Power series techniques for a special Schrödinger operator and related difference equations

The irreversible process of ‘wave packet collapse’ in quantum measurement contradicts the reversible characteristics of the Schrödinger equation and the entire quantum mechanics. This contradiction is actually the origin of measurement problems in quantum mechanics. How to resolve this contradiction is related to the understanding of some philosophical concepts. The Copenhagen School embraces the reversible/irreversible contradictions in quantum measurement through the principle of complementarity. Both von Neumann's measurement hypothesis and Everett's many world explanation adhere to the ‘universal position of the Schrödinger equation’, but due to their detachment from the thermodynamic mechanism analysis of quantum measurement processes, they fall into the dilemma of subjectivism or possible state materialization in ontology. Decoherence theory is a natural extension of dissipative structure theory in quantum mechanics, which helps to solve quantum measurement problems by combining the study of classical conversion mechanisms between reversibility and irreversibility in statistical mechanics. Due to the common statistical roots of the time arrow problem in classical mechanics and quantum mechanics, decoherence theory cannot be seen as a measurement theory that fully implements the ‘universal Schrödinger position’. Many contradictions in quantum mechanics may need to be cleverly resolved through various contradictions in classical physics.

Domain-partition power series in vibration analysis of variable-cross-section rods

We derive a system of TBA equations governing the exact WKB periods in one-dimensional Quantum Mechanics with arbitrary polynomial potentials. These equations provide a generalization of the ODE/IM correspondence, and they can be regarded as the solution of a Riemann-Hilbert problem in resurgent Quantum Mechanics formulated by Voros. Our derivation builds upon the solution of similar Riemann-Hilbert problems in the study of BPS spectra in mathcal{N} = 2 gauge theories and of minimal surfaces in AdS. We also show that our TBA equations, combined with exact quantization conditions, provide a powerful method to solve spectral problems in Quantum Mechanics. We illustrate our general analysis with a detailed study of PT-symmetric cubic oscillators and quartic oscillators.

The model of weak measurements is applied to various problems, related to the\ntime problem in quantum mechanics. The review and generalization of the\ntheoretical analysis of the time problem in quantum mechanics based on the\nconcept of weak measurements are presented. A question of the time interval the\nsystem spends in the specified state, when the final state of the system is\ngiven, is raised. Using the concept of weak measurements the expression for\nsuch time is obtained. The results are applied to the tunneling problem. A\nprocedure for the calculation of the asymptotic tunneling and reflection times\nis proposed. Examples for delta-form and rectangular barrier illustrate the\nobtained results. Using the concept of weak measurements the arrival time\nprobability distribution is defined by analogy with the classical mechanics.\nThe proposed procedure is suitable to the free particles and to particles\nsubjected to an external potential, as well. It is shown that such an approach\nimposes an inherent limitation to the accuracy of the arrival time definition.\n

In order to provide simple and accurate wave theory in design of offshore structure, an analytical approximation is introduced in this paper. The solution is limited to flat bottom having a constant water depth. Water is considered as inviscid, incompressible and irrotational. The solution satisfies the continuity equation, bottom boundary condition and non-linear kinematic free surface boundary condition exactly. Error for dynamic condition is quite small. The solution is suitable in description of breaking waves. The solution is presented with closed form and dispersion relation is also presented with closed form. In the last century, there have been two main approaches to the nonlinear problems. One of these is perturbation method. Stokes wave and Cnoidal wave are based on the method. The other is numerical method. Dean’s stream function theory is based on the method. In this paper, power series method was considered. The power series method can be applied to certain nonlinear differential equations (initial value problems). The series coefficients are specified by a nonlinear recurrence inherited from the differential equation. Because the non-linear wave problem is a boundary value problem, the power series method cannot be applied to the problem in general. But finite number of coefficients is necessary to describe the wave profile, truncated power series is enough. Therefore the power series method can be applied to the problem. In this case, the series coefficients are specified by a set of equations instead of recurrence. By using the set of equations, the nonlinear wave problem has been solved in this paper.

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTThe probability equals zero problem in quantum mechanics. Or, how does an electron get from first to second to third without touching second?Frank O. Ellison and C. A. Hollingsworth Cite this: J. Chem. Educ. 1976, 53, 12, 767Publication Date (Print):December 1, 1976Publication History Received3 August 2009Published online1 December 1976Published inissue 1 December 1976https://doi.org/10.1021/ed053p767RIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views154Altmetric-Citations5LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (3 MB) Get e-Alerts Get e-Alerts

We examine here, by using a simple example, two implementations of the minimum error method (MEM), a least-squares minimization for scattering problems in quantum mechanics, and show that they provide an efficient, numerically stable alternative to Kohn variational principle. MEM defines an error-functional consisting of the sum of the values of (HPsi - EPsi)2 at a set of grid points. The wave function Psi, is forced to satisfy the scattering boundary conditions and is determined by minimizing the least-squares error. We study two implementations of this idea. In one, we represent the wave function as a linear combination of Chebyshev polynomials and minimize the error by varying the coefficients of the expansion and the R-matrix (present in the asymptotic form of Psi). This leads to a linear equation for the coefficients and the R-matrix, which we solve by matrix inversion. In the other implementation, we use a conjugate-gradient procedure to minimize the error with respect to the values of Psi at the grid points and the R-matrix. The use of the Chebyshev polynomials allows an efficient and accurate calculation of the derivative of the wave function, by using Fast Chebyshev Transforms. We find that, unlike KVP, MEM is numerically stable when we use the R-matrix asymptotic condition and gives accurate wave functions in the interaction region.

Designed for a two-semester advanced undergraduate or graduate level course, this distinctive and modern textbook provides students with the physical intuition and mathematical skills to tackle even complex problems in quantum mechanics with ease and fluency. Beginning with a detailed introduction to quantum states and Dirac notation, the book then develops the overarching theoretical framework of quantum mechanics, before explaining physical quantum mechanical properties such as angular momentum and spin. Symmetries and groups in quantum mechanics, important components of current research, are covered at length. The second part of the text focuses on applications, and includes a detailed chapter on quantum entanglement, one of the most exciting modern applications of quantum mechanics, and of key importance in quantum information and computation. Numerous exercises are interspersed throughout the text, expanding upon key concepts and further developing students' understanding. A fully worked solutions manual and lecture slides are available for instructors.

Of the many ways of getting at the core of the weirdnesses in quantum mechanics, there’s one which traces back to Schrödinger’s seminal 1935 paper, and has to do with the apparent fuzzy nature of the reality described by the formalism through the wavefunction ψ. This issue, which I will be calling the Determinacy Problem, is distinct from the standard measurement problem of quantum mechanics, despite Schrödinger himself ends up conflating the two. I will argue that the Determinacy Problem is an exquisitely philosophical problem, for as it is standard when facing any phenomenon which appears to have indeterminate or fuzzy characteristics, the solutions available are to either blame the deficiencies of our language, or our lack of knowledge, or to blame the world itself. These three attitudes can already be found in the literature on quantum mechanics, either explicitly or implicitly, and they appear to motivate three very distinct research programs: high-dimensional realism, primitive ontology, and quantum indeterminacy.

Designed for a two-semester advanced undergraduate or graduate level course, this distinctive and modern textbook provides students with the physical intuition and mathematical skills to tackle even complex problems in quantum mechanics with ease and fluency. Beginning with a detailed introduction to quantum states and Dirac notation, the book then develops the overarching theoretical framework of quantum mechanics, before explaining physical quantum mechanical properties such as angular momentum and spin. Symmetries and groups in quantum mechanics, important components of current research, are covered at length. The second part of the text focuses on applications, and includes a detailed chapter on quantum entanglement, one of the most exciting modern applications of quantum mechanics, and of key importance in quantum information and computation. Numerous exercises are interspersed throughout the text, expanding upon key concepts and further developing students' understanding. A fully worked solutions manual and lecture slides are available for instructors.

Designed for a two-semester advanced undergraduate or graduate level course, this distinctive and modern textbook provides students with the physical intuition and mathematical skills to tackle even complex problems in quantum mechanics with ease and fluency. Beginning with a detailed introduction to quantum states and Dirac notation, the book then develops the overarching theoretical framework of quantum mechanics, before explaining physical quantum mechanical properties such as angular momentum and spin. Symmetries and groups in quantum mechanics, important components of current research, are covered at length. The second part of the text focuses on applications, and includes a detailed chapter on quantum entanglement, one of the most exciting modern applications of quantum mechanics, and of key importance in quantum information and computation. Numerous exercises are interspersed throughout the text, expanding upon key concepts and further developing students' understanding. A fully worked solutions manual and lecture slides are available for instructors.

Designed for a two-semester advanced undergraduate or graduate level course, this distinctive and modern textbook provides students with the physical intuition and mathematical skills to tackle even complex problems in quantum mechanics with ease and fluency. Beginning with a detailed introduction to quantum states and Dirac notation, the book then develops the overarching theoretical framework of quantum mechanics, before explaining physical quantum mechanical properties such as angular momentum and spin. Symmetries and groups in quantum mechanics, important components of current research, are covered at length. The second part of the text focuses on applications, and includes a detailed chapter on quantum entanglement, one of the most exciting modern applications of quantum mechanics, and of key importance in quantum information and computation. Numerous exercises are interspersed throughout the text, expanding upon key concepts and further developing students' understanding. A fully worked solutions manual and lecture slides are available for instructors.

Many students find quantum mechanics conceptually difficult when they first encounter the subject. In this book, the postulates and key applications of quantum mechanics are well illustrated by means of a carefully chosen set of problems, complete with detailed, step-by-step solutions. Beginning with a chapter on orders of magnitude, a variety of topics are then covered, including the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics, Schrodinger's equation, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, the harmonic oscillator, spin, time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory, the variational method, multielectron atoms, transitions and scattering. Throughout, the physical interpretation or application of certain results is highlighted, thereby providing useful insights into a wide range of systems and phenomena. This approach will make the book invaluable to anyone taking an undergraduate course in quantum mechanics.

This thesis is a contribution to the debate on the implications of quantum information theory for the foundations of quantum mechanics. In Part 1, the logical and conceptual status of various notions of information is assessed. It is emphasized that the everyday notion of information is to be firmly distinguished from the technical notions arising in information theory; however it is maintained that in both settings `information' functions as an abstract noun, hence does not refer to a particular or substance (the worth of this point is illustrated in application to quantum teleportation). The claim that `Information is Physical' is assessed and argued to face a destructive dilemma. Accordingly, the slogan may not be understood as an ontological claim, but at best, as a methodological one. The reflections of Bruckner and Zeilinger (2001) and Deutsch and Hayden (2000) on the nature of information in quantum mechanics are critically assessed and some results presented on the characterization of entanglement in the Deutsch-Hayden formalism. Some philosophical aspects of quantum computation are discussed and general morals drawn concerning the nature of quantum information theory. In Part II, following some preliminary remarks, two particular information-theoretic approaches to the foundations of quantum mechanics are assessed in detail. It is argued that Zeilinger's (1999) Foundational Principle is unsuccessful as a foundational principle for quantum mechanics. The information-theoretic characterization theorem of Clifton, Bub and Halvorson (2003) is assessed more favourably, but the generality of the approach is questioned and it is argued that the implications of the theorem for the traditional foundational problems in quantum mechanics remains obscure.

In June 2025, the Voprosy filosofii journal hosted a jubilee “round table” “Philo­sophical Problems of Quantum Mechanics: Historical Reality and Development Prospects,” dedicated to the centenary of the emergence of the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics. The round table was organized by the De­partment of Philosophy of the Natural Sciences at the Institute of Philosophy of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The discussion brought together specialists in the philosophy and methodology of science, in the philosophical problems of quantum mechanics, as well as natural scientists and historians of science. Participants focused primarily on the conceptual aspects of the mathematical framework of quantum mechanics and on the question of which event should be considered the true “birthdate” of this field of knowledge. In addition, the inter­disciplinary dialogue clarified the trajectories of interaction between quantum mechanics and the social and human sciences in today’s changing world. A spe­cial topic of discussion concerned the philosophical research programs that influ­enced the development of quantum mechanics, and the extent to which quantum mechanics itself has significantly shaped these programs (including eco-philo­sophical ones). Most participants agreed that dialectics and phenomenology (par­ticularly those of G.W.F. Hegel, M. Heidegger, G.G. Shpet, and others) are acquiring special importance today for comprehending the fundamental founda­tions of quantum mechanics. Another original perspective in the debate was linked to examining the philosophical meanings of logic and hermeneutics and assessing their methodological potential in research on quantum mechanics.