This is a list of this week’s papers on quantum foundations published in various journals or uploaded to preprint servers such as arxiv.org and PhilSci Archive.
on 2016-6-11 3:12am GMT
Authors: Janusz Gluza, Jerzy Kosek
The idea of obtaining a pilot-wave quantum theory on a lattice with discrete time is presented. The motion of quantum particles is described by a $|\Psi|^2$-distributed Markov chain. Stochastic matrices of the process are found by the discrete version of the least-action principle. Probability currents are the consequence of Hamilton’s principle and the stochasticity of the Markov process is minimized. As an example, stochastic motion of single particles in a double-slit experiment is examined.
Asymptotic Entropy Bounds. (arXiv:1606.02297v1 [hep-th])
on 2016-6-09 5:10am GMT
Authors: Raphael Bousso
We show that known entropy bounds constrain the information carried off by radiation to null infinity. We consider distant, planar null hypersurfaces in asymptotically flat spacetime. Their focussing and area loss can be computed perturbatively on a Minkowski background, yielding entropy bounds in terms of the energy flux of the outgoing radiation. In the asymptotic limit, we obtain boundary versions of the Quantum Null Energy Condition, of the Generalized Second Law, and of the Quantum Bousso Bound.
The problem of time in quantum mechanics. (arXiv:1606.02618v1 [quant-ph])
on 2016-6-09 1:56am GMT
Authors: M.Bauer
The problem of time in quantum mechanics concerns the fact that in the Schr\”odinger equation time is a parameter, not an operator. Pauli’s objection to a time-energy uncertainty relation analogue to the position-momentum one, conjectured by Heisenberg early on, seemed to exclude the existence of such an operator. However Dirac’s formulation of electron’s relativistic quantum mechanics (RQM) does allow the introduction of a dynamical time operator that is self-adjoint. Consequently, it can be considered as the generator of a unitary transformation of the system,as well as an additional system observable subject to uncertainty. In the present paper these aspects are examined within the standard framework of RQM.
on 2016-6-09 1:56am GMT
Authors: Sang Jae Yun
To resolve the quantum measurement problem, we propose an objective collapse theory in which both the wavefunction and the process of collapse are regarded as ontologically objective. The theory, which we call the entangling-speed-threshold theory, postulates that collapse occurs when the entangling speed of a system reaches a threshold, and the collapse basis is determined so as to eliminate the entangling speed and to minimize its increasing rate. Using this theory, we provide answers to the questions of where and when collapse occurs, how the collapse basis is determined, what systems are (in other words, what the actual tensor product structure is), and what determines the observables. We also explain how deterministic classical dynamics emerges from indeterministic quantum collapse, explaining the quantum-to-classical transition. In addition, we show that the theory guarantees energy conservation to a high accuracy. We apply the theory to a macroscopic flying body such as a bullet in the air, and derive a satisfactory collapse basis that is highly localized in both position and momentum, consistent with our everyday observation. Finally, we suggest an experiment that can verify the theory.
About the Independence of Models with respect to Theories: a case study of quantum chemistry
Philsci-Archive: No conditions. Results ordered -Date Deposited.
on 2016-6-08 11:51pm GMT
Accorinti, Hernán Lucas and Martínez, Juan Camilo (2016) About the Independence of Models with respect to Theories: a case study of quantum chemistry. [Published Article or Volume]
An Axiomatic Basis for Quantum Mechanics
Latest Results for Foundations of Physics
on 2016-6-08 12:00am GMT
Abstract
In this paper we use the framework of generalized probabilistic theories to present two sets of basic assumptions, called axioms, for which we show that they lead to the Hilbert space formulation of quantum mechanics. The key results in this derivation are the co-ordinatization of generalized geometries and a theorem of Solér which characterizes Hilbert spaces among the orthomodular spaces. A generalized Wigner theorem is applied to reduce some of the assumptions of Solér’s theorem to the theory of symmetry in quantum mechanics. Since this reduction is only partial we also point out the remaining open questions.
Google moves closer to a universal quantum computer
on 2016-6-08 12:00am GMT
Combining the best of analog and digital approaches could yield a full-scale multipurpose quantum computer.
Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2016.20032
Quantum Spaces are Modular. (arXiv:1606.01829v1 [hep-th])
on 2016-6-07 12:52pm GMT
Authors: Laurent Freidel, Robert G. Leigh, Djordje Minic
At present, our notion of space is a classical concept. Taking the point of view that quantum theory is more fundamental than classical physics, and that space should be given a purely quantum definition, we revisit the notion of Euclidean space from the point of view of quantum mechanics. Since space appears in physics in the form of labels on relativistic fields or Schrodinger wave functionals, we propose to define Euclidean quantum space as a choice of polarization for the Heisenberg algebra of quantum theory. We show, following Mackey, that generically, such polarizations contain a fundamental length scale and that contrary to what is implied by the Schrodinger polarization, they possess topologically distinct spectra. These are the modular spaces. We show that they naturally come equipped with additional geometrical structures usually encountered in the context of string theory or generalized geometry. Moreover, we show how modular space reconciles the presence of a fundamental scale with translation and rotation invariance. We also discuss how the usual classical notion of space comes out as a form of thermodynamical limit of modular space while the Schrodinger space is a singular limit.
Holographic Space-time, Newton’s Law and the Dynamics of Black Holes. (arXiv:1606.01267v1 [hep-th])
on 2016-6-07 12:52pm GMT
Authors: Tom Banks, Willy Fischler
We revisit the construction of models of quantum gravity in d dimensional Minkowski space in terms of random tensor models, and correct some mistakes in our previous treatment of the subject. We find a large class of models in which the large impact parameter scattering scales with energy and impact parameter like Newton`s law. These same models also have emergent energy, momentum and angular conservation laws, despite being based on time dependent Hamiltonians. Many of the scattering amplitudes have a Feynman diagram like structure: local interaction vertices connected by propagation of free particles (really Sterman-Weinberg jets of particles). However, there are also amplitudes where jets collide to form large meta-stable objects, with all the scaling properties of black holes: energy, entropy and temperature, as well as the characteristic time scale for the decay of perturbations. We generalize the conjecture of Sekino and Susskind, to claim that all of these models are fast scramblers. The rationale for this claim is that the interactions are invariant under fuzzy subgroups of the group of volume preserving diffeomorphisms, so that they are highly non-local on the holographic screen. We review how this formalism resolves the Firewall Paradox.
on 2016-6-07 12:51pm GMT
Authors: K. Simonov, B.C. Hiesmayr
Dynamical reduction models propose a solution to the measurement problem in quantum mechanics: the collapse of the wave function becomes a physical process. We consider the two most promising collapse models, the QMUPL (Quantum Mechanics with Universal Position Localization) model and the mass-proportional CSL (Continuous Spontaneous Localization) model, and derive their effect onto flavour oscillations of neutral mesons. We find that the dynamics of neutral mesons depends on the very assumptions of the noise field underlying any collapse model, thus the physics of the noise field becomes investigatable for these particular systems. Secondly, we find that the decay property of the mass eigenstates can be dynamically generated by the spontaneous collapse in space. Taking collapse models seriously we conclude that accelerator facilities have measured the absolute masses of eigenstates of the Hamiltonian giving raise to decay; this in turn is at the same footings as the mass difference giving raise to the flavour oscillations (predicted also by standard quantum mechanics). Thus dynamical reduction models can cover the full dynamics, oscillation and decay, of neutral mesons.
About Dark Energy and Dark Matter in a Three-Dimensional Quantum Vacuum Model
Latest Results for Foundations of Physics
on 2016-6-07 12:00am GMT
Abstract
A model of a three-dimensional quantum vacuum based on Planck energy density as a universal property of a granular space is suggested. The possibility to provide an unifying explanation of dark matter and dark energy as phenomena linked with the fluctuations of the three-dimensional quantum vacuum is explored. The changes and fluctuations of the quantum vacuum energy density generate a curvature of space–time similar to the curvature produced by a “dark energy” density. The formation of large scale structures in the universe associated to the flattening of the orbital speeds of the spiral galaxies can be explained in terms of primary fluctuations of the quantum vacuum energy density without attracting the idea of dark matter.
on 2016-6-06 2:00pm GMT
Author(s): Stephen W. Hawking, Malcolm J. Perry, and Andrew Strominger
A black hole may carry “soft hair,” low-energy quantum excitations that release information when the black hole evaporates.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 231301] Published Mon Jun 06, 2016
Gravity’s rainbow: a bridge between LQC and DSR. (arXiv:1606.00910v1 [gr-qc])
on 2016-6-06 3:33am GMT
Authors: M. A. Gorji, K. Nozari, B. Vakili
The doubly special relativity (DSR) theories are investigated in order to take into account an observer-independent length scale in special relativity framework. It is widely believed that any quantum theory of gravity would reduce to a DSR model at the flat limit when purely gravitational and quantum mechanical effects are negligible. Gravity’s rainbow is a simple generalization of DSR theories to incorporate gravity. In this paper, we show that the effective Friedmann equations that are suggested by loop quantum cosmology (LQC) can be exactly reobtained in rainbow cosmology setup. The deformed geometry of LQC then completely fixes the modified dispersion relation and results in unique DSR model. In comparison with standard LQC scenario where only the geometry is modified, both of the geometry and matter parts get modifications in our setup. In this respect, we find that the total number of microstates for the universe is finite which suggests the statistical origin for the energy and entropy density bounds. These results explicitly show that the DSR theories are appropriate candidates for the flat limit of loop quantum gravity.
