The uncertainty of the reference frame in quantum mechanics

1939 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-204
Author(s):  
H. C. Corben
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Reference Frame ◽  
High Energy ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Energy ◽  
High Energy Electrons

It is shown that, if account is taken of the uncertainty of position and momentum of the reference origin with respect to which observations are made, the self-energy and transverse self-energy of the electron become finite and the quantum theory is considerably modified for high-energy electrons and quanta.

scholarly journals On the self-energies and cross-sections of orthodox quantum mechanics

1949 ◽  
Vol 197 (1048) ◽  
pp. 73-89 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Density Matrix ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
The Self ◽  
Convergence Properties ◽  
Self Energy ◽  
Negative Expectation ◽  
Systematic Development ◽  
Theory Of Fields

In this paper are introduced several novel techniques having as their objects, first, the gain of a new understanding of the divergence difficulties of orthodox quantum theory, and secondly, the systematic development of the quantum mechanics of fields in terms of the density matrix. There is included a new presentation of a form of perturbation theory which has the outstanding advantages over the usual one that it is much more quickly convergent, and leaves the density matrix normalized at every stage so that the diagonal elements representing occupational probabilities cannot diverge. Exact general formulae are derived for self-energies and cross-sections for the purpose of examining their convergence properties. The general theory of fields is developed ab initio , and it is shown that the use of the density matrix in place of the wave vector illuminates and simplifies the customary theory. The second quantization of the density matrix which follows throws unexpected light on the existence of particles with negative expectation values. Finally, the whole theory is applied to the crucial example of the electron or positron in an electromagnetic field. It is confirmed that the self-energy of the electron in the orthodox theory cannot be made finite without the introduction of negative energy photons.

scholarly journals ON THE NONRELATIVISTIC LIMIT OF THE φ4 THEORY IN 2+1 DIMENSIONS

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (36) ◽  
pp. 2825-2836 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. GOMES ◽  
J.M.C. MALBOUISSON ◽  
A.J. DA SILVA
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Scalar Field ◽  
Scattering Amplitude ◽  
Nonrelativistic Limit ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
The Self ◽  
Energy Correction ◽  
Real Scalar ◽  
Self Energy

We study the nonrelativistic limit of the quantum theory of a real scalar field with quartic self-interaction. The two-body scattering amplitude is written in such way as to separate the contributions of high and low energy intermediary states. From this result and the two-loop computation of the self-energy correction, we determine an effective nonrelativistic action.

Fundamentality

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Healey
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Theory ◽  
High Energy Physics ◽  
Physical Property ◽  
Natural World ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Quantum Field Theories ◽  
Fundamental Physics ◽  
The World ◽  
Energy Physics

The metaphor that fundamental physics is concerned to say what the natural world is like at the deepest level may be cashed out in terms of entities, properties, or laws. The role of quantum field theories in the Standard Model of high-energy physics suggests that fundamental entities, properties, and laws are to be sought in these theories. But the contextual ontology proposed in Chapter 12 would support no unified compositional structure for the world; a quantum state assignment specifies no physical property distribution sufficient even to determine all physical facts; and quantum theory posits no fundamental laws of time evolution, whether deterministic or stochastic. Quantum theory has made a revolutionary contribution to fundamental physics because its principles have permitted tremendous unification of science through the successful application of models constructed in conformity to them: but these models do not say what the world is like at the deepest level.

Quantum Becoming?

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Callender
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Quantum Time ◽  
Quantum Non Locality ◽  
Time Quantum ◽  
Temporal Becoming ◽  
Non Locality ◽  
Quantum Wavefunction

Two of quantum mechanics’ more famed and spooky features have been invoked in defending the idea that quantum time is congenial to manifest time. Quantum non-locality is said by some to make a preferred foliation of spacetime necessary, and the collapse of the quantum wavefunction is held to vindicate temporal becoming. Although many philosophers and physicists seek relief from relativity’s assault on time in quantum theory, assistance is not so easily found.

Surfing the Quantum World

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank S. Levin
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Musical Instrument ◽  
Popular Science ◽  
Quantum Spin ◽  
Exclusion Principle ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
Core Concepts ◽  
The Many ◽  
The One

Surfing the Quantum World bridges the gap between in-depth textbooks and typical popular science books on quantum ideas and phenomena. Among its significant features is the description of a host of mind-bending phenomena, such as a quantum object being in two places at once or a certain minus sign being the most consequential in the universe. Much of its first part is historical, starting with the ancient Greeks and their concepts of light, and ending with the creation of quantum mechanics. The second part begins by applying quantum mechanics and its probability nature to a pedagogical system, the one-dimensional box, an analog of which is a musical-instrument string. This is followed by a gentle introduction to the fundamental principles of quantum theory, whose core concepts and symbolic representations are the foundation for most of the subsequent chapters. For instance, it is shown how quantum theory explains the properties of the hydrogen atom and, via quantum spin and Pauli’s Exclusion Principle, how it accounts for the structure of the periodic table. White dwarf and neutron stars are seen to be gigantic quantum objects, while the maximum height of mountains is shown to have a quantum basis. Among the many other topics considered are a variety of interference phenomena, those that display the wave properties of particles like electrons and photons, and even of large molecules. The book concludes with a wide-ranging discussion of interpretational and philosophic issues, introduced in Chapters 14 by entanglement and 15 by Schrödinger’s cat.

Quantum Theory

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank S. Levin
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Uncertainty Principle ◽  
Quantum Spin ◽  
Quantum States ◽  
Wave Functions ◽  
Symbolic Representations ◽  
Quantum Numbers ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle

The subject of Chapter 8 is the fundamental principles of quantum theory, the abstract extension of quantum mechanics. Two of the entities explored are kets and operators, with kets being representations of quantum states as well as a source of wave functions. The quantum box and quantum spin kets are specified, as are the quantum numbers that identify them. Operators are introduced and defined in part as the symbolic representations of observable quantities such as position, momentum and quantum spin. Eigenvalues and eigenkets are defined and discussed, with the former identified as the possible outcomes of a measurement. Bras, the counterpart to kets, are introduced as the means of forming probability amplitudes from kets. Products of operators are examined, as is their role underpinning Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. A variety of symbol manipulations are presented. How measurements are believed to collapse linear superpositions to one term of the sum is explored.

Constructing Quantum Mechanics

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Duncan ◽  
Michel Janssen
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Quantum Theory ◽  
Stark Effect ◽  
Zeeman Effect ◽  
Black Body ◽  
Black Body Radiation ◽  
Wave Mechanics ◽  
Specific Heats ◽  
Old Quantum Theory ◽  
Upper Level

This is the first of two volumes on the genesis of quantum mechanics. It covers the key developments in the period 1900–1923 that provided the scaffold on which the arch of modern quantum mechanics was built in the period 1923–1927 (covered in the second volume). After tracing the early contributions by Planck, Einstein, and Bohr to the theories of black‐body radiation, specific heats, and spectroscopy, all showing the need for drastic changes to the physics of their day, the book tackles the efforts by Sommerfeld and others to provide a new theory, now known as the old quantum theory. After some striking initial successes (explaining the fine structure of hydrogen, X‐ray spectra, and the Stark effect), the old quantum theory ran into serious difficulties (failing to provide consistent models for helium and the Zeeman effect) and eventually gave way to matrix and wave mechanics. Constructing Quantum Mechanics is based on the best and latest scholarship in the field, to which the authors have made significant contributions themselves. It breaks new ground, especially in its treatment of the work of Sommerfeld and his associates, but also offers new perspectives on classic papers by Planck, Einstein, and Bohr. Throughout the book, the authors provide detailed reconstructions (at the level of an upper‐level undergraduate physics course) of the cental arguments and derivations of the physicists involved. All in all, Constructing Quantum Mechanics promises to take the place of older books as the standard source on the genesis of quantum mechanics.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document