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Title: Communication: Quantum mechanics without wavefunctions

Abstract

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.

Authors:
 [1];  [2]
  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)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22047157
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Chemical Physics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 136; Journal Issue: 3; Other Information: (c) 2012 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0021-9606
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; ENERGY CONSERVATION; QUANTUM MECHANICS; QUANTUM STATES; SPIN; WAVE FUNCTIONS

Citation Formats

Schiff, Jeremy, and Poirier, Bill. Communication: Quantum mechanics without wavefunctions. United States: N. p., 2012. Web. doi:10.1063/1.3680558.
Schiff, Jeremy, & Poirier, Bill. Communication: Quantum mechanics without wavefunctions. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3680558
Schiff, Jeremy, and Poirier, Bill. 2012. "Communication: Quantum mechanics without wavefunctions". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3680558.
@article{osti_22047157,
title = {Communication: Quantum mechanics without wavefunctions},
author = {Schiff, Jeremy and Poirier, Bill},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {10.1063/1.3680558},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22047157}, journal = {Journal of Chemical Physics},
issn = {0021-9606},
number = 3,
volume = 136,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2012},
month = {Sat Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2012}
}