On quantum jumps, events, and spontaneous localization models

Gerard Nienhuis

Ignazio Francesco Licata, Leonardo Chiatti

This paper explores an event-based version of quantum mechanics which differs from the commonly accepted one, even though the usual elements of quantum formalism, e.g., the Hilbert space, are maintained. This version introduces as primary element the occurrence of micro-events induced by usual physical (mechanical, electromagnetic and so on) interactions. These micro-events correspond to state reductions and are identified with quantum jumps, already introduced by Bohr in his atomic model and experimentally well established today. Macroscopic bodies are defined as clusters of jumps; the emergence of classicality thus becomes understandable and time honoured paradoxes can be solved. In particular, we discuss the cat paradox in this context. Quantum jumps are described as temporal localizations of physical quantities; if the information associated with these localizations has to be finite, two time scales spontaneously appear: an upper cosmological scale and a lower scale of elementary "particles''. This allows the interpretation of the Bekenstein limit like a particular informational constraint on the manifestation of a micro-event in the cosmos it belongs. The topic appears relevant in relation to recent discussions on possible spatiotemporal constraints on quantum computing.

Jürg Martin Fröhlich, Zhou Gang, Alessandro Pizzo

Arkadiusz Jadczyk

The law of track formation in cloud chambers is derived from the Liouville equation with a simple Lindblad's type generator that describes coupling between a quantum particle and a classical, continuous medium of two-state detectors. Piecewise deterministic random process (PDP) corresponding to the Liouville equation is derived. The process consists of pairs (classical event, quantum jump), interspersed with random periods of continuous (in general, non-linear) Schrödinger-type evolution. The classical events are flips of the detectors – they account for tracks. Quantum jumps are shown, in the simplest, homogeneous case, to be identical to those in the early spontaneous localization model of Ghirardi, Rimini and Weber (GRW). The methods and results of the present paper allow for an elementary derivation and numerical simulation of particle track formation and provide an additional perspective on GRW's proposal.

Fabio Benatti, G. C. Ghirardi, Renata Grassi

Blanchard, P, Arkadiusz Jadczyk

The standard formalism of quantum theory is enhanced and definite meaning is given to the concepts of experiment, measurement and event. Within this approach one obtains a uniquely defined piecewise deterministic algorithm generating quantum jumps, classical events and histories of single quantum objects. The wave-function Monte Carlo method of Quantum Optics is generalized and promoted to the level of a fundamental process generating all the real events in Nature. The already worked out applications include SQUID-tank model and generalized cloud chamber model with GRW spontaneous localization as a particular case. Differences between the present approach and quantum measurement theories based on environment-induced master equations are stressed. Questions: what is classical, what is time, and what observers are addressed. Possible applications of the new approach are suggested, among them connection between the stochastic commutative geometry and Connes' noncommutative formulation of the Standard Model, as well as potential applications to the theory and practice of quantum computers.