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

Progress of Theoretical Physics

On a Possible Generalization of Quantum Mechanics

Tadashi Kaneno

Published Jan 1, 1960• 27 citations
Publisher

Abstract

An attempt is made to enlarge the number field underlying quantum mechanics from complex to quaternion. It is not impossible to construct quaternion quantum mechanics in quite a similar manner to the usual complex quantum mechanics, though some limitations are necessary for the position of factors. Further, as a special case, the charge properties of the spin-0 particles are considered. This example may show some new way to generalized the concept of the charge of the elementary particles without adoption of the iso-space.

DOI
10.1143/ptp.23.17

Related papers

On the Necessity of Complex Numbers in Quantum Mechanics

Marco Oppio

In principle, the lattice of elementary propositions of a generic quantum system admits a representation in real, complex or quaternionic Hilbert spaces as established by Solèr’s theorem (1995) closing a long standing problem that can be traced back to von Neumann’s mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics. However up to now there are no examples of quantum systems described in Hilbert spaces whose scalar field is different from the set of complex numbers. We show that elementary relativistic systems cannot be described by irreducible strongly-continuous unitary representations of SL(2, C) on real or quaternionic Hilbert spaces as a consequence of some peculiarity of the generators related with the theory of polar decomposition of operators. Indeed such a ”naive” attempt leads necessarily to an equivalent formulation on a complex Hilbert space. Although this conclusion seems to give a definitive answer to the real/quaternionic-quantum-mechanics issue, it lacks consistency since it does not derive from more general physical hypotheses as the complex one does. Trying a more solid approach, in both situations we end up with three possibilities: an equivalent description in terms of a Wigner unitary representation in a real, complex or quaternionic Hilbert space. At this point the ”naive” result turns out to be a definitely important technical lemma, for it forbids the two extreme possibilities. \nIn conclusion, the real/quaternionic theory is actually complex. This improved approach is based upon the concept of von Neumann algebra of observables. Unfortunately, while \nthere exists a thorough literature about these algebras on real and complex Hilbert spaces, an analysis on the notion of von Neumann algebra over a quaternionic Hilbert space is \ncompletely absent to our knowledge. There are several issues in trying to define such a mathematical object, first of all the inability to construct linear combination of operators \nwith quaternionic coeffients. Restricting ourselves to unital real *-algebras of operators we are able to prove the von Neumann Double Commutant Theorem also on quaternionc \nHilbert spaces. Clearly, this property turns out to be crucial.

•Jan 1, 2018•1 citation

QUATERNIONIC QUANTUM MECHANICS AND RESTRICTED RELATIVITY. PART 22

Gérard G. Emch

S>The implications of group theory for the foundations of quaternionic quantum mechanics are discussed. It is proved that even in this case a relativistic description is possible. It is shown that the elementary systems for the Poincare group, as they appear in this realization, are in one-to-one correspondence with those of the usual complex quantum mechanics. The occurrence of charge conjugation related to space reflexion is discussed and some consequences on a TCP-relativistic theory are explored. The framework of a general relativistic quaternionic quantum mechanics is developed and the particular ties that exist between this theory and its complex analog are emphasized. The possible adequacy of a mixed complex-quaternionic description for isospin is discussed. (auth)

•Jan 1, 1963•0 citations

To Principles of Quantum Theory Construction

Dmitri Yerchuck, Alla Dovlatova, Andrey F. Alexandrov

New insight to the principles of the quantum theory construction is given. It is based on the symmetry study of main differential equations of mechanics and electrodynamics. It has been shown, that differential equations, which are invariant under transformations of groups, which are symmetry groups of mathematical numbers (considered within the frames of the number theory) determine the mathematical nature of the quantities, incoming in given equations. The substantial consequence of the given consideration is the proof of the main postulate of quantum mechanics, that is, the proof of the statement, that to any quantum mechanical quantity can be set up into the correspondence the Hermitian matrix. It is shown, that a non-abelian character of the multiplicative group of the quaternion ring leads to the nonapplicability of the quaternion calculus for the construction of new versions of quantum mechanics directly. The given conclusion seems to be actual, since there is a number of modern publications with the development of the quantum mechanics theory using the quaternions with the standard basis {e, i, j, k}. The correct way for the construction of new versions of quantum mechanics on the quaternion base is discussed in the paper presented. It is realized by means of the representation of the quaternions through the basis of the linear space of complex numbers over the field of real numbers, under the multiplicative group of which the equations of the dynamics of mechanical systems are invariant. At the same time the quaternion calculus is applicable in electrodynamics, at that the new versions of quantum electrodynamics can be constructed by an infinite number of the ways corresponding to an infinite number of the matrix representations of the standard quaternion basis {e, i, j, k}. The given conclusion is the consequence of the high symmetry of Maxwell equations.

International Journal of Physics•Oct 23, 2014•0 citations

Quaternionic elastic scattering

Sergio Giardino

Abstract We study the elastic scattering of quantum particles based on a real Hilbert space approach to quaternionic quantum mechanics ( QM) and derive expression for the wave function, the phase shifts, as well as the optical theorem for the case of a hard sphere scattering potential. The strong agreement between these new quaternionic results and the corresponding results in complex quantum mechanics reinforce the validity of the QM generalization of ordinary complex quantum mechanics ( QM).

arXiv:2011.05743•Europhysics Letters (EPL)•Dec 1, 2020•15 citations

Schwinger Algebra for Quaternionic Quantum Mechanics

Abstract: It is shown that the measurement algebra of Schwinger, a characterization of the properties of Pauli measurements of the first and second kinds, forming the foundation of his formulation of quantum mechanics over the complex field, has a quaternionic generalization. In this quaternionic measurement algebra some of the notions of quaternionic quantum mechanics are clarified. The conditions imposed on the form of the corresponding quantum field theory are studied, and the quantum fields are constructed. It is shown that the resulting quantum fields coincide with the fermion or boson annihilation-creation operators obtained by Razon and Horwitz in the limit in which the number of particles in physical states N → ∞.

•Jan 1, 1997•3 citations

Coherent states in quaternionic quantum mechanics

Stephen L. Adler, Andrew C. Millard

We develop Perelomov’s coherent states formalism to include the case of a quaternionic Hilbert space. We find that, because of the closure requirement, an attempted quaternionic generalization of the special nilpotent or Weyl group reduces to the normal complex case. For the case of the compact group SU(2), however, coherent states can be formulated using the quaternionic half-integer spin matrices of Finkelstein, Jauch, and Speiser, giving a nontrivial quaternionic analog of coherent states.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•May 1, 1997•19 citations
An attempt is made to enlarge the number field underlying quantum mechanics from complex to quaternion. It is not impossible to construct quaternion quantum mechanics in quite a similar manner to the usual complex quantum mechanics, though some limitations are necessary for the position of factors. Further, as a special case, the charge properties of the spin-0 particles are considered. This example may show some new way to generalized the concept of the charge of the elementary particles without adoption of the iso-space.
In principle, the lattice of elementary propositions of a generic quantum system admits a representation in real, complex or quaternionic Hilbert spaces as established by Solèr’s theorem (1995) closing a long standing problem that can be traced back to von Neumann’s mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics. However up to now there are no examples of quantum systems described in Hilbert spaces whose scalar field is different from the set of complex numbers. We show that elementary relativistic systems cannot be described by irreducible strongly-continuous unitary representations of SL(2, C) on real or quaternionic Hilbert spaces as a consequence of some peculiarity of the generators related with the theory of polar decomposition of operators. Indeed such a ”naive” attempt leads necessarily to an equivalent formulation on a complex Hilbert space. Although this conclusion seems to give a definitive answer to the real/quaternionic-quantum-mechanics issue, it lacks consistency since it does not derive from more general physical hypotheses as the complex one does. Trying a more solid approach, in both situations we end up with three possibilities: an equivalent description in terms of a Wigner unitary representation in a real, complex or quaternionic Hilbert space. At this point the ”naive” result turns out to be a definitely important technical lemma, for it forbids the two extreme possibilities. \nIn conclusion, the real/quaternionic theory is actually complex. This improved approach is based upon the concept of von Neumann algebra of observables. Unfortunately, while \nthere exists a thorough literature about these algebras on real and complex Hilbert spaces, an analysis on the notion of von Neumann algebra over a quaternionic Hilbert space is \ncompletely absent to our knowledge. There are several issues in trying to define such a mathematical object, first of all the inability to construct linear combination of operators \nwith quaternionic coeffients. Restricting ourselves to unital real *-algebras of operators we are able to prove the von Neumann Double Commutant Theorem also on quaternionc \nHilbert spaces. Clearly, this property turns out to be crucial.
S>The implications of group theory for the foundations of quaternionic quantum mechanics are discussed. It is proved that even in this case a relativistic description is possible. It is shown that the elementary systems for the Poincare group, as they appear in this realization, are in one-to-one correspondence with those of the usual complex quantum mechanics. The occurrence of charge conjugation related to space reflexion is discussed and some consequences on a TCP-relativistic theory are explored. The framework of a general relativistic quaternionic quantum mechanics is developed and the particular ties that exist between this theory and its complex analog are emphasized. The possible adequacy of a mixed complex-quaternionic description for isospin is discussed. (auth)
New insight to the principles of the quantum theory construction is given. It is based on the symmetry study of main differential equations of mechanics and electrodynamics. It has been shown, that differential equations, which are invariant under transformations of groups, which are symmetry groups of mathematical numbers (considered within the frames of the number theory) determine the mathematical nature of the quantities, incoming in given equations. The substantial consequence of the given consideration is the proof of the main postulate of quantum mechanics, that is, the proof of the statement, that to any quantum mechanical quantity can be set up into the correspondence the Hermitian matrix. It is shown, that a non-abelian character of the multiplicative group of the quaternion ring leads to the nonapplicability of the quaternion calculus for the construction of new versions of quantum mechanics directly. The given conclusion seems to be actual, since there is a number of modern publications with the development of the quantum mechanics theory using the quaternions with the standard basis {e, i, j, k}. The correct way for the construction of new versions of quantum mechanics on the quaternion base is discussed in the paper presented. It is realized by means of the representation of the quaternions through the basis of the linear space of complex numbers over the field of real numbers, under the multiplicative group of which the equations of the dynamics of mechanical systems are invariant. At the same time the quaternion calculus is applicable in electrodynamics, at that the new versions of quantum electrodynamics can be constructed by an infinite number of the ways corresponding to an infinite number of the matrix representations of the standard quaternion basis {e, i, j, k}. The given conclusion is the consequence of the high symmetry of Maxwell equations.
Abstract: It is shown that the measurement algebra of Schwinger, a characterization of the properties of Pauli measurements of the first and second kinds, forming the foundation of his formulation of quantum mechanics over the complex field, has a quaternionic generalization. In this quaternionic measurement algebra some of the notions of quaternionic quantum mechanics are clarified. The conditions imposed on the form of the corresponding quantum field theory are studied, and the quantum fields are constructed. It is shown that the resulting quantum fields coincide with the fermion or boson annihilation-creation operators obtained by Razon and Horwitz in the limit in which the number of particles in physical states N → ∞.