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The Divine Clockwork: Bohr’s correspondence principle and Nelson’s stochastic mechanics for the atomic elliptic state.

Richard Durran, Andrew Neate, Aubrey Truman

Published Jan 1, 2008• 9 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We consider the Bohr correspondence limit of the Schrödinger wave function for an atomic elliptic state. We analyse this limit in the context of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics, exposing an underlying deterministic dynamical system in which trajectories converge to Keplerian motion on an ellipse. This solves the long standing problem of obtaining Kepler’s laws of planetary motion in a quantum mechanical setting. Local mild instabilities occur in the Keplerian orbit for eccentricities greater than 1 / √ 2. If the atomic elliptic state could be produced in the laboratory, this would give a possible experimental test of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics. These instabilities may also explain in some detail when and how the orbiting quantum particle changes its state by emitting or absorbing photons.

Related papers

The divine clockwork: Bohr’s correspondence principle and Nelson’s stochastic mechanics for the atomic elliptic state

Richard Durran, Andrew Neate, Aubrey Truman

We consider the Bohr correspondence limit of the Schrödinger wave function for an atomic elliptic state. We analyze this limit in the context of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics, exposing an underlying deterministic dynamical system in which trajectories converge to Keplerian motion on an ellipse. This solves the long standing problem of obtaining Kepler’s laws of planetary motion in a quantum mechanical setting. In this quantum mechanical setting, local mild instabilities occur in the Keplerian orbit for eccentricities greater than 12 which do not occur classically.

arXiv:0711.0157•Journal of Mathematical Physics•Mar 1, 2008•9 citations

The correspondence limit of the atomic elliptic state

Richard Durran, Andrew Neate, Aubrey Truman +1 more

We consider the wave function for the atomic elliptic state using Nelson's stochastic mechanics. The Bohr correspondence limit is taken to reveal a limiting Nelson diffusion. We demonstrate that this limiting diffusion is a small random perturbation of a deterministic dynamical system in which trajectories converge to Keplerian motion on an ellipse. This shows how to derive Kepler's laws of motion in a quantum-mechanical setting. We show that the generator of the limiting Nelson diffusion has a spectral gap and thereby give an explicit rigorous estimate for the rate of convergence to the elliptical orbit. We discuss possible applications of these results to the long time limit of the quantum particle density for a semiclassical system in a Coulomb potential and also to the formation of planets from a protosolar nebula.

Europhysics Letters (EPL)•Oct 20, 2008•5 citations

On the divine clockwork: The spectral gap for the correspondence limit of the Nelson diffusion generator for the atomic elliptic state

Richard Durran, Andrew Neate, Aubrey Truman +1 more

The correspondence limit of the atomic elliptic state in three dimensions is discussed in terms of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics. In previous work we have shown that this approach leads to a limiting Nelson diffusion, and here we discuss in detail the invariant measure for this process and show that it is concentrated on the Kepler ellipse in the plane z=0. We then show that the limiting Nelson diffusion generator has a spectral gap; thereby proving that in the infinite time limit the density for the limiting Nelson diffusion will converge to its invariant measure. We also include a summary of the Cheeger and Poincaré inequalities, both of which are used in our proof of the existence of the spectral gap.

arXiv:0805.1343•Journal of Mathematical Physics•Oct 1, 2008•5 citations

On the divine clockwork: The spectral gap for the correspondence limit of the Nelson diffusion generator for the atomic elliptic state

Richard Durran, Andrew Neate, Aubrey Truman +1 more

The correspondence limit of the atomic elliptic state in three dimensions is discussed in terms of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics. In previous work we have shown that this approach leads to a limiting Nelson diffusion, and here we discuss in detail the invariant measure for this process and show that it is concentrated on the Kepler ellipse in the plane ????=0. We then show that the limiting Nelson diffusion generator has a spectral gap; thereby proving that in the infinite time limit the density for the limiting Nelson diffusion will converge to its invariant measure. We also include a summary of the Cheeger and Poincaré inequalities, both of which are used in our proof of the existence of the spectral gap.

•Jan 1, 2008•5 citations

Semiclassical wave functions and semiclassical dynamics for the Kepler/Coulomb problem

Andrew Neate, Aubrey Truman

We investigate the semiclassical Kepler/Coulomb problem using the classical constants of the motion in the framework of Nelson's stochastic mechanics. This is done by considering the eigenvalue relations for a family of coherent states (known as the atomic elliptic states) whose wave functions are concentrated on the elliptical orbit corresponding to the associated classical problem. We show that these eigenvalue relations lead to identities for the semiclassical energy, angular momentum and Hamilton–Lenz–Runge vectors in the elliptical case. These identities are then extended to include the cases of circular, parabolic and hyperbolic motions. We show that in all cases the semiclassical wave function is determined by our identities and so our identities can be seen as defining a semiclassical Kepler/Coulomb problem. The results are interpreted in terms of two dynamical systems: one a complex valued solution to the classical mechanics for a Coulomb potential and the other the drift field for a semiclassical Nelson diffusion.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical•May 16, 2014•2 citations

Semiclassical stochastic mechanics for the Coulomb potential with applications to modelling dark matter

Andrew Neate, Aubrey Truman

Little is known about dark matter particles save that their most important interactions with ordinary matter are gravitational and that, if they exist, they are stable, slow moving and relatively massive. Based on these assumptions, a semiclassical approximation to the Schrödinger equation under the action of a Coulomb potential should be relevant for modelling their behaviour. We investigate the semiclassical limit of the Schrödinger equation for a particle of mass M under a Coulomb potential in the context of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics. This is done using a Freidlin-Wentzell asymptotic series expansion in the parameter ϵ=ħ/M for the Nelson diffusion. It is shown that for wave functions ψ ∼ exp((R + iS)/ϵ2) where R and S are real valued, the ϵ = 0 behaviour is governed by a constrained Hamiltonian system with Hamiltonian Hr and constraint Hi = 0 where the superscripts r and i denote the real and imaginary parts of the Bohr correspondence limit of the quantum mechanical Hamiltonian, independent of Nelson’s ideas. Nelson’s stochastic mechanics is restored in dealing with the nodal surface singularities and by computing (correct to first order in ϵ) the relevant diffusion process in terms of Jacobi fields thereby revealing Kepler’s laws in a new light. The key here is that the constrained Hamiltonian system has just two solutions corresponding to the forward and backward drifts in Nelson’s stochastic mechanics. We discuss the application of this theory to modelling dark matter particles under the influence of a large gravitating point mass.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•May 1, 2016•1 citation
We consider the Bohr correspondence limit of the Schrödinger wave function for an atomic elliptic state. We analyse this limit in the context of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics, exposing an underlying deterministic dynamical system in which trajectories converge to Keplerian motion on an ellipse. This solves the long standing problem of obtaining Kepler’s laws of planetary motion in a quantum mechanical setting. Local mild instabilities occur in the Keplerian orbit for eccentricities greater than 1 / √ 2. If the atomic elliptic state could be produced in the laboratory, this would give a possible experimental test of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics. These instabilities may also explain in some detail when and how the orbiting quantum particle changes its state by emitting or absorbing photons.
We consider the Bohr correspondence limit of the Schrödinger wave function for an atomic elliptic state. We analyze this limit in the context of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics, exposing an underlying deterministic dynamical system in which trajectories converge to Keplerian motion on an ellipse. This solves the long standing problem of obtaining Kepler’s laws of planetary motion in a quantum mechanical setting. In this quantum mechanical setting, local mild instabilities occur in the Keplerian orbit for eccentricities greater than 12 which do not occur classically.
We consider the wave function for the atomic elliptic state using Nelson's stochastic mechanics. The Bohr correspondence limit is taken to reveal a limiting Nelson diffusion. We demonstrate that this limiting diffusion is a small random perturbation of a deterministic dynamical system in which trajectories converge to Keplerian motion on an ellipse. This shows how to derive Kepler's laws of motion in a quantum-mechanical setting. We show that the generator of the limiting Nelson diffusion has a spectral gap and thereby give an explicit rigorous estimate for the rate of convergence to the elliptical orbit. We discuss possible applications of these results to the long time limit of the quantum particle density for a semiclassical system in a Coulomb potential and also to the formation of planets from a protosolar nebula.
The correspondence limit of the atomic elliptic state in three dimensions is discussed in terms of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics. In previous work we have shown that this approach leads to a limiting Nelson diffusion, and here we discuss in detail the invariant measure for this process and show that it is concentrated on the Kepler ellipse in the plane z=0. We then show that the limiting Nelson diffusion generator has a spectral gap; thereby proving that in the infinite time limit the density for the limiting Nelson diffusion will converge to its invariant measure. We also include a summary of the Cheeger and Poincaré inequalities, both of which are used in our proof of the existence of the spectral gap.
The correspondence limit of the atomic elliptic state in three dimensions is discussed in terms of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics. In previous work we have shown that this approach leads to a limiting Nelson diffusion, and here we discuss in detail the invariant measure for this process and show that it is concentrated on the Kepler ellipse in the plane ????=0. We then show that the limiting Nelson diffusion generator has a spectral gap; thereby proving that in the infinite time limit the density for the limiting Nelson diffusion will converge to its invariant measure. We also include a summary of the Cheeger and Poincaré inequalities, both of which are used in our proof of the existence of the spectral gap.
We investigate the semiclassical Kepler/Coulomb problem using the classical constants of the motion in the framework of Nelson's stochastic mechanics. This is done by considering the eigenvalue relations for a family of coherent states (known as the atomic elliptic states) whose wave functions are concentrated on the elliptical orbit corresponding to the associated classical problem. We show that these eigenvalue relations lead to identities for the semiclassical energy, angular momentum and Hamilton–Lenz–Runge vectors in the elliptical case. These identities are then extended to include the cases of circular, parabolic and hyperbolic motions. We show that in all cases the semiclassical wave function is determined by our identities and so our identities can be seen as defining a semiclassical Kepler/Coulomb problem. The results are interpreted in terms of two dynamical systems: one a complex valued solution to the classical mechanics for a Coulomb potential and the other the drift field for a semiclassical Nelson diffusion.
Little is known about dark matter particles save that their most important interactions with ordinary matter are gravitational and that, if they exist, they are stable, slow moving and relatively massive. Based on these assumptions, a semiclassical approximation to the Schrödinger equation under the action of a Coulomb potential should be relevant for modelling their behaviour. We investigate the semiclassical limit of the Schrödinger equation for a particle of mass M under a Coulomb potential in the context of Nelson’s stochastic mechanics. This is done using a Freidlin-Wentzell asymptotic series expansion in the parameter ϵ=ħ/M for the Nelson diffusion. It is shown that for wave functions ψ ∼ exp((R + iS)/ϵ2) where R and S are real valued, the ϵ = 0 behaviour is governed by a constrained Hamiltonian system with Hamiltonian Hr and constraint Hi = 0 where the superscripts r and i denote the real and imaginary parts of the Bohr correspondence limit of the quantum mechanical Hamiltonian, independent of Nelson’s ideas. Nelson’s stochastic mechanics is restored in dealing with the nodal surface singularities and by computing (correct to first order in ϵ) the relevant diffusion process in terms of Jacobi fields thereby revealing Kepler’s laws in a new light. The key here is that the constrained Hamiltonian system has just two solutions corresponding to the forward and backward drifts in Nelson’s stochastic mechanics. We discuss the application of this theory to modelling dark matter particles under the influence of a large gravitating point mass.