higgs model. In particular, we compare the pilot-wave theories proposed by Bohm and by Valentini for the electromagnetic field, finding that they are equivalent. We further discuss the proposals for fermionic fields by Holland and Valentini. In the case of Holland's model we indicate that further work is required in order to show that the model is capable of reproducing the standard quantum predictions. We also consider a similar model, which does not seem to reproduce the standard quantum predictions. In the case of Valentini's model we point out a problem that seems hard to overcome.
Pilot-wave theories provide possible solutions to the measurement problem. In such theories, quantum systems are not only described by the state vector, but also by some additional variables. These additional variables, also called beables, can be particle positions, field configurations, strings, etc. In this paper we focus our attention on pilot-wave theories in which the additional variables are field configurations. The first such pilot-wave theory was proposed by Bohm for the free electromagnetic field. Since Bohm similar pilot-wave theories have been proposed for other quantum fields. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview and further development of these proposals. We discuss various bosonic quantum field theories such as the Schrödinger field, the free electromagnetic field, scalar quantum electrodynamics and the Abelian Higgs model. In particular we compare the pilot-wave theories proposed by Bohm and by Valentini for the electromagnetic field, finding that Valentini’s approach is more or less equivalent to Bohm’s approach. We further discuss the proposals for fermionic fields by Holland and Valentini. In the case of Holland’s model we indicate that further work is required in order to show that the model is capable of reproducing the standard quantum predictions. We also consider a similar model, which does not seem to reproduce the standard quantum predictions. In the case of Valentini’s model we point out a problem that seems hard to overcome. 1
Abstract Different forms of linear and non-linear field equations, so-called ‘phase-field’ equations, are studied in relation to the de Broglie–Bohm double-solution program. This defines a framework in which elementary particles are described by localised non-linear wave solutions moving by the guidance of a pilot wave, defined by the solution of a Schrödinger-type equation. First, we consider the phase-field order parameter as the phase for the linear pilot wave, second as the pilot wave itself, and third as a moving soliton interpreted as a massive particle. In the last case, we introduce the equation for a superwave, the amplitude of which can be considered as a particle moving in accordance to the de Broglie–Bohm theory. Lax pairs for the coupled problems are constructed in order to discover possible non-linear equations that can describe the moving particle and to propose a framework for investigating coupled solutions. Finally, doublons in 1 + 1 dimensions are constructed as self-similar solutions of a non-linear phase-field equation forming a finite space object. Vacuum quantum oscillations within the doublon determine the evolution of the coupled system. Applying a conservation constraint and using general symmetry considerations, the doublons are arranged as a network in 1 + 1 + 2 dimensions, where nodes are interpreted as elementary particles. A canonical procedure is proposed to treat charge and electromagnetic exchange.
In this thesis we study the de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave interpretation of quantum theory. We consider the domain of non-relativistic quantum theory, relativistic quantum theory and quantum field theory, and in each domain we consider the possibility of formulating a pilot-wave interpretation. For non-relativistic quantum theory a pilot-wave interpretation in terms of particle beables can readily be formulated. But this interpretation can in general not straightforwardly be generalized to relativistic wave equations. The problems which prevent us from devising a pilot-wave interpretation for relativistic wave equations also plague the standard quantum mechanical interpretation, where these problems led to the conception of quantum field theory. Therefore most of our attention is focussed on the construction of a pilot-wave interpretation for quantum field theory. We thereby favour the field beable approach, developed amongst others by Bohm, Hiley, Holland, Kaloyerou and Valentini. Although the field beable approach can be successfully applied to bosonic quantum field theory, it seems not straightforward to do so for fermionic quantum field theory.
We review the main results that have been obtained in quantum cosmology from the perspective of the de Broglie-Bohm quantum theory. As it is a dynamical theory of assumed objectively real trajectories in the configuration space of the physical system under investigation, this quantum theory is not essentially probabilistic and dispenses the collapse postulate, turning it suitable to be applied to cosmology. In the framework of minisuperspace models, we show how quantum cosmological effects in the de-Broglie-Bohm's approach can avoid the initial singularity, and isotropize the Universe. We then extend minisuperspace in order to include linear cosmological perturbations. We present the main equations which govern the dynamics of quantum cosmological perturbations evolving in non-singular quantum cosmological backgrounds, and calculate some of their observational consequences. These results are not known how to be obtained in other approaches to quantum theory. In the general case of full superspace, we enumerate the possible structures of quantum space and time that emerge from the de Broglie-Bohm picture. Finally, we compare some of the results coming from the de Broglie-Bohm theory with other approaches, and discuss the physical reasons for some discrepancies that occur.