Published January 21, 2012 | Version v1
Journal article

Communication: Quantum mechanics without wavefunctions

  • 1. Department of Mathematics, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900 (Israel)
  • 2. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Box 41061, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1061 (United States) and Department of Physics, Texas Tech University, Box 41051, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1051 (United States)

Description

We present a self-contained formulation of spin-free non-relativistic quantum mechanics that makes no use of wavefunctions or complex amplitudes of any kind. Quantum states are represented as ensembles of real-valued quantum trajectories, obtained by extremizing an action and satisfying energy conservation. The theory applies for arbitrary configuration spaces and system dimensionalities. Various beneficial ramifications--theoretical, computational, and interpretational--are discussed.

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Journal of Chemical Physics
Journal Volume
136
Journal Issue
3
Journal Page Range
p. 031102-031102.4
ISSN
0021-9606
CODEN
JCPSA6

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
44006625
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
ENERGY CONSERVATION; QUANTUM MECHANICS; QUANTUM STATES; SPIN; WAVE FUNCTIONS
Descriptors DEC
ANGULAR MOMENTUM; FUNCTIONS; MECHANICS; PARTICLE PROPERTIES

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2012 American Institute of Physics