Path Integrals and Reality
Path Integrals and Reality
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路径积分和现实
DOI：
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发表时间：
2013
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通讯作者：
A. Kent
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文献类型：
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作者：
A. Kent
我们定义了{it real path quantum theory}的概念，这是量子理论的一种现实主义概括，其中假设封闭量子系统实际遵循的构型空间路径是概率选择的。这是一个定义路径概率的假设，我们建议由包含路径振幅和量化路径分离的距离函数的表达式决定。我们提出了路径概率假设的一种可能形式，并探索了距离函数的可能选择，包括适合于洛伦兹或实路径量子理论的一般协变版本的选择。我们建立了量子干涉测量的玩具模型，并表明在这些模型中，概率假设和特定距离函数确实给出了物理上合理的路径本体。选择这些函数可以预测微观量子系统的量子干涉和宏观量子系统的干涉失效。更一般地说，它们预测光束在距离较近时的干扰，以及由距离函数决定的光束在距离较远时的干扰失效。如果以目前相对不受约束的形式认真对待，实路量子理论因此激发了在所有未探索的体制中进行量子干涉的实验测试，这些体制由潜在的物理有趣参数定义，包括光束物体的质量、光束分离距离、光束分离时间以及许多其他参数。我们讨论由这些观点引起的开放性问题。
We define the idea of {it real path quantum theory}, a realist generalisation of quantum theory in which it is postulated that the configuration space path actually followed by a closed quantum system is probabilistically chosen. This is done a postulate defining probabilities for paths, which we propose are determined by an expression involving path amplitudes and a distance function that quantifies path separation. We suggest a possible form for a path probability postulate and explore possible choices of distance function, including choices suitable for Lorentz or generally covariant versions of real path quantum theory. We set out toy models of quantum interferometry and show that in these models the probability postulate and specific distance functions do indeed give a physically sensible path ontology. These functions can be chosen so as to predict quantum interference for interference of microscopic quantum systems and the failure of interference for macroscopic quantum systems. More generally, they predict interference when the beams are close, and its failure when they are far apart, as determined by the distance function. If taken seriously in its present relatively unconstrained form, real path quantum theory thus motivates experimental tests of quantum interference in all unexplored regimes defined by potentially physically interesting parameters, including the mass of the beam object, the beam separation distance, the beam separation time, and many others. We discuss open questions raised by these ideas.