Stochastic Methods In Quantum Mechanics

This introductory survey of stochastic methods and techniques in quantum physics, functional analysis, probability theory, communications, and electrical engineering also serves as a useful and comprehensive reference volume. 1979 edition.

From the reviews: "The text is almost self-contained and requires only an elementary knowledge of probability theory at the graduate level. The book under review is recommended to mathematicians, physicists and graduate students interested in mathematical physics and stochastic processes. Furthermore, some selected chapters can be used as sub-textbooks for advanced courses on stochastic processes, quantum theory and quantum chemistry." ZAA

From the reviews: "The text is almost self-contained and requires only an elementary knowledge of probability theory at the graduate level. The book under review is recommended to mathematicians, physicists and graduate students interested in mathematical physics and stochastic processes. Furthermore, some selected chapters can be used as sub-textbooks for advanced courses on stochastic processes, quantum theory and quantum chemistry." ZAA

Practical developments in such fields as optical coherence, communication engineering, and laser technology have developed from the applications of stochastic methods. This introductory survey offers a broad view of some of the most useful stochastic methods and techniques in quantum physics, functional analysis, probability theory, communications, and electrical engineering. Starting with a history of quantum mechanics, it examines both the quantum logic approach and the operational approach, with explorations of random fields and quantum field theory. The text assumes a basic knowledge of functional analysis; although some experience with probability theory and quantum mechanics is helpful, necessary ideas and results from these two disciplines are developed as needed. A selection of exercises follows each chapter, and proofs to most of the theorems are included. A comprehensive bibliography allows researchers and students to continue in the direction of their individual interests.

We introduce the theory of chemical reaction networks and their relation to stochastic Petri nets — important ways of modeling population biology and many other fields. We explain how techniques from quantum mechanics can be used to study these models. This relies on a profound and still mysterious analogy between quantum theory and probability theory, which we explore in detail. We also give a tour of key results concerning chemical reaction networks and Petri nets. Contents: Stochastic Petri Nets The Rate Equation The Master Equation Probabilities vs Amplitudes Annihilation and Creation Operators An Example from Population Biology Feynman Diagrams The Anderson–Craciun–Kurtz Theorem An Example of the Anderson–Craciun–Kurtz Theorem A Stochastic Version of Noether's Theorem Quantum Mechanics vs Stochastic Mechanics Noether's Theorem: Quantum vs Stochastic Chemistry and the Desargues Graph Graph Laplacians Dirichlet Operators and Electrical Circuits Perron–Frobenius Theory The Deficiency Zero Theorem Example of the Deficiency Zero Theorem Example of the Anderson–Craciun–Kurtz Theorem The Deficiency of a Reaction Network Rewriting the Rate Equation The Rate Equation and Markov Processes Proof of the Deficiency Zero Theorem Noether's Theorem for Dirichlet Operators Computation and Petri Nets Summary Table Readership: Graduate students and researchers in the field of quantum and mathematical physics. Keywords: Stochastic;Quantum;Markov Process;Chemical Reaction Network;Petri NetReview: Key Features: It's a light-hearted introduction to a deep analogy between probability theory and quantum theory It explains how stochastic Petri nets can be used in modeling in biology, chemistry, and many other fields It gives new proofs of some fundamental theorems about chemical reaction networks

This book discusses quantum theory as the theory of random (Brownian) motion of small particles (electrons etc.) under external forces. Implying that the Schrödinger equation is a complex-valued evolution equation and the Schrödinger function is a complex-valued evolution function, important applications are given. Readers will learn about new mathematical methods (theory of stochastic processes) in solving problems of quantum phenomena. Readers will also learn how to handle stochastic processes in analyzing physical phenomena.

This volume contains the written versions of lectures held at the "23. Internationale Universit~tswochen fUr Kernphysik" in Schladming, Austria, in February 1984. Once again the generous support of our sponsors, the Austrian Ministry of Science and Research, the Styrian Government and others, had made it possible to organize this school. The aim of the topics chosen for the meeting was to present different aspects of stochastic methods and techniques. These methods have opened up new ways to attack problems in a broad field ranging from quantum mechanics to quantum field theory. Thanks to the efforts of the lecturers it was possible to take this development into account and show relations to areas where stochastic methods have been used for a long time. Due to limited space only short manuscript versions of the many seminars presented could be included. The lecture notes were reexamined by the authors after the school and are now published in their final form. It is a pleasure to thank all the lecturers for their efforts which made it possible to speed up publication. Thanks are also due to Mrs. Neuhold for her careful typing of the notes. H. Mitter L. Pittner Acta Physica Austriaca, Suppl. XXVI, 3-52 (1984) © by Springer-Verlag 1984 STOCHASTIC PROCESSES - QUANTUM PHYSICS+ by L. STREIT Universitat Bielefeld BiBoS D-4800 Bielefeld. FR Germany I.

over this stochastic space-time leads to the non local fields considered by G. V. Efimov. In other words, stochasticity of space-time (after being averaged on a large scale) as a self-memory makes the theory nonlocal. This allows one to consider in a unified way the effect of stochasticity (or nonlocality) in all physical processes. Moreover, the universal character of this hypothesis of space-time at small distances enables us to re-interpret the dynamics of stochastic particles and to study some important problems of the theory of stochastic processes [such as the relativistic description of diffusion, Feynman type processes, and the problem of the origin of self-turbulence in the motion of free particles within nonlinear (stochastic) mechanics]. In this direction our approach (Part II) may be useful in recent developments of the stochastic interpretation of quantum mechanics and fields due to E. Nelson, D. Kershaw, I. Fenyes, F. Guerra, de la Pena-Auerbach, J. -P. Vigier, M. Davidson, and others. In particular, as shown by N. Cufaro Petroni and J. -P. Vigier, within the discussed approach, a causal action-at-distance interpretation of a series of experiments by A. Aspect and his co-workers indicating a possible non locality property of quantum mechanics, may also be obtained. Aspect's results have recently inspired a great interest in different nonlocal theories and models devoted to an understanding of the implications of this nonlocality. This book consists of two parts.