Investigating puzzling aspects of the quantum theory by means of its hydrodynamic formulation

DOI10.1007/S10701-015-9917-2zbMATH Open1326.81012arXiv1501.05783OpenAlexW1922318364MaRDI QIDQ892920FDOQ892920

Authors: A. S. Sanz 

Publication date: 12 November 2015

Published in: Foundations of Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Bohmian mechanics, a hydrodynamic formulation of the quantum theory, constitutes a useful tool to understand the role of the phase as the mechanism responsible for the dynamical evolution displayed by quantum systems. This role is analyzed and discussed here in the context of quantum interference, considering to this end two well-known scenarios, namely Young's two-slit experiment and Wheeler's delayed choice experiment. A numerical implementation of the first scenario is used to show how interference in a coherent superposition of two counter-propagating wave packets can be seen and explained in terms of an effective model consisting of a single wave packet scattered off an attractive hard wall. The outcomes from this model are then applied to the analysis of Wheeler's delayed choice experiment, also recreated by means of a reliable realistic simulation. Both examples illustrate quite well how the Bohmian formulation helps to explain in a natural way (and therefore to demystify) aspects of the quantum theory typically regarded as paradoxical. In other words, they show that a proper understanding of quantum phase dynamics immediately removes any trace of unnecessary artificial wave-particle arguments.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1501.05783

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zbMATH Keywords

interferencevelocity fieldBohmian mechanicsquantum phaseYoung two-slit experimentWheeler delayed-choice experiment

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations (81P15) Stochastic mechanics (including stochastic electrodynamics) (81P20)

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Cited In (9)

• Evaluating Bohm’s quantum force in the scattering process by a classical potential
• How far can a pragmatist go into quantum theory? A critical view of our current understanding of quantum phenomena
• Hydrodynamics of superfluid quantum space: de Broglie interpretation of the quantum mechanics
• Novel effect induced by spacetime curvature in quantum hydrodynamics
• Interfering quantum trajectories without which-way information
• An account of quantum interference from a hydrodynamical perspective
• On the self-interference in electron scattering: Copenhagen, Bohmian and geometrical interpretations of quantum mechanics
• Understanding interference experiments with polarized light through photon trajectories
• Two-particle interference in standard and Bohmian quantum mechanics

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