Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Mathematical Physics

Possible Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

L. de la Peña-Auerbach, Leopoldo S. Garcı́a-Colı́n

Published Jun 1, 1968• 17 citations
Publisher

Abstract

It is shown that to Schrödinger's equation, one may associate a Markoff process in the Smoluchowski approximation with an external force acting on the system which is a measure of its interaction with the vacuum. This interaction is, in this scheme, responsible for the stochastic character of the motion. The physical interpretation of the usual momentum and energy operators emerges in a natural way from the theory. Thus, we are immediately led to Heisenberg's uncertainty relations. However, this interpretation of quantum mechanics is valid only within the limits of validity of Smoluchowski's equation. As a simple example, we treat the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator.

DOI
10.1063/1.1664661

Related papers

Quantum-Mechanical Description of a Brownian Particle

L. de la Peña-Auerbach, Ernest Braun, L. S. García Colín

It is shown that the motion of a Brownian particle in the Smoluchowski approximation may be described by a Schrödinger-like equation defining a complex probability amplitude whose norm is the same as the stochastic probability density. Furthermore, the quantum dynamical operators have a physical meaning which arises in a natural way, from the stochastic nature of the process. These operators satisfy the usual commutation relations and thus the uncertainty principle. Here the constant ℏ is replaced by a parameter depending on the characteristics of the system. In particular, the potential-energy operator for a Brownian particle subject to no external forces can be interpreted as a Rayleigh dissipative function.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•May 1, 1968•12 citations

New Formulation of Stochastic Theory and Quantum Mechanics

L. de la Peña-Auerbach

The theory of stochastic motion is formulated from a new point of view. It is shown that the fundamental equations of the theory reduce to Schrödinger's equation for specific values of certain parameters. A generalized Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov equation is obtained; with other values of the parameters, certain approximations reduce this to the Smoluchowski equation for Brownian movement. In particular, the potential function in the Schrödinger equation differs in the two cases. The usual uncertainty relations appear in a natural way in the theory, but in a broader context. A single theory thus covers both similarities and differences between quantum-mechanical and Brownian motion. Furthermore, possibilities for broadening nonrelativistic quantum mechanics are brought out and, as an example, the possible corrections due to non-Markoffian terms are briefly studied.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Sep 1, 1969•99 citations

On stochastic theories of quantum mechanics

James G. Gilson

Introduction. There exists a very comprehensive theory concerning the time development of probabilistic systems. This is the Theory of Stochastic processes (1). Quantum mechanics as described by the Schrödinger equation rests very heavily on probabilistic interpretation, and yet, after forty years of remarkably rapid advances and successes, it is not clear how it is related to stochastic theory. The formal similarity of certain aspects of, and equations used in these two theories are well known. The diffusion equation corresponds to the Schrödinger equation, a correspondence only marred by a square root of minus unity appearing with the time derivative in the latter equation. The Kolmogoroff–Chapman relation for probabilities in Brownian motion has an analogue (2) in quantum mechanics, not for probabilities though, but for the complex probability amplitudes. The uncertainty relation also has a stochastic analogue (3). Some of these analogous characteristics are actually symptomatic of the gulf which separates these two theories. There are solutions to the diffusion equation which have a very clear physical probabilistic meaning. This is not the case with the corresponding and formally similar solutions to the Schrödinger equation and is partly due to the √ − 1 mentioned earlier. The probabilistic interpretation of the solutions to the diffusion equation is direct and immediate. On the other hand, the probabilistic interpretation of the solutions, ψ of the Schrödinger equation involve the introduction of the probability density, p = ψ*ψ. One great difference between these two theories lies in their each having distinct principles of linear superposition. In Stochastic Theory probabilities are superposed and in quantum mechanics amplitudes or wave functions are superposed.

Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society•Oct 1, 1968•36 citations

The system with discrete interactions I: Some comments about the principles of quantum theory

Yudin, M

The model of the physical system with discrete interactions is based on the postulates that (i) parameters of the physical system are defined in process of its interaction; (ii) the process of interaction is discrete. Consequently ordering of the events in the system is not automatically implied based on the values of time, but must be specified explicitly. This suggests the specific logic of events as well as complex character of the function, which describes stochastic behavior of the system, hence the parameters of the system are defined by Hermitian operators in the Hilbert space of functions. The model gives an essential way to introduce the basic notions and obtain the results of the quantum theory, to derive the meaning of the main physical parameters, such as momentum or electric charge. Based on the proposed postulates, Schrodinger equation for the particle is deduced in a way similar to inferring of Smoluchowski equation in the classical statistical mechanics. Similarly, the equations of motion of linear fields are established by considering Smoluchowski-type equations for amplitudes of harmonics. The concept of discrete interaction gives a way to de-couple the object of experiment and a testing device (the traditional source of controversy in quantum theory), though at expense of limitation of the principle of locality.

arXiv:quant-ph/0202082•Feb 15, 2002•0 citations

Bakerian Lecture - The physical interpretation of quantum mechanics

P. A. M. Dirac

Abstract Modern developments of atomic theory have required alterations in some of the most fundamental physical ideas. This has resulted in its being usually easier to discover the equations that describe some particular phenomenon than just how the equations are to be interpreted. The quantum mechanics of Heisenberg and Schrodinger was first worked out for a number of simple examples, from which a general mathematical scheme was constructed, and afterwards people were led to the general physical principles governing the interpretation, such as the superposition of states and the indeterminacy principle. In this way a satisfactory non-relativistic quantum mechanics was established.

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London A Mathematical and Physical Sciences•Mar 18, 1942•345 citations

Quantum Mechanics

N. S. Manton, Nicholas Mee

Abstract In this chapter, the main features of quantum theory are presented. The chapter begins with a historical account of the invention of quantum mechanics. The meaning of position and momentum in quantum mechanics is discussed and non-commuting operators are introduced. The Schrödinger equation is presented and solved for a free particle and for a harmonic oscillator potential in one dimension. The meaning of the wavefunction is considered and the probabilistic interpretation is presented. The mathematical machinery and language of quantum mechanics are developed, including Hermitian operators, observables and expectation values. The uncertainty principle is discussed and the uncertainty relations are presented. Scattering and tunnelling by potential wells and barriers is considered. The use of variational principles to estimate ground state energies is explained and illustrated with a simple example.

•Apr 13, 2017•0 citations
It is shown that to Schrödinger's equation, one may associate a Markoff process in the Smoluchowski approximation with an external force acting on the system which is a measure of its interaction with the vacuum. This interaction is, in this scheme, responsible for the stochastic character of the motion. The physical interpretation of the usual momentum and energy operators emerges in a natural way from the theory. Thus, we are immediately led to Heisenberg's uncertainty relations. However, this interpretation of quantum mechanics is valid only within the limits of validity of Smoluchowski's equation. As a simple example, we treat the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator.
It is shown that the motion of a Brownian particle in the Smoluchowski approximation may be described by a Schrödinger-like equation defining a complex probability amplitude whose norm is the same as the stochastic probability density. Furthermore, the quantum dynamical operators have a physical meaning which arises in a natural way, from the stochastic nature of the process. These operators satisfy the usual commutation relations and thus the uncertainty principle. Here the constant ℏ is replaced by a parameter depending on the characteristics of the system. In particular, the potential-energy operator for a Brownian particle subject to no external forces can be interpreted as a Rayleigh dissipative function.
The theory of stochastic motion is formulated from a new point of view. It is shown that the fundamental equations of the theory reduce to Schrödinger's equation for specific values of certain parameters. A generalized Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov equation is obtained; with other values of the parameters, certain approximations reduce this to the Smoluchowski equation for Brownian movement. In particular, the potential function in the Schrödinger equation differs in the two cases. The usual uncertainty relations appear in a natural way in the theory, but in a broader context. A single theory thus covers both similarities and differences between quantum-mechanical and Brownian motion. Furthermore, possibilities for broadening nonrelativistic quantum mechanics are brought out and, as an example, the possible corrections due to non-Markoffian terms are briefly studied.
Introduction. There exists a very comprehensive theory concerning the time development of probabilistic systems. This is the Theory of Stochastic processes (1). Quantum mechanics as described by the Schrödinger equation rests very heavily on probabilistic interpretation, and yet, after forty years of remarkably rapid advances and successes, it is not clear how it is related to stochastic theory. The formal similarity of certain aspects of, and equations used in these two theories are well known. The diffusion equation corresponds to the Schrödinger equation, a correspondence only marred by a square root of minus unity appearing with the time derivative in the latter equation. The Kolmogoroff–Chapman relation for probabilities in Brownian motion has an analogue (2) in quantum mechanics, not for probabilities though, but for the complex probability amplitudes. The uncertainty relation also has a stochastic analogue (3). Some of these analogous characteristics are actually symptomatic of the gulf which separates these two theories. There are solutions to the diffusion equation which have a very clear physical probabilistic meaning. This is not the case with the corresponding and formally similar solutions to the Schrödinger equation and is partly due to the √ − 1 mentioned earlier. The probabilistic interpretation of the solutions to the diffusion equation is direct and immediate. On the other hand, the probabilistic interpretation of the solutions, ψ of the Schrödinger equation involve the introduction of the probability density, p = ψ*ψ. One great difference between these two theories lies in their each having distinct principles of linear superposition. In Stochastic Theory probabilities are superposed and in quantum mechanics amplitudes or wave functions are superposed.
The model of the physical system with discrete interactions is based on the postulates that (i) parameters of the physical system are defined in process of its interaction; (ii) the process of interaction is discrete. Consequently ordering of the events in the system is not automatically implied based on the values of time, but must be specified explicitly. This suggests the specific logic of events as well as complex character of the function, which describes stochastic behavior of the system, hence the parameters of the system are defined by Hermitian operators in the Hilbert space of functions. The model gives an essential way to introduce the basic notions and obtain the results of the quantum theory, to derive the meaning of the main physical parameters, such as momentum or electric charge. Based on the proposed postulates, Schrodinger equation for the particle is deduced in a way similar to inferring of Smoluchowski equation in the classical statistical mechanics. Similarly, the equations of motion of linear fields are established by considering Smoluchowski-type equations for amplitudes of harmonics. The concept of discrete interaction gives a way to de-couple the object of experiment and a testing device (the traditional source of controversy in quantum theory), though at expense of limitation of the principle of locality.
Abstract Modern developments of atomic theory have required alterations in some of the most fundamental physical ideas. This has resulted in its being usually easier to discover the equations that describe some particular phenomenon than just how the equations are to be interpreted. The quantum mechanics of Heisenberg and Schrodinger was first worked out for a number of simple examples, from which a general mathematical scheme was constructed, and afterwards people were led to the general physical principles governing the interpretation, such as the superposition of states and the indeterminacy principle. In this way a satisfactory non-relativistic quantum mechanics was established.
Abstract In this chapter, the main features of quantum theory are presented. The chapter begins with a historical account of the invention of quantum mechanics. The meaning of position and momentum in quantum mechanics is discussed and non-commuting operators are introduced. The Schrödinger equation is presented and solved for a free particle and for a harmonic oscillator potential in one dimension. The meaning of the wavefunction is considered and the probabilistic interpretation is presented. The mathematical machinery and language of quantum mechanics are developed, including Hermitian operators, observables and expectation values. The uncertainty principle is discussed and the uncertainty relations are presented. Scattering and tunnelling by potential wells and barriers is considered. The use of variational principles to estimate ground state energies is explained and illustrated with a simple example.