Conceptual inconsistencies in finite-dimensional quantum and classical mechanics

Denys I. Bondar; Renan Cabrera; Herschel A. Rabitz

doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.88.012116

Conceptual inconsistencies in finite-dimensional quantum and classical mechanics

Denys I. Bondar, Renan Cabrera, Herschel A. Rabitz

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Utilizing operational dynamic modeling, we demonstrate that any finite-dimensional representation of quantum and classical dynamics violates the Ehrenfest theorems. Other peculiarities are also revealed, including the nonexistence of the free particle and ambiguity in defining potential forces. Non-Hermitian mechanics is shown to have the same problems. This work compromises a popular belief that finite-dimensional mechanics is a straightforward discretization of the corresponding infinite-dimensional formulation.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	012116
Journal	Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
Volume	88
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.88.012116
State	Published - Jul 16 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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10.1103/PhysRevA.88.012116

Cite this

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Conceptual inconsistencies in finite-dimensional quantum and classical mechanics

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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