Possible implications of exponential decay (Q1802802)

Semiclassical concepts are developed which could make the appearance of a logarithmic nonlinearity in a Schrödinger-type equation plausible. Extending previous work by Białynicki-Birula and Mycielski (BBM), this approach is based on the introduction of a novel wave function describing the center of mass (CM) motion of unstable particles or composite systems subject to statistical changes of their internal quantum state. The element of statistical randomness associated with a purely exponential decay law (if that exists) suggest the use of thermodynamic concepts like entropy and free energy. The entropy is associated with the probability of existence of the state in time and space. These concepts are applied only to a domain ``blurred'' by the quantum uncertainty principle where the problematic definition of a time and entropy operator might be possible. The paper consists of three main parts. Section 1 develops an extended nonrelativistic equation of motion. The proposed equation reinterprets the BBM equation, and for stable systems it reduces to the Schrödinger equation. In Section 2, the family of localized, nonspreading ground-state solutions to the BBM equation (the ``gaussons'') is extended, in two and three spatial dimensions, to states classified by finite quantized angular momenta and definite values of entropy. The statistical behavior of CM systems and their electromagnetic interaction are investigated. In Section 3, implications of these concepts are outlined with emphasis on possible experimental manifestations.