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arXiv:quant-ph/0308001 · Journal of Mathematical Physics

On linearity of separating multiparticle differential Schrödinger operators for identical particles

George Svetlichny

Published Feb 12, 2004• 5 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We show that hierarchies of differential Schrödinger operators for identical particles which are separating for the usual (anti-)symmetric tensor product, are necessarily linear, and offer some speculations on the source of quantum linearity.
DOI
10.1063/1.1646449

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We investigate hierarchies of nonlinear Schrödinger equations for multiparticle systems satisfying the separation property, i.e., where product wave functions evolve by the separate evolution of each factor.Such a hierarchy defines a nonlinear derivation on tensor products of the single-particle wave-function space, and satisfies a certain homogeneity property characterized by two new universal physical constants.A canonical construction of hierarchies is derived that allows the introduction, at any particular "threshold" number of particles, of truly new physical effects absent in systems having fewer particles.In particular, if single quantum particles satisfy the usual (linear) Schrödinger equation, a system of two particles can evolve by means of a fairly simple nonlinear Schrödinger equation without violating the separation property.Examples of Galileian-invariant hierarchies are given.
Hierarchies of nonlinear Schrödinger equations were investigated for multiparticle systems, satisfying the separation property, i.e., where product wave functions evolve by the separate evolution of each factor. Such a hierarchy defines a nonlinear derivation on tensor products of the single-particle wave-function space, and satisfies a certain homogeneity property characterized by two new universal physical constants. A canonical construction of hierarchies is derived that allows the introduction, at any particular ‘‘threshold’’ number of particles, of truly new physical effects absent in systems having fewer particles. In particular, if single quantum particles satisfy the usual (linear) Schrödinger equation, a system of two particles can evolve by means of a fairly simple nonlinear Schrödinger equation without violating the separation property. Examples of Galilean-invariant hierarchies are given.
We investigate the symmetry properties of hierarchies of non-linear Schrödinger equations, introduced in [2], which describe non-interacting systems in which tensor product wave-functions evolve by independent evolution of the factors (the separation property).We show that there are obstructions to lifting symmetries existing at a certain number of particles to higher numbers.Such obstructions vanish for particles without internal degrees of freedom and the usual space-time symmetries.For particles with internal degrees of freedom, such as spin, these obstructions are present and their circumvention requires a choice of a new term in the equation for each particle number.A Lie-algebra approach for non-linear theories is developed.
We investigate the symmetry properties of hierarchies of non-linear Schroedinger equations (introduced by Doebner and Goldin, and Goldin and Svetlichny), which describe non-interacting systems in which tensor product wave-functions evolve by independent evolution of the factors (the separation property). We show that there are obstructions to lifting symmetries existing at a certain number of particles to higher numbers. Such obstructions vanish for particles without internal degrees of freedom and the usual space-time symmetries. For particles with internal degrees of freedom, such as spin, these obstructions are present and their circumvention requires a choice of a new term in the equation for each particle number. A Lie-algebra approach for non-linear theories is developed.
Abstract According to classical physics particles are basic building blocks of the world. These classical particles are distinguishable objects, individuated by unique combinations of physical properties. By contrast, in quantum mechanics the received view is that particles of the same kind (“identical particles”) are physically indistinguishable from each other and lack identity. This doctrine rests on the quantum mechanical (anti)symmetrization postulates together with the “factorist” assumption that each single particle is represented in exactly one factor space of the tensor product Hilbert space of a many-particle system. Even though standard in theoretical physics and the philosophy of physics, the assumption of factorism and the ensuing indistinguishability of particles are problematic. Particle indistinguishability is irreconcilable with the everyday meaning of “particle”, and also with how this term is used in the practice of physics. Moreover, it is a consequence of the standard view that identical quantum particles remain indistinguishable even in the classical limit, which makes a smooth transition to the classical particle concept impossible. Lubberdink (1998; 2009) and Dieks and Lubberdink (2011) have proposed an alternative conception of quantum particles that does not rely on factorism and avoids these difficulties. We further explain and discuss this alternative framework here. One of its key consequences is that particles in quantum theory are not fundamental but emergent; another that once they have emerged, quantum particles are always physically distinguishable and thus possess a physically grounded identity.
According to classical physics particles are basic building blocks of the world. Classical particles are distinguishable objects, individuated by physical characteristics. By contrast, in quantum mechanics the standard view is that particles of the same kind ("identical particles") are in all circumstances indistinguishable from each other. This indistinguishability doctrine is motivated by the (anti)symmetrization postulates together with the assumption (``factorism'') that each single particle is represented in exactly one factor space in the tensor product Hilbert space of a many-particles system. Although the factorist assumption is standard in the literature, it is conceptually problematic. Particle indistinguishability is incompatible with the everyday meaning of ``particle'', and also with how this term is used both in classical physics and in the experimental practice of physics. The standard view requires quantum particles of the same kind to remain indistinguishable even in the classical limit, so that a transition to the classical picture of the world seems impossible. Earlier we have proposed an alternative conception of quantum particles that does not rely on factorism and that avoids these and other problems. We further explain and develop this proposal here. In our view, particles in quantum theory are not fundamental but \emph{emergent}. However, in those situations where the particle concept is applicable, quantum particles---identical or not---are distinguishable in the same way as classical particles.