Published January 2009 | Version v1
Journal article

Probability and complex quantum trajectories

  • 1. Department of Physics, St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689 641 (India)

Description

It is shown that in the complex trajectory representation of quantum mechanics, the Born's Ψ*Ψ probability density can be obtained from the imaginary part of the velocity field of particles on the real axis. Extending this probability axiom to the complex plane, we first attempt to find a probability density by solving an appropriate conservation equation. The characteristic curves of this conservation equation are found to be the same as the complex paths of particles in the new representation. The boundary condition in this case is that the extended probability density should agree with the quantum probability rule along the real line. For the simple, time-independent, one-dimensional problems worked out here, we find that a conserved probability density can be derived from the velocity field of particles, except in regions where the trajectories were previously suspected to be nonviable. An alternative method to find this probability density in terms of a trajectory integral, which is easier to implement on a computer and useful for single particle solutions, is also presented. Most importantly, we show, by using the complex extension of Schrodinger equation, that the desired conservation equation can be derived from this definition of probability density

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aop.2008.09.007

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1016/j.aop.2008.09.007;
arXiv
arXiv:0809.5101v1;
PII
S0003-4916(08)00149-8;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Annals of Physics (New York)
Journal Volume
324
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
p. 220-231
ISSN
0003-4916
CODEN
APNYA6

Optional Information

Copyright
Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.