Work

Violation of Hudson's theorem in relativistic quantum mechanics

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: In nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, Hudson's theorem states that a Gaussian wave function is the only pure state corresponding to a positive Wigner function (WF). We explicitly construct non-Gaussian Dirac spinors with positive relativistic WFs. These pure relativistic states are coherent superpositions of particles and antiparticles, while the existence of positive WFs exclusive composed of particles is conjectured. These observations may open new directions in relativistic quantum information theory.

Source: Physical Review A

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.90.034102

Authors: Andre G. Campos, Renan Cabrera, Denys I. Bondar, Herschel A. Rabitz

Institution: Princeton University

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Mechanics and Applications

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Naval Research

Awards: Altering the Course of Quantum Dynamics Phenomena, CONTROL OF MOLECULAR DYNAMICS: ALGORITHMS FOR DESIGN, ANALYSIS AND IMPLEMENTATION, G8989687211