Process, Distinction, Groupoids and Clifford Algebras: an Alternative View of the Quantum Formalism

DOI10.1007/978-3-642-12821-9_12zbMATH Open1266.81011arXiv1211.2107OpenAlexW2999713197WikidataQ64357945 ScholiaQ64357945MaRDI QIDQ3000930FDOQ3000930

Basil Hiley

Publication date: 31 May 2011

Published in: New Structures for Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: In this paper we start from a basic notion of process, which we structure into two groupoids, one orthogonal and one symplectic. By introducing additional structure, we convert these groupoids into orthogonal and symplectic Clifford algebras respectively. We show how the orthogonal Clifford algebra, which include the Schr"oodinger, Pauli and Dirac formalisms, describe the classical light-cone structure of space-time, as well as providing a basis for the description of quantum phenomena. By constructing an orthogonal Clifford bundle with a Dirac connection, we make contact with quantum mechanics through the Bohm formalism which emerges quite naturally from the connection, showing that it is a structural feature of the mathematics. We then generalise the approach to include the symplectic Clifford algebra, which leads us to a non-commutative geometry with projections onto shadow manifolds. These shadow manifolds are none other than examples of the phase space constructed by Bohm. We also argue that this provides us with a mathematical structure that fits the implicate-explicate order proposed by Bohm.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1211.2107

zbMATH Keywords

quantum mechanicsformalism

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05)

Cited In (9)

• Quantum Trajectories: Dirac, Moyal and Bohm
• The Clifford algebra of the density matrix: an elementary approach
• From Bohm's vision of quantum processes to quantum field theory ... to the transactional approach. Variations on the theme
• Causal categories: relativistically interacting processes
• Being, becoming and the undivided universe: a dialogue between relational blockworld and the implicate order concerning the unification of relativity and quantum theory
• Clifford algebras in symplectic geometry and quantum mechanics
• The notion of order in mathematics and physics. Similarity, difference and indistinguishability
• Clifford algebras and the Dirac-Bohm quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation
• Self-dual Maxwell fields from Clifford analysis

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