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arXiv:quant-ph/0007119

A realistic interpretation of the density matrix II: The non-relativistic case

A. Raiteri

Published Jul 31, 2000• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The interpretation proposed in quant-ph/9812011 is extended to the general case of a non-relativistic particle moving in an arbitrary external potential. It is shown that, even in this general case, "particle" solutions exist which do not spread out with time, and remain well localized around their center of mass; it is postulated that these are the only solutions which represent individual physical particles. As a consequence two basic principles of standard QM, namely the superposition principle and the wave-function collapse, are shown to have no ontological meaning. Three simple applications of our approach are then examined: the free particle, the linear harmonic oscillator and the delta barrier potential; the corresponding "particle" solutions are explicitly shown. Finally, it is argued that the persisting confusion about the meaning of the wave-function (does it represent an individual particle or a statistical ensemble?) calls for a non-linear extension of the Schroedinger equation.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0007119

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The interpretation proposed in quant-ph/9812011 is extended to the general case of a non-relativistic particle moving in an arbitrary external potential. It is shown that, even in this general case, "particle" solutions exist which do not spread out with time, and remain well localized around their center of mass; it is postulated that these are the only solutions which represent individual physical particles. As a consequence two basic principles of standard QM, namely the superposition principle and the wave-function collapse, are shown to have no ontological meaning. Three simple applications of our approach are then examined: the free particle, the linear harmonic oscillator and the delta barrier potential; the corresponding "particle" solutions are explicitly shown. Finally, it is argued that the persisting confusion about the meaning of the wave-function (does it represent an individual particle or a statistical ensemble?) calls for a non-linear extension of the Schroedinger equation.
A realistic interpretation of Schroedinger and Dirac equations for density matrices is proposed, in which the difference between the position arguments of the density matrix is considered as an objective extra space dimension. "Particle" solutions are found, which are perfectly localized both in position space and in momentum space (the position and momentum operators commute in the density matrix representation); definitions for all observable quantities are given and the values associated to the "particle" solutions are the correct ones, both for the non-relativistic and the relativistic case. Finally, a non-linear interaction (the electromagnetic one) is introduced in an attempt to single out the "particle" solutions of the Dirac equation from all other solutions; the dynamical evolution of the electromagnetic field is described by the classical (unquantized) Maxwell equations.
A realistic interpretation of Schroedinger and Dirac equations for density matrices is proposed, in which the difference between the position arguments of the density matrix is considered as an "objective" extra space dimension. "Particle" solutions are found, which are perfectly localized both in position space and in momentum space (the position and momentum operators commute in the density matrix representation); definitions for all observable quantities are given and the values associated to the "particle" solutions are the correct ones, both for the non-relativistic and the relativistic case. Finally, a non-linear interaction (the electromagnetic one) is introduced in an attempt to single out the "particle" solutions of the Dirac equation from all other solutions; the dynamical evolution of the electromagnetic field is described by the classical (unquantized) Maxwell equations.
The objective of this series of three papers is to axiomatically derive quantum mechanics from classical mechanics and two other basic axioms. In this first paper, Schreodinger's equation for the density matrix is fist obtained and from it Schroedinger's equation for the wave functions is derived. The momentum and position operators acting upon the density matrix are defined and it is then demonstrated that they commute. Pauli's equation for the density matrix is also obtained. A statistical potential formally identical to the quantum potential of Bohm's hidden variable theory is introduced, and this quantum potential is reinterpreted through the formalism here proposed. It is shown that, for dispersion free {\it ensembles% }, Schroedinger's equation for the density matrix is equivalent to Newton's equations. A general non-ambiguous procedure for the construction of operators which act upon the density matrix is presented. It is also shown how these operators can be reduced to those which act upon the wave functions.
Time-dependent Schroedinger equation represents the basis of any quantum-theoretical approach. The question concerning its proper content in comparison to the classical physics has not been, however, fully answered until now. It will be shown that there is one-to-one physical correspondence between basic solutions (represented always by one Hamiltonian eigenfunction only) and classical ones, as the non-zero quantum potential has not any physical sense, representing only the "numerical" difference between Hamilton principal function and the phase of corresponding wave function in the case of non-inertial motion. Possible interpretation of superposition solutions will be then discussed in the light of this fact. And also different interpretation alternatives of the quantum-mechanical model will be newly analyzed and new attitude to them will be reasoned.
The objective of this series of three papers is to axiomatically derive quantum mechanics from classical mechanics and two other basic axioms. In this first paper, Schroedinger's equation for the density matrix is fist obtained and from it Schroedinger's equation for the wave functions is derived. The momentum and position operators acting upon the density matrix are defined and it is then demonstrated that they commute. Pauli's equation for the density matrix is also obtained. A statistical potential formally identical to the quantum potential of Bohm's hidden variable theory is introduced, and this quantum potential is reinterpreted through the formalism here proposed. It is shown that, for dispersion free {\\it ensembles% }, Schroedinger's equation for the density matrix is equivalent to Newton's equations. A general non-ambiguous procedure for the construction of operators which act upon the density matrix is presented. It is also shown how these operators can be reduced to those which act upon the wave functions.
We investigate the meaning of the wave function by analyzing the mass and charge density distributions of a quantum system. According to protective measurement, a charged quantum system has effective mass and charge density distributing in space, proportional to the square of the absolute value of its wave function. In a realistic interpretation, the wave function of a quantum system can be taken as a description of either a physical field or the ergodic motion of a particle. The essential difference between a field and the ergodic motion of a particle lies in the property of simultaneity; a field exists throughout space simultaneously, whereas the ergodic motion of a particle exists throughout space in a time‐divided way. If the wave function is a physical field, then the mass and charge density will be distributed in space simultaneously for a charged quantum system, and thus there will exist gravitational and electrostatic self‐interactions of its wave function. This not only violates the superposition principle of quantum mechanics but also contradicts experimental observations. Thus the wave function cannot be a description of a physical field but be a description of the ergodic motion of a particle. For the later there is only a localized particle with mass and charge at every instant, and thus there will not exist any self‐interaction for the wave function. It is further argued that the classical ergodic models, which assume continuous motion of particles, cannot be consistent with quantum mechanics. Based on the negative result, we suggest that the wave function is a description of the quantum motion of particles, which is random and discontinuous in nature. On this interpretation, the square of the absolute value of the wave function not only gives the probability of the particle being found in certain locations, but also gives the probability of the particle being there. The suggested new interpretation of the wave function provides a natural realistic alternative to the orthodox interpretation, and it also implies that the de Broglie‐Bohm theory and many‐worlds interpretation are wrong and the dynamical collapse theories are in the right direction by admitting wavefunction collapse.