Foundations of Physics最新文献

{"title":"Revisiting the Charged Harmonic Oscillator in a Uniform Electric Field","authors":"K. Bakke","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00796-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00796-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We discuss the two-dimensional harmonic oscillator in the presence of a uniform radial electric field around a cylindrical cavity. By including the Aharonov-Bohm flux and by assuming the existence and the absence of an infinity wall located at the radius of the cylindrical cavity, we show that bound states can be achieved around the cylindrical cavity in this two-dimensional charged harmonic oscillator in a uniform radial electric field.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142200092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-Normalizing Path Integrals","authors":"Ivan M. Burbano,&nbsp;Francisco Calderón","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00779-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00779-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The normalization in the path integral approach to quantum field theory, in contrast with statistical field theory, can contain physical information. The main claim of this paper is that the inner product on the space of field configurations, one of the fundamental pieces of data required to be added to quantize a classical field theory, determines the normalization of the path integral. In fact, dimensional analysis shows that the introduction of this structure necessarily introduces a scale that is left unfixed by the classical theory. We study the dependence of the theory on this scale. This allows us to explore mechanisms that can be used to fix the normalization based on cutting and gluing different integrals. “Self-normalizing” path integrals, those independent of the scale, play an important role in this process. Furthermore, we show that the scale dependence encodes other important physical data: we use it to give a conceptually clear derivation of the chiral anomaly. Several explicit examples, including the scalar and compact bosons in different geometries, supplement our discussion.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142200096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Interplay Between Wave Function Realism and Gauge Symmetry Interpretations in Quantum Mechanics","authors":"Marco Sanchioni","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00797-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00797-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This paper examines the tension between wave function realism and interpretations of gauge symmetries within quantum mechanics. We explore how traditional views of gauge symmetries as descriptive redundancies challenge the principles of wave function realism, which regards the wave function as a real entity. By noting that, through the case study of a quantum particle in an electromagnetic field, gauge transformations impact the wave function’s phase, we present a dilemma for wave function realism. We discuss potential resolutions, including redefining ontological commitments to accommodate gauge-invariance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142200093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anti-foundationalist Coherentism as an Ontology for Relational Quantum Mechanics","authors":"Emma Jaura","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00794-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00794-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>There have been a number of recent attempts to identify the best metaphysical framework for capturing Rovelli’s Relational Quantum Mechanics (RQM). All such accounts commit to some form of fundamentalia, whether they be traditional objects, physical relations, events or ‘flashes’, or the cosmos as a fundamental whole. However, Rovelli’s own recommendation is that ‘a natural philosophical home for RQM is an anti-foundationalist perspective' (Rovelli in Philos Trans R Soc 376:10, 2018). This gives us some prima facie reason to explore options beyond these foundationalist frameworks, and take seriously a picture that lacks fundamentalia. I construct an argument from elimination in favour of an anti-foundationalist interpretation of RQM. The argument notes that <i>priority monism</i> and <i>priority pluralism</i> are exhaustive foundationalist options, and then shows that there are reasons to reject their union with RQM. I finish by recommending <i>metaphysical coherentism</i> as a promising anti-foundationalist alternative, which captures the key characteristics of RQM through accepting symmetrical dependence, whilst avoiding challenges by jettisoning any commitment to fundamental entities.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10701-024-00794-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142200094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"sQFT: An Autonomous Explanation of the Interactions of Quantum Particles","authors":"K.-H. Rehren,&nbsp;L. T. Cardoso,&nbsp;C. Gass,&nbsp;J. M. Gracia-Bondía,&nbsp;B. Schroer,&nbsp;J. C. Várilly","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00795-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00795-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Successful applications of a conceptually novel setup of Quantum Field Theory, that accounts for all subtheories of the Standard Model (QED, Electroweak Interaction and Higgs, Yang–Mills and QCD) and beyond (Helicity 2), call for a perspective view in a broader conceptual context. The setting is “autonomous” in the sense of being intrinsically quantum. Its principles are: Hilbert space, Poincaré symmetry and causality. Its free quantum fields are obtained from Wigner’s unitary representations of the Poincaré group, with only physical and observable degrees of freedom. A “quantization” of an “underlying” classical theory is not needed. It allows renormalizable perturbation theory with interactions whose detailed structure, and in some cases even the particle content, is predicted by internal consistency. The results confirm and extend observable predictions for the interactions of the Standard Model without assuming a “principle” of gauge invariance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10701-024-00795-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142200095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantum Physics, Digital Computers, and Life from a Holistic Perspective","authors":"George F. R. Ellis","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00792-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00792-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Quantum physics is a linear theory, so it is somewhat puzzling that it can underlie very complex systems such as digital computers and life. This paper investigates how this is possible. Physically, such complex systems are necessarily modular hierarchical structures, with a number of key features. Firstly, they cannot be described by a single wave function: only local wave functions can exist, rather than a single wave function for a living cell, a cat, or a brain. Secondly, the quantum to classical transition is characterised by contextual wave-function collapse shaped by macroscopic elements that can be described classically. Thirdly, downward causation occurs in the physical hierarchy in two key ways: by the downward influence of time dependent constraints, and by creation, modification, or deletion of lower level elements. Fourthly, there are also logical modular hierarchical structures supported by the physical ones, such as algorithms and computer programs, They are able to support arbitrary logical operations, which can influence physical outcomes as in computer aided design and 3-d printing. Finally, complex systems are necessarily open systems, with heat baths playing a key role in their dynamics and providing local arrows of time that agree with the cosmological direction of time that is established by the evolution of the universe.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10701-024-00792-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142200097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Position as an Independent Variable and the Emergence of the 1/2-Time Fractional Derivative in Quantum Mechanics","authors":"Marcus W. Beims,&nbsp;Arlans J. S. de Lara","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00787-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00787-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Using the position as an independent variable, and time as the dependent variable, we derive the function <span>({mathcal{P}}^{(pm )}=pm sqrt{2m({mathcal{H}}-{mathcal{V}}(q))})</span>, which generates the space evolution under the potential <span>({mathcal{V}}(q))</span> and Hamiltonian <span>({mathcal{H}})</span>. No parametrization is used. Canonically conjugated variables are the time and minus the Hamiltonian (<span>(-{mathcal{H}})</span>). While the classical dynamics do not change, the corresponding Quantum operator <span>({{{hat{mathcal P}}}}^{(pm )})</span> naturally leads to a 1/2-fractional time evolution, consistent with a recent proposed space–time symmetric formalism of the Quantum Mechanics. Using Dirac’s procedure, separation of variables is possible, and while the two-coupled position-independent Dirac equations depend on the 1/2-fractional derivative, the two-coupled time-independent Dirac equations lead to positive and negative shifts in the potential, proportional to the force. Both equations couple the (±) solutions of <span>({{{hat{mathcal P}}}}^{(pm )})</span> and the kinetic energy <span>({mathcal{K}}_{0})</span> (separation constant) is the coupling strength. Thus, we obtain a pair of coupled states for systems with finite forces, not necessarily stationary states. The potential shifts for the harmonic oscillator (HO) are <span>(pm {hbar {omega}} /2)</span>, and the corresponding pair of states are coupled for <span>({mathcal{K}}_{0}ne 0)</span>. No time evolution is present for <span>({mathcal{K}}_{0}=0)</span>, and the ground state with energy <span>({hbar {omega}} /2)</span> is stable. For <span>({mathcal{K}}_{0}&gt;0)</span>, the ground state becomes coupled to the state with energy <span>(-{hbar {omega}} /2)</span>, and <i>this coupling</i> allows to describe higher excited states in the HO. Energy quantization of the HO leads to the quantization of <span>({mathcal{K}}_{0}=k{hbar {omega}})</span> (<span>(k=1,2,ldots)</span>). For the one-dimensional Hydrogen atom, the potential shifts become imaginary and position-dependent. Decoupled case <span>({mathcal{K}}_{0}=0)</span> leads to plane-waves-like solutions at the threshold. Above the threshold (<span>({mathcal{K}}_{0}&gt;0)</span>), we obtain a plane-wave-like solution, and for the bounded states (<span>({mathcal{K}}_{0}&lt;0)</span>), the wave-function becomes similar to the exact solutions but squeezed closer to the nucleus.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141771351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relational Quantum Mechanics and Contextuality","authors":"Calum Robson","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00788-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00788-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This paper discusses the question of stable facts in relational quantum mechanics (RQM). I examine how the approach to quantum logic in the consistent histories formalism can be used to clarify what infomation about a system can be shared between different observers. I suggest that the mathematical framework for Consistent Histories can and should be incorporated into RQM, whilst being clear on the interpretational differences between the two approaches. Finally I briefly discuss two related issues: the similarities and differences between special relativity and RQM and the recent Cross-Perspectival Links modification to RQM.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10701-024-00788-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141719728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aharonov–Bohm Effect as a Diffusion Phenomenon","authors":"Charalampos Antonakos,&nbsp;Andreas F. Terzis","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00786-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00786-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This paper presents a hydrodynamical view of the Aharonov–Bohm effect, using Nelson’s formulation of quantum mechanics. Our aim is to gain a better understanding of the mysteries behind this effect, such as why in the prototype Aharonov–Bohm system with a cylinder the motion of a particle is affected in a region where there is no magnetic field. Our main purpose is to use Nelson’s formulation to describe the effect and demonstrate that it can be explained by the direct action of the current surrounding the magnetic field region. Although conventional theories try to present vector potentials as more physically significant than magnetic fields, our purpose is to demonstrate that such debate regarding the comparison between vector potentials and magnetic fields should not exist at all; within our context, magnetic fields and vector potentials serve as tools for finding other fundamental hydrodynamical quantities that arise from the interaction between the quantum background fields described by Nelson’s quantum theory, and thus, play a secondary role at the explanation of this phenomenon. So, in this paper, we do not intend to participate in a debate regarding whether we should give a local (based on e/m forces and e/m fields) or non-local (based on vector potentials) description of the phenomenon. Finally, we investigate the relationship between hidden variables and quantum fluctuations, their role in this phenomenon and their connection with the gauge transformation of the vector potential, that plays a leading role in quantum AB systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141719729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"On the Reality of the Quantum State Once Again: A No-Go Theorem for (psi)-Ontic Models?","authors":"Shan Gao","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00789-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00789-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In a recent paper (Found Phys 54:14, 2024), Carcassi, Oldofredi and Aidala concluded that the <span>(psi)</span>-ontic models defined by Harrigan and Spekkens cannot be consistent with quantum mechanics, since the information entropy of a mixture of non-orthogonal states are different in these two theories according to their information theoretic analysis. In this paper, I argue that this no-go theorem for <span>(psi)</span>-ontic models is false by explaining the physical origin of the von Neumann entropy in quantum mechanics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141644324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}