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Axioms

On the Connection between Nelson’s Stochastic Quantum Mechanics and Nottale’s Theory of Scale Relativity

Pierre-Henri Chavanis

Published Sep 5, 2024• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper, we review and compare the stochastic quantum mechanics of Nelson and the scale relativity theory of Nottale. We consider both nonrelativistic and relativistic frameworks and include the electromagnetic field. These theories propose a derivation of the Schrödinger and Klein–Gordon equations from microscopic processes. We show their formal equivalence. Specifically, we show that the real and imaginary parts of the complex Lorentz equation in Nottale’s theory are equivalent to the Nelson equations, which are themselves equivalent to the Madelung and de Broglie hydrodynamical representations of the Schrödinger and Klein–Gordon equations, respectively. We discuss the different physical interpretations of the Nelson and Nottale theories and stress their strengths and weaknesses. We mention potential applications of these theories to dark matter.

DOI
10.3390/axioms13090606

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In this paper, we review and compare the stochastic quantum mechanics of Nelson and the scale relativity theory of Nottale. We consider both nonrelativistic and relativistic frameworks and include the electromagnetic field. These theories propose a derivation of the Schrödinger and Klein–Gordon equations from microscopic processes. We show their formal equivalence. Specifically, we show that the real and imaginary parts of the complex Lorentz equation in Nottale’s theory are equivalent to the Nelson equations, which are themselves equivalent to the Madelung and de Broglie hydrodynamical representations of the Schrödinger and Klein–Gordon equations, respectively. We discuss the different physical interpretations of the Nelson and Nottale theories and stress their strengths and weaknesses. We mention potential applications of these theories to dark matter.
Several years ago Nelson succeeded in deriving the nonrelativistic Schrödinger equation within a stochastic model which included Newton’s second law as the fundamental dynamical rule. Unfortunately, the relativistic extension of Nelson’s work is not so straightforward as might at first be supposed. This paper examines the difficulties inherent in such a relativization and proposes supplemental axioms which resolve those difficulties. A stochastic derivation of the Klein–Gordon equation is then presented.
Markov diffusions corresponding to solutions of the Klein-Gordon equation are introduced in a similar way as in Nelson's stochastic mechanics. A relativistic version of the Nelson-Newton law for Markov diffusions is established. Stochastic generalizations of the proper time and of the relativistic action functional are proposed and a stochastic version of the relativistic principle of least action is stated. The formalism can be regarded as a quantization procedure leading from classical special relativity to the Klein-Gordon equation.
Abstract From the Madelung's work in 1926, it became clear that the pair of adjoint Schrödinger equations is equivalent to two equations of hydrodynamic representation for probability density and mean momentum Both these equations can be derived from the quantum transport equation (QTE) for a probability density P( , , t) as two equations for the two first moments Then, QTE can be obtained from a non‐Markovian stochastic Kolmogorov–Gikhman–Skorokhod equation for a real pure‐jump process. Similarly, the Klein–Fock–Gordon equation follows from non‐Markovian relativistic QTE (RQTE). Thus, all quantum mechanics as mathematical theory is a topic of the theory of real pure‐jump non‐Markovian stochastic processes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002
The deduction by Guerra and Marra of the usual quantum operator algebra from a canonical variable Hamiltonian treatment of Nelson's hydrodynamical stochastic description of real nonrelativistic Schr\"odinger waves is extended to the causal stochastic interpretation given by Guerra and Ruggiero and by Vigier of relativistic Klein-Gordon waves. A specific representation shows that the Poisson brackets for canonical hydrodynamical observables become ``averages'' of quantum observables in the given state. Stochastic quantization thus justifies the standard procedure of replacing the classical particle (or field) observables with operators according to the scheme ${p}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}-i\ensuremath{\Elzxh}${\ensuremath{\partial}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ and ${L}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}-i\ensuremath{\Elzxh}(${x}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$${\ensuremath{\partial}}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}$-${x}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}$${\ensuremath{\partial}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$).
Nelson's programme for a stochastic mechanics aims to derive the wave function and the Schroedinger equation from natural conditions on a diffusion process in configuration space. If successful, this pro- gramme might have some advantages over the better-known determin- istic pilot-wave theory of de Broglie and Bohm. The essential points of Nelson's strategy are reviewed, with particular emphasis on concep- tual issues relating to the role of time symmetry. The main problem in Nelson's approach is the lack of strict equivalence between the cou- pled Madelung equations and the Schroedinger equation. After a brief discussion, the paper concludes with a possible suggestion for trying to overcome this problem.
The work derives the quantum evolution in a fluctuating vacuum by introducing the related (dark) mass density noise into the Madelung quantum hydrodynamic model. The paper shows that the classical dynamics can spontaneously emerge on the cosmological scale allowing the realization of the classical system-environment super system. The work shows that the dark matter-induced noise is not spatially white and owns a well defined correlation function with the intrinsic vacuum physical length given by the De Broglie one. The resulting model, in the case of microscopic systems, whose dimension is much smaller than the De Broglie length, leads to the Langevin-Schrodinger equation whose friction coefficient is not constant. The derivation puts in evidence the range of application of the Langevin-Schrodinger equation and the approximations inherent to its foundation. The work shows that the classical physics can be achieved in a description whose length scale is much bigger both than the De Broglie length and the quantum potential range of interaction. The model shows that the quantum-to-classical transition is not possible in linear systems, and defines the long-distance characteristics as well as the range of interaction of the non-local quantum potential in order to have a coarse-grained large-scale classical phase. The theory also shows that the process of measurement (by a large-scale classical observer) satisfies the minimum uncertainty conditions if interactions and information do not travel faster than the light speed, reconciling the quantum entanglement with the relativistic macroscopic locality.