scholarly journals Time scales for dynamical relaxation to the Born rule

2011 ◽  
Vol 468 (2140) ◽  
pp. 990-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Towler ◽  
N. J. Russell ◽  
Antony Valentini
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Coarse Graining ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Relativistic Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Inflationary Cosmology ◽  
Electron Trajectory ◽  
Born Rule ◽  
Pilot Wave ◽  
De Broglie Bohm

We illustrate through explicit numerical calculations how the Born rule probability densities of non-relativistic quantum mechanics emerge naturally from the particle dynamics of de Broglie–Bohm pilot-wave theory. The time evolution of a particle distribution initially not equal to the absolute square of the wave function is calculated for a particle in a two-dimensional infinite potential square well. Under the de Broglie–Bohm ontology, the box contains an objectively existing ‘pilot wave’ which guides the electron trajectory, and this is represented mathematically by a Schrödinger wave function composed of a finite out-of-phase superposition of M energy eigenstates (with M ranging from 4 to 64). The electron density distributions are found to evolve naturally into the Born rule ones and stay there; in analogy with the classical case this represents a decay to ‘quantum equilibrium’. The proximity to equilibrium is characterized by the coarse-grained subquantum H -function which is found to decrease roughly exponentially towards zero over the course of time. The time scale τ for this relaxation is calculated for various values of M and the coarse-graining length ε . Its dependence on M is found to disagree with an earlier theoretical prediction. A power law, τ ∝ M −1 , is found to be fairly robust for all coarse-graining lengths and, although a weak dependence of τ on ε is observed, it does not appear to follow any straightforward scaling. A theoretical analysis is presented to explain these results. This improvement in our understanding of time scales for relaxation to quantum equilibrium is likely to be of use in the development of models of relaxation in the early Universe, with a view to constraining possible violations of the Born rule in inflationary cosmology.

scholarly journals Quantum relaxation in a system of harmonic oscillators with time-dependent coupling

2021 ◽  
Vol 477 (2248) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Bento Lustosa ◽  
Samuel Colin ◽  
Santiago E. Perez Bergliaffa
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Coarse Graining ◽  
Wave Theory ◽  
Harmonic Oscillators ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Pilot Wave ◽  
The One ◽  
Simple Systems ◽  
Initial Distributions ◽  
Non Equilibrium

In the context of the de Broglie–Bohm pilot-wave theory, numerical simulations for simple systems have shown that states that are initially out of quantum equilibrium—thus violating the Born rule—usually relax over time to the expected | ψ | 2 distribution on a coarse-grained level. We analyse the relaxation of non-equilibrium initial distributions for a system of coupled one-dimensional harmonic oscillators in which the coupling depends explicitly on time through numerical simulations, focusing on the influence of different parameters such as the number of modes, the coarse-graining length and the coupling constant. We show that in general the system studied here tends to equilibrium, but the relaxation can be retarded depending on the values of the parameters, particularly to the one related to the strength of the interaction. Possible implications on the detection of relic non-equilibrium systems are discussed.

scholarly journals Mechanism for nonlocal information flow from black holes

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (06) ◽  
pp. 2050031
Author(s):  
Adithya Kandhadai ◽  
Antony Valentini
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Event Horizon ◽  
Information Flow ◽  
Entangled State ◽  
Born Rule ◽  
Pilot Wave ◽  
De Broglie Bohm

We show that quantum nonequilibrium (or deviations from the Born rule) can propagate nonlocally across space. Such phenomena are allowed in the de Broglie–Bohm pilot-wave formulation of quantum mechanics. We show that an entangled state can act as a channel whereby quantum nonequilibrium can be transferred nonlocally from one region to another without any classical interaction. This suggests a novel mechanism whereby information can escape from behind the classical event horizon of an evaporating black hole.

scholarly journals Relaxation to quantum equilibrium for Dirac fermions in the de Broglie–Bohm pilot-wave theory

2011 ◽  
Vol 468 (2140) ◽  
pp. 1116-1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Colin
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Wave Theory ◽  
Dirac Fermions ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Step Potential ◽  
Pilot Wave ◽  
Equilibrium Distributions ◽  
Chaotic Nature ◽  
Pilot Wave Theory ◽  
De Broglie Bohm

Numerical simulations indicate that the Born rule does not need to be postulated in the de Broglie–Bohm pilot-wave theory, but tends to arise dynamically (relaxation to quantum equilibrium). These simulations were done for a particle in a two-dimensional box whose wave function obeys the non-relativistic Schrödinger equation and is therefore scalar. The chaotic nature of the de Broglie–Bohm trajectories, thanks to the nodes of the wave function which yield to vortices, is crucial for a fast relaxation to quantum equilibrium. For spinors, we typically do not expect any node. However, in the case of the Dirac equation, the de Broglie–Bohm velocity field has vorticity even in the absence of nodes. This observation raises the question of the origin of relaxation to quantum equilibrium for fermions. In this article, we provide numerical evidence to show that Dirac particles also undergo relaxation, by simulating the evolution of various non-equilibrium distributions for two-dimensional systems (the two-dimensional Dirac oscillator and the Dirac particle in a two-dimensional spherical step potential).

scholarly journals Dynamical origin of quantum probabilities

2005 ◽  
Vol 461 (2053) ◽  
pp. 253-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antony Valentini ◽  
Hans Westman
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Estimate ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Dimensional System ◽  
Quantum Distribution ◽  
Quantum Probabilities ◽  
Pilot Wave ◽  
Standard Distribution ◽  
Two Dimensional System ◽  
De Broglie Bohm

We study the origin of the Born probability rule ρ = | ψ | 2 in the de Broglie–Bohm pilot–wave formulation of quantum theory. It is argued that quantum probabilities arise dynamically, and have a status similar to thermal probabilities in ordinary statistical mechanics. This is illustrated by numerical simulations for a two–dimensional system. We show that a simple initial ensemble, with a non–standard distribution ρ ≠ | ψ | 2 of particle positions, evolves towards the quantum distribution to high accuracy. The relaxation process ρ →| ψ | 2 is quantified in terms of a coarse–grained H –function (equal to minus the relative entropy of ρ with respect to | ψ | 2 ), which is found to decrease approximately exponentially over time, with a time constant that accords with a simple theoretical estimate.

scholarly journals On the three-dimensional spatial correlations of curved dislocation systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Pierre Anderson ◽  
Anter El-Azab
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Function ◽  
Slip System ◽  
Correlation Functions ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Coarse Graining ◽  
Dislocation Dynamics ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Spatial Correlation Function ◽  
Line System ◽  
Dislocation Densities

AbstractCoarse-grained descriptions of dislocation motion in crystalline metals inherently represent a loss of information regarding dislocation-dislocation interactions. In the present work, we consider a coarse-graining framework capable of re-capturing these interactions by means of the dislocation-dislocation correlation functions. The framework depends on a convolution length to define slip-system-specific dislocation densities. Following a statistical definition of this coarse-graining process, we define a spatial correlation function which will allow the arrangement of the discrete line system at two points—and thus the strength of their interactions at short range—to be recaptured into a mean field description of dislocation dynamics. Through a statistical homogeneity argument, we present a method of evaluating this correlation function from discrete dislocation dynamics simulations. Finally, results of this evaluation are shown in the form of the correlation of dislocation densities on the same slip-system. These correlation functions are seen to depend weakly on plastic strain, and in turn, the dislocation density, but are seen to depend strongly on the convolution length. Implications of these correlation functions in regard to continuum dislocation dynamics as well as future directions of investigation are also discussed.

THE SIMULATION OF POLYSTYRENE/NANOPARTICLES COMPOSITE MICROSPHERES USING DISSIPATIVE PARTICLE DYNAMICS

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 1250111 ◽  
Author(s):  
HAILONG XU ◽  
QIUYU ZHANG ◽  
HEPENG ZHANG ◽  
BAOLIANG ZHANG ◽  
CHANGJIE YIN
Keyword(s):  
Dissipative Particle Dynamics ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Coarse Graining ◽  
Particle Dynamics ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Polystyrene Nanoparticles ◽  
Coarse Grained Model ◽  
Composite Microspheres ◽  
Polystyrene Matrix ◽  
Materials Studio

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) was initially used to simulate the polystyrene/nanoparticle composite microspheres (PNCM) in this paper. The coarse graining model of PNCM was established. And the DPD parameterization of the model was represented in detail. The DPD repulsion parameters were calculated from the cohesive energy density which could be calculated by amorphous modules in Materials Studio. The equilibrium configuration of the simulated PNCM shows that the nanoparticles were actually "modified" with oleic acid and the modified nanoparticles were embedded in the bulk of polystyrene. As sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was located in the interface between water and polystyrene, the hydrophilic head of SDS stretched into water while the hydrophobic tailed into polystyrene. All simulated phenomena were consistent with the experimental results in preparation of polystyrene/nanoparticles composite microspheres. The effect of surface modification of nanoparticles on its dispersion in polystyrene matrix was also studied by adjusting the interaction parameters between the OA and NP beads. The final results indicated that the nanoparticles removed from the core of composite microsphere to the surface with increase of a OA-NP . All the simulated results demonstrated that our coarse–grained model was reasonable.

scholarly journals The measure problem in no-collapse (many worlds) quantum mechanics

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (03) ◽  
pp. 1730008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen D. H. Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Wave Function ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Probability Measure ◽  
Ab Initio ◽  
Subjective Probability ◽  
State Vector ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Born Rule ◽  
Many Worlds ◽  
Measure Problem

We explain the measure problem (cf. origin of the Born probability rule) in no-collapse quantum mechanics. Everett defined maverick branches of the state vector as those on which the usual Born probability rule fails to hold — these branches exhibit highly improbable behaviors, including possibly the breakdown of decoherence or even the absence of an emergent semi-classical reality. Derivations of the Born rule which originate in decision theory or subjective probability (i.e. the reasoning of individual observers) do not resolve this problem, because they are circular: they assume, a priori, that the observer occupies a non-maverick branch. An ab initio probability measure is sometimes assumed to explain why we do not occupy a maverick branch. This measure is constrained by, e.g. Gleason’s theorem or envariance to be the usual Hilbert measure. However, this ab initio measure ultimately governs the allocation of a self or a consciousness to a particular branch of the wave function, and hence invokes primitives which lie beyond the Everett wave function and beyond what we usually think of as physics. The significance of this leap has been largely overlooked, but requires serious scrutiny.

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