New atomic theory : a proposal

Miguel Navarro

In a recent paper [J. Math. Phys. 35, 3333 (1994)] Good postulated new rules of quantization, one of the major features of which is that the quantum evolution of the wave function is always given by ordinary differential equations. In this paper we analyze the proposal in some detail and discuss its viability and its relationship with the standard quantum theory. As a byproduct, a simple derivation of the ‘‘mass spectrum’’ for the Klein–Gordon field is presented, but it is also shown that there is a complete additional spectrum of negative ‘‘masses.’’ Finally, two major reasons are presented against the viability of this alternative proposal: (a) It does not lead to the correct energy spectrum for the hydrogen atom. (b) For field models, the standard quantum theory cannot be recovered from this alternative description.

Eric G. Cavalcanti

In recent decades there has been a resurge of interest in the foundations of quantum theory, partly motivated by new experimental techniques, partly by the emerging field of quantum information science. Old questions, asked since the seminal article by Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen (EPR), are being revisited. The work of John Bell has changed the direction of investigation by recognising that those fundamental philosophical questions can have, after all, input from experiment. Abner Shimony has aptly termed this new field of enquiry "experimental metaphysics". The objective of this Thesis is to contribute to that body of research, by formalising old concepts, proposing new ones, and finding new results in well-studied areas. Without losing from sight that the appeal of experimental metaphysics comes from the adjective, every major result is followed by clear experimental proposals for quantum-atom optical setups.

Harald Friedrich

Rajan Dogra

The technical problem in Feynman’s proposal to formulate quantum mechanics in terms of a sum over histories of a particle is that this sum over histories must be performed in imaginary time rather than in the real time that everyone experiences [1]. In this paper, for the derivation of Lorentz transformation from the postulates of Special theory of Relativity, the concept of De Broglie quantum waves is introduced which leads to the conclusions that the derivation of Lorentz transformation does not need the postulate of constancy of light speed in free space in case the postulate of phase coincidence of De Broglie quantum waves is introduced. Consequently, a new proposal is formulated that combines Quantum mechanics and the special theory of relativity and overcomes the technical problem in Feynman’s proposal.

Harald Friedrich