A Process Algebra Approach to Quantum Electrodynamics

Y. N. Srivastava

Emilio Santos

It is shown that a stochastic process can be viewed as a set of states (normalized positive linear functionals) over an Abelian C*-algebra. Alternatively, the stochastic process can be associated with a set of representations of the algebra as a subalgebra of the (noncommutative) C*-algebra of bounded operators in a Hilbert space. Then, an operator equation can be associated with every stochastic equation in some general conditions. The formalism is applied to Brownian motion. Then, we study the nonrelativistic motion of a single particle in stochastic electrodynamics, a theory which has been proposed as a possible alternative to quantum mechanics. The equations of motion, which are derived, coincide with the basic ones of quantum mechanics. The differences between this theory and quantum mechanics are summarized.

Clive W. Kilmister

Oscar Wallace Greenberg

William Sulis

The process algebra approach to quantum mechanics posits a finite, discrete, determinate ontology of primitive events which are generated by processes (in the sense of Whitehead). In this ontology, primitive events serve as elements of an emergent space-time and of emergent fundamental particles and fields. Each process generates a set of primitive elements, using only local information, causally propagated as a discrete wave, forming a causal space termed a causal tapestry. Each causal tapestry forms a discrete and finite sampling of an emergent causal manifold (space-time) M and emergent wave function. Interactions between processes are described by a process algebra which possesses 8 commutative operations (sums and products) together with a non-commutative concatenation operator (transitions). The process algebra possesses a representation via nondeterministic combinatorial games. The process algebra connects to quantum mechanics through the set valued process and configuration space covering maps, which associate each causal tapestry with sets of wave functions over M . Probabilities emerge from interactions between processes. The process algebra model has been shown to reproduce many features of the theory of non-relativistic scalar particles to a high degree of accuracy, without paradox or divergences. This paper extends the approach to a semi-classical form of quantum electrodynamics.