Autonomous quantum to classical transitions and the generalized imaging theorem
The mechanism of the transition of a dynamical system from quantum to classical mechanics is of continuing interest. Practically it is of importance for the interpretation of multi-particle coincidence measurements performed at macroscopic distances from a microscopic reaction zone. Here we prove th...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2016-01-01
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| Series: | New Journal of Physics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/18/3/033028 |
| _version_ | 1797750997356904448 |
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| author | John S Briggs James M Feagin |
| author_facet | John S Briggs James M Feagin |
| author_sort | John S Briggs |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The mechanism of the transition of a dynamical system from quantum to classical mechanics is of continuing interest. Practically it is of importance for the interpretation of multi-particle coincidence measurements performed at macroscopic distances from a microscopic reaction zone. Here we prove the generalized imaging theorem which shows that the spatial wave function of any multi-particle quantum system, propagating over distances and times large on an atomic scale but still microscopic, and subject to deterministic external fields and particle interactions, becomes proportional to the initial momentum wave function where the position and momentum coordinates define a classical trajectory . Currently, the quantum to classical transition is considered to occur via decoherence caused by stochastic interaction with an environment. The imaging theorem arises from unitary Schrödinger propagation and so is valid without any environmental interaction. It implies that a simultaneous measurement of both position and momentum will define a unique classical trajectory, whereas a less complete measurement of say position alone can lead to quantum interference effects. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T16:41:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e80bdd6bcdb24fad9dbba845032ffef8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1367-2630 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T16:41:58Z |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | New Journal of Physics |
| spelling | doaj.art-e80bdd6bcdb24fad9dbba845032ffef82023-08-08T14:29:34ZengIOP PublishingNew Journal of Physics1367-26302016-01-0118303302810.1088/1367-2630/18/3/033028Autonomous quantum to classical transitions and the generalized imaging theoremJohn S Briggs0James M Feagin1Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg , Freiburg, GermanyDepartment of Physics, California State University-Fullerton , Fullerton, CA 9282, USAThe mechanism of the transition of a dynamical system from quantum to classical mechanics is of continuing interest. Practically it is of importance for the interpretation of multi-particle coincidence measurements performed at macroscopic distances from a microscopic reaction zone. Here we prove the generalized imaging theorem which shows that the spatial wave function of any multi-particle quantum system, propagating over distances and times large on an atomic scale but still microscopic, and subject to deterministic external fields and particle interactions, becomes proportional to the initial momentum wave function where the position and momentum coordinates define a classical trajectory . Currently, the quantum to classical transition is considered to occur via decoherence caused by stochastic interaction with an environment. The imaging theorem arises from unitary Schrödinger propagation and so is valid without any environmental interaction. It implies that a simultaneous measurement of both position and momentum will define a unique classical trajectory, whereas a less complete measurement of say position alone can lead to quantum interference effects.https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/18/3/033028quantum to classical transitionthe imaging theoremdecoherence03.65.Aa03.65.Sq03.65.Ta |
| spellingShingle | John S Briggs James M Feagin Autonomous quantum to classical transitions and the generalized imaging theorem New Journal of Physics quantum to classical transition the imaging theorem decoherence 03.65.Aa 03.65.Sq 03.65.Ta |
| title | Autonomous quantum to classical transitions and the generalized imaging theorem |
| title_full | Autonomous quantum to classical transitions and the generalized imaging theorem |
| title_fullStr | Autonomous quantum to classical transitions and the generalized imaging theorem |
| title_full_unstemmed | Autonomous quantum to classical transitions and the generalized imaging theorem |
| title_short | Autonomous quantum to classical transitions and the generalized imaging theorem |
| title_sort | autonomous quantum to classical transitions and the generalized imaging theorem |
| topic | quantum to classical transition the imaging theorem decoherence 03.65.Aa 03.65.Sq 03.65.Ta |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/18/3/033028 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT johnsbriggs autonomousquantumtoclassicaltransitionsandthegeneralizedimagingtheorem AT jamesmfeagin autonomousquantumtoclassicaltransitionsandthegeneralizedimagingtheorem |