Genesis of quantum nonlocality

We revisit the problem of an otherwise classical particle immersed in the zero-point radiation field, with the purpose of tracing the origin of the nonlocality characteristic of Schrödingerʼs equation. The Fokker–Planck-type equation in the particleʼs phase-space leads to an infinite hierarchy of eq...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics letters. A 2011-04, Vol.375 (16), p.1720-1723
Main Authors: de la Peña, L., Valdés-Hernández, A., Cetto, A.M., França, H.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Continuity equation
Fluctuation
Flux
Foundations of quantum mechanics
Genesis
Hierarchies
Mathematical analysis
Origins
Phase-space quantum mechanics
Quantum fluctuations
Quantum nonlocality
Rest
Solid state physics
Stochastic processes
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Summary:We revisit the problem of an otherwise classical particle immersed in the zero-point radiation field, with the purpose of tracing the origin of the nonlocality characteristic of Schrödingerʼs equation. The Fokker–Planck-type equation in the particleʼs phase-space leads to an infinite hierarchy of equations in configuration space. In the radiationless limit the first two equations decouple from the rest. The first is the continuity equation; the second one, for the particle flux, contains a nonlocal term due to the momentum fluctuations impressed by the field. These equations are shown to lead to Schrödingerʼs equation. Nonlocality (obtained here for the one-particle system) appears thus as a property of the description, not of Nature. ► The zpf leads to a hierarchy of equations for an otherwise classical particle. ► In the radiationless limit the first two equations decouple from the rest. ► Bohmʼs quantum potential emerges from the momentum fluctuations. ► The ensuing nonlocal statistical to description is equivalent Schrödingerʼs equation. ► Quantum nonlocality appears thus as an artifact of the reduced description.
ISSN:0375-9601
1873-2429
DOI:10.1016/j.physleta.2011.02.024