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arXiv:quant-ph/0206016 · AIP conference proceedings

The Dirac Equation in Classical Statistical Mechanics

Garnet N. Ord

Published Jan 1, 2002• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The Dirac equation, usually obtained by ‘quantizing’ a classical stochastic model is here obtained directly within classical statistical mechanics. The special underlying space‐time geometry of the random walk replaces the missing analytic continuation, making the model ‘self‐quantizing’. This provides a new context for the Dirac equation, distinct from its usual context in relativistic quantum mechanics.

DOI
10.1063/1.1524581

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The Dirac equation, usually obtained by ‘quantizing’ a classical stochastic model is here obtained directly within classical statistical mechanics. The special underlying space‐time geometry of the random walk replaces the missing analytic continuation, making the model ‘self‐quantizing’. This provides a new context for the Dirac equation, distinct from its usual context in relativistic quantum mechanics.
We consider the motion of a classical particle in (1+1)-dimensional space-time. Four probability distributions govern the trajectory of the particle; these give the probability of moving to the left or right in space while moving backwards or forwards in time. If these probabilities are randomly distributed and if the probability of moving backwards in time is related to the probability of moving forwards in time in a prescribed manner, then the master equations for these probabilities give rise to the Dirac equation without recourse to direct analytic continuation. In contrast, when a particle always moves forward in time, an analytic continuation is required to recover the Dirac equation.
The Schrödinger free particle equation in 1+1 dimension describes second-order effects in ensembles of lattice random walks, in addition to its role in quantum mechanics, and its solutions represent the continuous limit of a property of ensembles of Brownian particles. In the present paper, the classical Schrödinger and Dirac equations have been derived from the Brownian motions of a particle, and it has been shown that the classical Schrödinger equation can be transformed into the usual Schrödinger quantum equation on applying the Heisenberg uncertainty principle between position and momentum, while the Dirac quantum equation follows from its classical counterpart on applying the Heisenberg uncertainty principle between energy and time, without applying any analytical continuation.
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the Dirac equation, which will provide us with a basis for developing the relativistic quantum mechanics of electronic systems. Thus far we have reviewed some basic features of the classical relativistic theory, which is the foundation of relativistic quantum theory. As in the nonrelativistic case, quantum mechanical equations may be obtained from the classical relativistic particle equations by use of the correspondence principle, where we replace classical variables by operators. Of particular interest are the substitutions In terms of the momentum four-vector introduced earlier, this yields In going from a classical relativistic description to relativistic quantum mechanics, we require that the equations obtained are invariant under Lorentz transformations. Other basic requirements, such as gauge invariance, must also apply to the equations of relativistic quantum mechanics. We start this chapter by reexamining the quantization of the nonrelativistic Hamiltonian and draw out some features that will be useful in the quantization of the relativistic Hamiltonian. We then turn to the Dirac equation and sketch its derivation. We discuss some properties of the equation and its solutions, and show how going to the nonrelativistic limit reduces it to a Schrödinger-type equation containing spin.
Dirac's equation provides the most rigorous basis known for many calculations in relativistic quantum mechanics. A set of dynamical equations having greater intuitive content can be derived from Dirac's equation without any approximations. These secondary equations govern the properties of a Dirac particle as functions of time and space and are similar to the corresponding equations governing a classical charged fluid. Several new density functions are implied by these equations and are appropriate for incorporation into the various semiclassical models of physics.
We extend a stochastic model underlying the Dirac equation in 1+1 dimensions to include the electromagnetic field. The model obtains the Dirac equation without requiring a formal analytic continuation. The mechanism, which produces quantum behaviour, is the allowed Brownian motion in time. The microscopic time reversals in the Brownian motion are the source of quantum interference. The electromagnetic field is also obtained from a stochastic model and the interaction with Dirac particles is treated as a scattering process.PACS Nos.: 03.65.-w, 03.20.+i, 05.40.+j
Classical model S_dc of Dirac particle S_D is constructed. S_D is the dynamic system described by the Dirac equation. Its classical analog S_dc is described by a system of ordinary differential equations, containing the quantum constant h as a parameter. Dynamic equations for S_dc are determined by the Dirac equation uniquely. Both dynamic systems S_D and S_dc appear to be nonrelativistic. One succeeded in transforming nonrelativistic dynamic system S_dc into relativistic one S_dcr. The dynamic system S_dcr appears to be a two-particle structure (special case of a relativistic rotator). It explains freely such properties of S_D as spin and magnetic moment, which are strange for pointlike structure. The rigidity function f_r(a), describing rotational part of total mass as a function of the radius aaa of rotator, has been calculated for S_dcr. For investigation of S_D and construction of S_dc one uses new dynamic methods: dynamic quantization and dynamic disquantization. These relativistic pure dynamic procedures do not use principles of quantum mechanics (QM). They generalize and replace conventional quantization and transition to classical approximation. Totality of these methods forms the model conception of quantum phenomena (MCQP). Technique of MCQP is more subtle and effective, than conventional methods of QM. MCQP relates to conventional QM, much as the statistical physics relates to thermodynamics.