According to some generalized correspondence principle the classical limit of a non-Hermitian quantum theory describing quantum degrees of freedom is expected to be the well known classical mechanics of classical degrees of freedom in the complex phase space, i.e., some phase space spanned by complex-valued space and momentum coordinates. As special relativity was developed by Einstein merely for real-valued space-time and four-momentum, we will try to understand how special relativity and covariance can be extended to complex-valued space-time and four-momentum. Our considerations will lead us not only to some unconventional derivation of Lorentz transformations for complex-valued velocities, but also to the non-Hermitian Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations, which are to lay the foundations of a non-Hermitian quantum theory.
According to some generalized correspondence principle the classical limit of a non-Hermitian quantum theory describing quantum degrees of freedom is expected to be the well known classical mechanics of classical degrees of freedom in the complex phase space, i.e., some phase space spanned by complex-valued space and momentum coordinates. As special relativity was developed by Einstein merely for real-valued space-time and four-momentum, we will try to understand how special relativity and covariance can be extended to complex-valued space-time and four-momentum. Our considerations will lead us not only to some unconventional derivation of Lorentz transformations for complex-valued velocities, but also to the non-Hermitian Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations, which are to lay the foundations of a non-Hermitian quantum theory.
According to some generalized correspondence principle the classical limit of a non-Hermitian Quantum theory describing quantum degrees of freedom is expected to be well known classical mechanics of classical degrees of freedom in the complex phase space, i.e., some phase space spanned by complex-valued space and momentum coordinates. As special relativity has been developed by Einstein merely for real-valued space-time and four-momentum we will try to understand how special relativity and covariance can be extended to complex-valued space-time and four-momentum. Our considerations will lead us not only to some unconventional derivation of Lorentz transformations for complex-valued velocities, yet also to the non-Hermitian Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations which are to lay the foundations of a non-Hermitian quantum theory.
Relativistic quantum mechanics was developed to reconcile the principles of quantum mechanics with Einstein’s theory of relativity. Despite its success in describing high-energy particles, the theory continues to face unresolved conceptual and mathematical difficulties, particularly in relation to the nature of time, causality, and relativistic consistency. In recent years, the idea of extending space-time into the complex domain has emerged as a useful and potentially meaningful approach to these problems. In this work, a theoretical synthesis is presented to examine the role of complex space-time in relativistic quantum mechanics. The study discusses how complex time arises naturally in relativistic wave equations, quantum field theory, and path integral formulations. Established methods such as Wick rotation, complex coordinate transformations, and non-Hermitian but parity–time (PT) symmetric Hamiltonians are reviewed to illustrate how complex space-time contributes to mathematical stability and clearer physical interpretation (Dirac, 1928; Wick, 1954; Bender & Boettcher, 1998). The relevance of complex space-time is further explored in the context of relativistic particle dynamics and quantum cosmology, where it helps address, issues related to vacuum structure, time evolution, and causality (Feynman & Hibbs, 1965; Hartle & Hawking, 1983). The paper suggests that complex space-time should be viewed not only as a computational technique, but as a framework that may reflect deeper features of relativistic quantum phenomena.
Solitary-particle quantum mechanics' inherent compatibility with special relativity is implicit in Schroedinger's postulated wave-function rule for the operator quantization of the particle's canonical three-momentum, taken together with his famed time-dependent wave-function equation that analogously treats the operator quantization of its Hamiltonian. The resulting formally four-vector equation system assures proper relativistic covariance for any solitary-particle Hamiltonian operator which, together with its canonical three-momentum operator, is a Lorentz-covariant four-vector operator. This, of course, is always the case for the quantization of the Hamiltonian of a properly relativistic classical theory, so the strong correspondence principle definitely remains valid in the relativistic domain. Klein-Gordon theory impairs this four-vector equation by iterating and contracting it, thereby injecting extraneous negative-energy solutions that are not orthogonal to their positive-energy counterparts of the same momentum, thus destroying the basis of the quantum probability interpretation. Klein-Gordon theory, which thus depends on the square of the Hamiltonian operator, is as well thereby cut adrift from Heisenberg's equations of motion. Dirac theory confuses the space-time symmetry of the four-vector equation system with such symmetry for its time component alone, which it fatuously imposes, thereby breaching the strong correspondence principle for the free particle and imposing the starkly unphysical momentum-independence of velocity. Physically sensible alternatives, with external electromagnetic fields, to the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations are derived, and the simple, elegant symmetry-based approach to antiparticles is pointed out.
Abstract This book provides an innovative and mathematically sound treatment of the foundations of analytical mechanics, and of the relation of classical mechanics to relativity and quantum theory. A distinguishing feature is its integration of special relativity into the teaching of classical mechanics. After a thorough review of the traditional theory, Part II of the book introduces extended Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods that treat time as a transformable coordinate rather than the fixed parameter of Newtonian physics. Advanced topics such as covariant Langrangians and Hamiltonians, canonical transformations, and Hamilton-Jacobi methods are simplified by the use of this extended theory. The definition of canonical transformation no longer excludes the Lorentz transformation of special relativity. This is also a book for those who study analytical mechanics to prepare for a critical exploration of quantum mechanics since comparisons to quantum mechanics appear throughout the text. The extended Hamiltonian theory with time as a coordinate is compared to Dirac's formalism of primary phase space constraints. The chapter on relativistic mechanics shows how to use covariant Hamiltonian theory to write the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations. The chapter on Hamilton-Jacobi theory includes a discussion of the closely related Bohm hidden variable model of quantum mechanics. Classical mechanics itself is presented with an emphasis on methods such as linear vector operators and dyadics that will familiarise the student with similar techniques in quantum theory. Several of the current fundamental problems in theoretical physics require a rethinking of the quantum–classical connection.
The present study explores a theoretical extension of relativistic quantum wave equations through the introduction of complex space-time coordinates. The motivation for this approach arises from persistent conceptual challenges in relativistic quantum mechanics, particularly those related to probability interpretation and particle localization. By reformulating the Klein?Gordon and Dirac equations within a complex coordinate framework, the paper examines how the mathematical structure of these equations can be broadened without compromising fundamental physical principles. The analysis shows that treating the wave function as an analytic entity in complex space-time provides additional flexibility in handling boundary conditions and singularities. It also offers a refined perspective on the interpretation of solutions, especially in cases where traditional real-valued formulations lead to ambiguities. The study further demonstrates that Lorentz invariance can be preserved through analytic continuation, ensuring consistency with relativistic requirements. Although the framework remains theoretical, it suggests that complexification of space-time may serve as a useful tool in addressing certain limitations of relativistic quantum theory. The findings indicate that this approach has the potential to contribute to ongoing developments in quantum field theory and may provide a conceptual bridge toward more generalized formulations of quantum physics.
In the first part of this series we have shown how the Schrodinger equation for a single particle and the corresponding non relativistic quantum observables can be obtained from a purely classical phonon model through the Newtonian equations of motion. In this work we focus instead on how the classical Hamiltonian formalism applied to the same phonon system allows to recover the feature of relativistic quantum mechanics for a single spinless particle. Using the classical nature of the phonon model, we naturally define continuous Poisson brackets between classical observables, which allows to recover the dynamics of such observables, i.e. the Ehrenfest relations associated to real-valued Klein-Gordon fields. The Poisson brackets also permits to obtain the generic form of constants of motions, thus generalizing the concept of inner products and momentum on Klein-Gordon fields. We then connect the formalism of real-valued classical functionals with that of hermitian operators and complex-valued wave functions. This is done through the introduction of a non-local complex-valued change of variables which allows to rewrite the real-valued Klein-Gordon equation in a form akin to the Schrodinger equation, and the classical observables as quantum expectation values. Then, we show how this change of variables allows to rewrite the classical Poisson brackets as commutators of hermitian operators. This points out the strict equivalence between the Heisenberg formalism and the formalism of classical Poisson bracket. Eventually, we illustrate how the Poisson brackets allows to recover the transformations of Poincare group in 1+1 dimension together with its algebra. The latter makes the link between the Lorentz invariant inner product of Mostafazadeh and the Casimir invariant associated to the mass of particle.