Nonrelativistic quantum theory of noninteracting particles in the spacetime containing a region with closed time-like curves (time-machine spacetime) is considered with the help of the path-integral technique. It is argued that, in certain conditions, a sort of superselection may exist for evolution of a particle in such a spacetime. All types of evolution are classified by the number n defined as the number of times the particle returns back to its past. It corresponds also to the topological class [Formula: see text] of trajectories of a particle. The evolutions corresponding to different values of n are noncoherent. The amplitudes corresponding to such evolutions may not be superposed. Instead of one evolution operator, as in the conventional (coherent) description, evolution of the particle is described by a family Un of partial evolution operators. This is done in analogy with the formalism of quantum theory of measurements, but with essential new features in the dischronal region (the region with closed time-like curves) of the time-machine spacetime. Partial evolution operators Un are equal to integrals Kn over the classes of paths [Formula: see text] if the evolution begins and ends in the chronal regions. If the evolution begins or/and ends in the dischronal region, the integral Kn over the class [Formula: see text] should be multiplied by a certain projector to give the partial evolution operator Un. Thus defined partial evolution operators possess the property of generalized unitarity ∑nUn†Un=1 and multiplicativity Um(t″, t′)Un(t′, t)=Um+n(t″, t). In the last equation however one of the numbers m or n (or both) must be equal to zero. Therefore, the part of evolution containing repeated returning backward in time cannot be factorized: all backward passages of the particle have to be considered as a single act, that cannot be presented as gradually, step by step, passing through “causal loops.” The (generalized) multiplicativity and unitarity take place for arbitrary time intervals including (i) propagating in initial and final chronal regions (containing no time-like closed curves) or from the initial chronal region to the final one, and (ii) propagating within the time machine (in the dischronal region), from the time machine to the final chronal region or from the initial chronal region to the time machine.
We study the propagator of a nonrelativistic, noninteracting particle in any nonrelativistic ``time-machine'' spacetime of the following type: an external, chronal spacetime in which two spatial regions ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ at time ${\mathit{t}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ and
V+ at time
t+ are connected by two temporal wormholes, one leading from the past side of ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ to the future side of
V+ and the other from the past side of
V+ to the future side of ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$. We express the propagator explicitly in terms of those for the chronal spacetime and for the two wormholes; and from that expression we show that the propagator satisfies completeness and unitarity in the initial and final ``chronal regions'' (regions without closed timelike curves) and its propagation from the initial region to the final region is unitary. However, within the time machine it satisfies neither completeness nor unitarity. We also give an alternative proof of initial-region-to-final-region unitarity based on a conserved current and Gauss's theorem. This proof can be carried over without change to most any nonrelativistic time-machine spacetime and it is valid as long as the particle is not interacting with itself or any other quantum particle; it can, however, interact with an external field (gravitational or otherwise). This result is the nonrelativistic version of a theorem by Friedman, Papastamatiou, and Simon, which says that for a free scalar field quantum-mechanical unitarity follows from the fact that the classical evolution preserves the Klein-Gordon inner product.
By taking into account the quantum aspects intrinsic to any operational definition of spatio-temporal relationships, a stochastic concept of spacetime emerges. In relation to its classical counterpart is realized as a stochastic mean around which quantum fluctuations become negligible only in the limit of macroscopic spacetime intervals. The test-particle propagators used in the proposed quantum concept of spacetime are derived by solving in a consistent manner the localizability problem for relativistic particles. This is achieved in the framework of the stochastic phase space formulation of quantum mechanics, which in the nonrelativistic context is shown to result from systems of imprimitivity related to phase space conserved probability currents derivable from bona fide convariant probability densities in stochastic phase spaces of one particle systems, which can be interpreted as due to measurements performed with extended rather than pointlike test particles. The associated particle propagators can be therefore consistently related to coordinate probability densities measurable by the exchange of photons in between test particles from a chosen standard. Quantum spacetime is defined as the family of propagators corresponding to all conceivable coherent flows of test particles. This family of free-fall propagators has to satisfy certain self-consistency conditions as well as consistent laws ofmore » motion which inplicitly determine the stochastic geometro-dynamics of quantum space-time. Field theory on quantum spacetime retains many of the formal features of conventional quantum field theory. On a fundamental epistemological level stochastic geometries emerge as essential prerequisites in the construction of spacetime models that would be operationally based and yet consistent with the relativity principle as well as with the uncertinty principle.« less
We show that the emergence of time evolution in an otherwise timeless nonrelativistic closed quantum system -- viewed as a poor man's model of generally covariant quantum theory -- can be understood from the perspective of the path integral representation. As often happens in the functional integral approach, this viewpoint offers a more intuitive account of features that become cumbersome in the operator/Hilbert-space formulation. We show how Schrödinger evolution emerges once a clock degree of freedom is identified and placed in a suitable semiclassical `good-clock state'.
Our analysis has a consequence that extends to path integral formulations of generally covariant systems with action
S (including gravity). In such theories certain transition amplitudes take the form
exp(iS/ℏ)+exp(−iS/ℏ) rather than the expected `forward propagating'
exp(iS/ℏ). This feature, known as the {\em cosine problem}, appears in concrete regularizations of the path integral, for example in the spin foam representation defining the physical inner product between spin network states in loop quantum gravity. Both formally and in explicit regularizations, this apparent difficulty has led some authors to seek modifications of the basic amplitudes to eliminate backward propagation.
Our model shows that the cosine problem is instead a natural consequence of time-reversal invariance of the fundamental dynamics together with the time-neutral boundary states commonly used in transition amplitudes. When a suitable clock system is identified and placed in a semiclassical `good-clock state', it introduces a time arrow selecting the `forward propagating'
exp(iS/ℏ), without modifying the fundamental dynamics.
The analysis clarifies how time emerges under suitable conditions and emphasizes that, in the canonical formulation, quantum gravity is fundamentally timeless.
Sum-over-histories generalizations of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics are explored in which probabilities are predicted, not just for alternatives defined on spacelike surfaces, but for alternatives defined by the behavior of spacetime histories with respect to spacetime regions. Closed, nonrelativistic systems are discussed whose histories are paths in a given configuration space. The action and the initial quantum state are assumed fixed and given. A formulation of quantum mechanics is used which assigns probabilities to members of sets of alternative coarse-grained histories of the system, that is, to the individual classes of a partition of its paths into exhaustive and exclusive classes. Probabilities are assigned to those sets which decohere, that is, whose probabilities are consistent with the sum rules of probability theory. Coarse graining by the behavior of paths with respect to regions of spacetime is described. For example, given a single region, the set of all paths may be partitioned into those which never pass through the region and those which pass through the region at least once. A sum-over-histories decoherence functional is defined for sets of alternative histories coarse-grained by spacetime regions. Techniques for the definition and effective computation of the relevant sums over histories by operator-product formulas are described and illustrated by examples. Methods based on Euclidean stochastic processes are also discussed and illustrated. Models of decoherence and measurement for spacetime coarse grainings are described. Issues of causality are investigated. Such spacetime generalizations of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics may be useful models for a generalized quantum mechanics of spacetime geometry.
Spacetime must be foliable by spacelike surfaces for the quantum mechanics of matter fields to be formulated in terms of a unitarily evolving state vector defined on spacelike surfaces. When a spacetime possesses nonchronal regions which cannot be foliated by spacelike surfaces, as in the case of spacetimes with closed timelike curves, a more general formulation of quantum mechanics is required. In such generalizations the transition matrix between alternatives on two spacelike surfaces lying in regions of spacetime where foliating families can be defined may be nonunitary if a nonchronal region lies between them. This paper describes a sum-over-histories generalized quantum mechanics whose probabilities consistently obey the rules of probability theory even in the presence of such nonunitarity. The usual notion of state on a spacelike surface is lost in this generalization. Anomalies such as nonconservation of energy or "Everett phones" that are exhibited by some generalizations of quantum mechanics are not found in this one. However, the generalization is acausal in the sense that the existence of nonchronal regions of spacetime in the future can affect the probabilities of alternatives today and signaling outside the light cone is possible. The detectability of nonunitary evolution and violations of causality in measurement situations are briefly considered.
Quantum mechanics is traditionally formulated using the reversible coordinate time
t, which enforces a globally reversible unitary group structure and time‑symmetric propagators. This conflicts with physically irreversible processes such as decoherence, measurement, entropy production, causal propagation, and curvature‑driven focusing in general relativity. We resolve this mismatch by replacing
t with the monotonic temporal field
T, previously developed in the context of global causal structure, temporal focusing, and worldline ordering in curved spacetime. Once
T is taken as the fundamental evolution parameter, quantum dynamics cannot be reversible: the inverse operator
U−1 is not physically realizable, and unitary evolution becomes a forward‑directed semigroup. We formulate **forward unitarity**, in which physical evolution is generated only by forward‑directed operators
Uphys(T2,T1) with
T2>T1. Pure states evolve according to a forward Schrödinger equation with an intrinsic, monotonic decoherence functional
D(T), while mixed states evolve under a forward Lindblad structure. Probability is conserved, but coherent recoverability is forbidden by geometric irreversibility, causal structure, and temporal focusing. We construct a Forward‑QM Lagrangian, a forward Heisenberg picture, and a forward path integral restricted to histories with non‑decreasing
T, showing how operator algebras, propagators, correlation functions, and creation/annihilation operators inherit the arrow of time. Forward‑QM provides a unified, forward‑directed formulation of quantum mechanics compatible with general relativity, causal geometry, and the irreversible structure of spacetime. It replaces reversible unitary groups with physically meaningful semigroup evolution, aligns quantum dynamics with measurement, decoherence, and entropy production, and establishes the foundation for Forward Quantum Field Theory (FQFT). The extension to FQFT—covering forward propagators, interacting fields, renormalization in the presence of monotonic decoherence, and causal compatibility in curved spacetime—will be developed in future work.