Phase-space path-integrals are used in order to illustrate various aspects of a recently proposed interpretation of quantum mechanics as a gauge theory of metaplectic spinor fields.

arXiv:hep-th/9812178Dec 20, 19980 citations

Some Classical Models of Particles and Quantum Gauge Theories

Andrey Akhmeteli

arXiv:2211.02886Quantum ReportsNov 3, 20222 citations

arXiv:hep-th/9804036 · International Journal of Modern Physics A

QUANTUM MECHANICS AS A GAUGE THEORY OF METAPLECTIC SPINOR FIELDS

M. REUTER

Published Sep 10, 1998• 9 citations

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Abstract

DOI: 10.1142/s0217751x98001803

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Quantum Mechanics as a Gauge Theory of Metaplectic Spinor Fields

Reuter, M., Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg (Germany)

A hidden gauge theory structure of quantum mechanics which is invisible in its conventional formulation is uncovered. Quantum mechanics is shown to be equivalent to a certain Yang-Mills theory with an infinite-dimensional gauge group and a nondynamical connection. It is defined over an arbitrary symplectic manifold which constitutes the phase-space of the system under consideration. The ''matter fields'' are local generalizations of states and observables: they assume values in a family of local Hilbert spaces (and their tensor products) which are attached to the points of phase-space. Under local frame rotations they transform in the spinor representation of the metaplectic group Mp(2N), the double covering of Sp(2N). The rules of canonical quantization are replaced by two independent postulates with a simple group theoretical and differential geometrical interpretation. A novel background-quantum split symmetry plays a central role. (orig.)A hidden gauge theory structure of quantum mechanics which is invisible in its conventional formulation is uncovered. Quantum mechanics is shown to be equivalent to a certain Yang-Mills theory with an infinite-dimensional gauge group and a nondynamical connection. It is defined over an arbitrary symplectic manifold which constitutes the phase-space of the system under consideration. The ''matter fields'' are local generalizations of states and observables: they assume values in a family of local Hilbert spaces (and their tensor products) which are attached to the points of phase-space. Under local frame rotations they transform in the spinor representation of the metaplectic group Mp(2N), the double covering of Sp(2N). The rules of canonical quantization are replaced by two independent postulates with a simple group theoretical and differential geometrical interpretation. A novel background-quantum split symmetry plays a central role. (orig.)

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J. M. Isidro

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Phase-space path-integrals are used in order to illustrate various aspects of a recently proposed interpretation of quantum mechanics as a gauge theory of metaplectic spinor fields.

arXiv:hep-th/9812178Dec 20, 19980 citations

Some Classical Models of Particles and Quantum Gauge Theories

Andrey Akhmeteli

The article contains a review and new results of some mathematical models relevant to the interpretation of quantum mechanics and emulating well-known quantum gauge theories, such as scalar electrodynamics (Klein–Gordon–Maxwell electrodynamics), spinor electrodynamics (Dirac–Maxwell electrodynamics), etc. In these models, evolution is typically described by modified Maxwell equations. In the case of scalar electrodynamics, the scalar complex wave function can be made real by a gauge transformation, the wave function can be algebraically eliminated from the equations of scalar electrodynamics, and the resulting modified Maxwell equations describe the independent evolution of the electromagnetic field. Similar results were obtained for spinor electrodynamics. Three out of four components of the Dirac spinor can be algebraically eliminated from the Dirac equation, and the remaining component can be made real by a gauge transformation. A similar result was obtained for the Dirac equation in the Yang–Mills field. As quantum gauge theories play a central role in modern physics, the approach of this article may be sufficiently general. One-particle wave functions can be modeled as plasma-like collections of a large number of particles and antiparticles. This seems to enable the simulation of quantum phase-space distribution functions, such as the Wigner distribution function, which are not necessarily non-negative.The article contains a review and new results of some mathematical models relevant to the interpretation of quantum mechanics and emulating well-known quantum gauge theories, such as scalar electrodynamics (Klein–Gordon–Maxwell electrodynamics), spinor electrodynamics (Dirac–Maxwell electrodynamics), etc. In these models, evolution is typically described by modified Maxwell equations. In the case of scalar electrodynamics, the scalar complex wave function can be made real by a gauge transformation, the wave function can be algebraically eliminated from the equations of scalar electrodynamics, and the resulting modified Maxwell equations describe the independent evolution of the electromagnetic field. Similar results were obtained for spinor electrodynamics. Three out of four components of the Dirac spinor can be algebraically eliminated from the Dirac equation, and the remaining component can be made real by a gauge transformation. A similar result was obtained for the Dirac equation in the Yang–Mills field. As quantum gauge theories play a central role in modern physics, the approach of this article may be sufficiently general. One-particle wave functions can be modeled as plasma-like collections of a large number of particles and antiparticles. This seems to enable the simulation of quantum phase-space distribution functions, such as the Wigner distribution function, which are not necessarily non-negative.

arXiv:2211.02886Quantum ReportsNov 3, 20222 citations

Functional Integral Approach to

C^*

-algebraic Quantum Mechanics II: Symplectic Quantum Mechanics

We propose

Sp\,(8,\R)

and its Langlands dual

SO(9,\R)

as dynamical groups for closed quantum systems. Restricting here to the non-compact group

Sp\,(8,\R)

, the quantum theory is constructed and investigated. The functional Mellin transform plays a prominent role in defining the quantum theory. It provides a bridge between the quantum algebra of observables and the algebra of operators on Hilbert spaces furnishing unitary representations that are induced from a distinguished parabolic subgroup of $Sp\,(8,\C)$. As well, the parabolic subgroup renders a fiber bundle construction that models what can be described as a matrix quantum gauge theory. The formulation is strictly quantum mechanics: no \emph{a priori} space-time is assumed and the only geometrical input comes indirectly from the group manifold. But what appears on the surface to be a fairly simple-minded model turns out to have a capacious structure suggesting some compelling physical interpretations regarding space-time and fundamental interactions.