Understanding quantization

Ray LaPierre

Jorge Henrique de Oliveira Sales, Alfredo Takashi Suzuki

One of the most important developments of modern science was the emergence of the concept of energy quantization which forced its way into our previous classical understanding of matter in nature. Modern day view of matter constituents and present understanding of atomic structure basic to quantum chemistry arose in those first decades of last century. In this line, a key feature for the understanding of microscopic atomic structures and their stability was the concept of angular momentum quantization. To capture the beauty and the power of these concepts is therefore extremely relevant for apprehending the contemporary view of matter, energy and interactions in nature. In this work we present a possible alternative approach of quantizing the atomic orbit for the hydrogen's atom model proposed by Bohr without using his hypothesis of angular momentum quantization from the start. In our approach here we show that when we identify the number of photons and the quantum number for the orbit, we are led to Bohr's hypothesis as a consequence of the Planck's energy quantization.

Agung Budiyono

We argue that to solve the foundational problems of quantum theory one has to first understand what it means to quantize a classical system. We then propose a quantization method based on replacement of deterministic c-numbers by stochastically-parametrized c-numbers. Unlike canonical quantization, the method is free from operator ordering ambiguity and the resulting quantum system has a straightforward interpretation as statistical modification of an ensemble of classical trajectories. We then develop measurement without wave function collapse à la pilot-wave theory and point out new testable predictions.

Christian Maes

Ray LaPierre

Art Hobson

This paper presents a philosophically realistic analysis of quantization, field-particle duality, superposition, entanglement, nonlocality, and measurement. These are logically related: Realistically understanding measurement depends on realistically understanding superposition, entanglement, and nonlocality; understanding these three depends on understanding field-particle duality and quantization. This paper resolves all six, based on a realistic view of standard quantum physics. It concludes that, for these issues, standard quantum physics is consistent with scientific practice since Copernicus: Nature exists on its own and science's goal is to understand its operating principles, which are independent of humans. Quantum theory need not be regarded as merely the study of what humans can know about the microscopic world, but can instead view it as the study of real quanta such as electrons, photons, and atoms. This position has long been argued by Mario Bunge.