This is the fourth paper of a series devoted to mathematically derive the Schrödinger equation using stochastic constructs. We then show that Quantum Mechanics has a stochastic support by following two paths: we first present a stochastic derivation already known in the literature and show that it is equivalent to the characteristic function derivation, made by us in the first paper of this series. However, this approach does not furnish the true stochastic dynamics of the quantum mechanical system, but only an averaged one. We then present a new derivation of the Schrödinger equation based on Langevin equations that present all features of a true stochastic system. These two approaches then improve our understanding of Quantum Mechanics to encompass stochastic behavior.
This is the fourth paper of a series devoted to mathematically derive the Schrödinger equation using stochastic constructs. We then show that Quantum Mechanics has a stochastic support by following two paths: we first present a stochastic derivation already known in the literature and show that it is equivalent to the characteristic function derivation, made by us in the first paper of this series. However, this approach does not furnish the true stochastic dynamics of the quantum mechanical system, but only an averaged one. We then present a new derivation of the Schrödinger equation based on Langevin equations that present all features of a true stochastic system. These two approaches then improve our understanding of Quantum Mechanics to encompass stochastic behavior.
Since the early twentieth century, quantum mechanics has sought an interpretation that offers a consistent worldview. In the course of that, many proposals were advanced, but all of them introduce, at some point, interpretation elements (semantics) that find no correlate in the formalism (syntactics). This distance from semantics and syntactics is one of the major reasons for finding so abstruse and diverse interpretations of the formalism. To overcome this issue, we propose an alternative stochastic interpretation, based exclusively on the formal structure of the Schrödinger equation, without resorting to external assumptions such as the collapse of the wave function or the role of the observer. We present four (mathematically equivalent) mathematical derivations of the Schrödinger equation based on four constructs: characteristic function, Boltzmann entropy, Central Limit Theorem (CLT), and Langevin equation. All of them resort to axioms already interpreted and offer complementary perspectives to the quantum formalism. The results show the possibility of deriving the Schrödinger equation from well-defined probabilistic principles and that the wave function represents a probability amplitude in the configuration space, with dispersions linked to the CLT. It is concluded that quantum mechanics has a stochastic support, originating from the separation between particle and field subsystems, allowing an objective description of quantum behavior as a mean-field theory, analogous, but not equal, to Brownian motion, without the need for arbitrary ontological entities.
In this article, the following results are obtained: the process of a randomly wandering particle having a size and a continuous trajectory of motion is considered; (b) based on the study of this probabilistic process, a derivation of the Schrodinger equation is proposed; the Planck constant h is expressed in terms of the characteristics of the stationary stochastic process under consideration; the probability distribution density of the n-order derivative for a n-times differentiable stationary stochastic process is determined; it is shown that the obtained generalized Schrodinger equation is applicable not only to describe the possible states of microcosm objects, but also for discrete states of a number of macrocosm stochastic systems
This paper elucidates the dual structure of the Schrödinger dynamics in two correlated stages: (1) We first derive the real-valued Schrödinger equation from scratch without referring to classical mechanics, wave mechanics, nor optics, and thereby attain a concrete and clear interpretation of the Schrödinger (wave) function. Beginning with a factorization of the density distribution function of the particles to two component vectors in configuration space, we impose very simple conditions on them such as translational invariance of space-time and the conservation of flux under a given potential function. A real-valued path-integral is formulated as a Green function for the real-valued Schrödinger equation. (2) We then study a quantum stochastic path dynamics in a manner compatible with the Schrödinger equation. The relation between them is like the Langevin dynamics with the diffusion equation. Each quantum path describes a \textquotedblleft trajectory\textquotedblright\ in configuration space representing, for instance, a singly launched electron in the double-slit experiment that leaves a spot one by one at the measurement board, while accumulated spots give rise to the fringe pattern as predicted by the absolute square of the Schrödinger function. We start from the relationship between the Ito stochastic differential equation, the Feynman-Kac formula, and the associated parabolic partial differential equations, to one of which\ the Schrödinger equation is transformed. The physical significance of the quantum intrinsic stochasticity and the indirect correlation among the quantum paths and so on are discussed. The self-referential nonlinear interrelationship between the Schrödinger functions (regarded as a whole) and the quantum paths (as its parts) is identified as the ultimate mystery in quantum dynamics.
In this paper, we present a mathematical derivation of the Schrödinger equation departing from only two axioms. We also show that, using this formal derivation process, it is possible to directly derive the Schrödinger equation in generalized curvilinear coordinate systems. This derivation is also shown to be equivalent to Feynman’s path integral approach, but goes further, allowing us to mathematically derive the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization rules. The use of a small parameter, both in the present derivation, where it is δr, and Feynman’s derivation, where it is ϵ = δt, is also clarified in terms of the Central Limit Theorem. Therefore, the article makes a didactic transposition of the topic of quantization, allowing it to be addressed in the context of teaching Quantum Mechanics. The epistemological importance of axiomatic approaches for the mathematical derivation and the interpretation of the symbols of the theory is also considered.
In a previous paper, we have mathematically derived the Schrödinger equation using the construct of a Characteristic Function. We have shown that this derivation has a great number of consequences and may help to understand what Quantum Mechanics is really about. In this paper, we present another axiomatic mathematical derivation based on the construct of Boltzmann’s entropy. We also show how these two derivations are mathematically connected and obtain, from this, the positive definite phase space probability distribution function. This probability distribution function is shown to be the only one that reproduces the Schrödinger equation and maximizes entropy, while minimizing the energy. Bohmian Mechanics is considered and reinterpreted from the perspective of the mathematical results of the present approach. Some examples are worked out to give teachers interested in using this material in their classrooms some concreteness.
In this note, we argue that the Schrodinger equation for one particle represents ensemble averages taken from stochastic momentum values of a single particle at different times, with time being removed. A new time, representing the evolution of the ensemble is then introduced especially for the case in which energy is being added or removed from a system (e.g. V(x,t)). The momentum stochastic features arise from the potential (or force) acting in a stochastic manner leading to a distribution of momentum values at x (at different times). If V(x,t), we argue the system adds or removes some average energy at x at t. We suggest that in reality, stochastic amounts of energy are added or removed (as long as the average is obtained). This leads to a second distribution, namely one in energy being established.. Thus, W(x,t) may be expanded in terms of exp(ipx) for a fixed t or in exp(i Ei t) for a fixed x. As a result, one may calculate average energy using either Average (p*p/2m) + V(x,t) or [Sum over Ei exp(i Ei t) Ei ] / W(x,t). Equating the two stochastic approaches yields the Schrodinger equation.