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Daniel Bedingham

Publications and source records attributed to Daniel Bedingham.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

On the CSL Scalar Field Relativistic Collapse Model

The CSL dynamical collapse structure, adapted to the relativistically invariant model where the collapse-generating operator is a one-dimensional scalar field $\hat\phi(x,t)$ (mass $m$) is discussed. A complete solution for the density matrix is given, for an initial state $|\psi,0\rangle=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}[|L\rangle+|R\rangle]$ when the Hamiltonian $\hat H$ is set equal to 0, and when $\hat H$ is the free field Hamiltonian. Here $|L\rangle, |R\rangle$ are coherent states which represent clumps of particles, with mean particle number density $N\chi_{i}^{2}(x)$, where $\chi_{1}(x),\chi_{1}(x) $ are gaussians of width $\sigma>>m^{-1}$ with mean positions separated by distance $>>\sigma$. It is shown that, with high probability, the solution for $\hat H=0$ (identical to the short time solution for $\hat H\neq 0$) favors collapse toward eigenstates of the scalar field whose eigenvalues are close to $\sim\chi_{i}(x)$. Thus, this collapse dynamics results in essentially one clump of particles. However, eventually particle production dominates the density matrix since, as is well known, the collapse generates energy/sec-volume of every particle momentum in equal amounts. Because of the particle production, this is not an experimentally viable physical theory but, as is emphasized by the discussion, it is a sound relativistic collapse model, with sensible collapse behavior.

quant-ph

Time symmetry in wave function collapse

The notion of a physical collapse of the wave function is embodied in dynamical collapse models. These involve a modification of the unitary evolution of the wave function such as to give a dynamical account of collapse. The resulting dynamics is at first sight time asymmetric for the simple reason that the wave function depends on those collapse events in the past but not those in the future. Here we show that dynamical wave function collapse models admit a general description that has no inbuilt direction of time. Given some simple constraints, we show that there exist empirically equivalent pictures of collapsing wave functions in both time directions, each satisfying the same dynamical rules. A preferred direction is singled out only by the asymmetric initial and final time constraints on the state of the Universe.

quant-ph

Detecting continuous spontaneous localisation with charged bodies in a Paul trap

Continuous spontaneous localisation (CSL) is a model that captures the effects of a class of extensions to quantum theory which are expected to result from quantum gravity, and is such that wavefunction collapse is a physical process. The rate of such a process could be very much lower than the upper bounds set by searches to date, and yet still modify greatly the interpretation of quantum mechanics and solve the quantum measurement problem. Consequently experiments are sought to explore this. We describe an experiment that has the potential to extend sensitivity to CSL by many orders of magnitude. The method is to detect heating of the motion of charged macroscopic objects confined in a Paul trap. We discuss the detection and the chief noise sources. We find that CSL with standard parameters could be observed using a vibration-isolated ion trap of size 1 cm at ultra-low pressure, with optical interferometric detection.

quant-ph

Relativistic collapse dynamics and black hole information loss

We study a proposal for the resolution of the black hole information puzzle within the context of modified versions of quantum theory involving spontaneous reduction of the quantum state. The theories of this kind, which were developed in order to address the so called "measurement problem" in quantum theory have, in the past, been framed in a non-relativistic setting and in that form they were previously applied to the black hole information problem. Here, and for the first time, we show in a simple toy model, a treatment of the problem within a fully relativistic setting. We also discuss the issues that the present analysis leaves as open problems to be dealt with in future refinements of the present approach.

gr-qc

The thermodynamic cost of quantum operations

The amount of heat generated by computers is rapidly becoming one of the main problems for developing new generations of information technology. The thermodynamics of computation sets the ultimate physical bounds on heat generation. A lower bound is set by the Landauer Limit, at which computation becomes thermodynamically reversible. For classical computation there is no physical principle which prevents this limit being reached, and approaches to it are already being experimentally tested. In this paper we show that for quantum computation there is an unavoidable excess heat generation that renders it inherently thermodynamically irreversible. The Landauer Limit cannot, in general, be reached by quantum computers. We show the existence of a lower bound to the heat generated by quantum computing that exceeds that given by the Landauer Limit, give the special conditions where this excess cost may be avoided, and show how classical computing falls within these special conditions.

quant-ph

Time symmetry in wave function collapse models

A framework for wave function collapse models that is symmetric under time reversal is presented. Within this framework there are equivalent pictures of collapsing wave functions evolving in both time directions. The backwards-in-time Born rule can be broken by an initial condition on the Universe resulting in asymmetric behaviour. Similarly the forwards-in-time Born rule can in principle be broken by a final condition on the Universe.

quant-ph

Time reversal symmetry and collapse models

Collapse models are modifications of quantum theory where the wave function is treated as physically real and the collapse of the wave function is a physical process. This appears to introduce a time reversal asymmetry into the dynamics of the wave function since the collapses affect only the future state. This paper challenges this conclusion, showing that in three different examples of time asymmetries associated with collapse models, if the physically real part of the model can be reduced to the locations in space and time about which collapses occur, then such a model works both forward and backward in time, in each case satisfying the Born rule. Despite the apparent asymmetry of the collapse process, these models in fact have time reversal symmetry. Any physically observed time asymmetries that arise in such models are due to the asymmetric imposition of initial or final time boundary conditions, rather than from an inherent asymmetry in the dynamical law. This is the standard explanation of time asymmetric behaviour resulting from time symmetric laws.

quant-ph

Correlated random walks caused by dynamical wavefunction collapse

Wavefunction collapse models modify Schr\"odinger's equation so that it describes the collapse of a superposition of macroscopically distinguishable states as a dynamical process. This provides a basis for the resolution of the quantum measurement problem. An additional generic consequence of the collapse mechanism is that it causes particles to exhibit a tiny random diffusive motion. Here it is shown that for the continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) model---one of the most well developed collapse models---the diffusions of two sufficiently nearby particles are positively correlated. An experimental test of this effect is proposed in which random displacements of pairs of free nanoparticles are measured after they have been simultaneously released from nearby traps. The experiment must be carried out at sufficiently low temperature and pressure in order for the collapse effects to dominate over the ambient environmental noise. It is argued that these constraints can be satisfied by current technologies for a large region of the viable parameter space of the CSL model. The effect disappears as the separation between particles exceeds the CSL length scale. The test therefore provides a means of bounding this length scale.

quant-ph

A test of the continuous spontaneous localization model involving two particles

We describe a previously unexplored effect of the continuous spontaneous localization model whereby a correlation develops in the distributions of two nearby non-interacting particles following a period of diffusion. We propose the use of this effect as an experimental test differentiating between the continuous spontaneous localization model and standard quantum theory. The test involves building a joint probability distribution for the locations of the two particles by repeatedly releasing them from two nearby traps and subsequently measuring their positions after a brief period of time. We examine the scales of time, trap size, and particle mass necessary for observation.

quant-ph

Effects of the continuous spontaneous localization model in the regime of large localization length scale

Working in the limit in which the localization length scale is large compared to other relevant length scales we examine three experimental situations with the continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) model---a well-motivated alternative to standard quantum theory. These are the two-slit experiment; scattering from a potential barrier; and the release of two non-interacting particles simultaneously from a potential trap. In each case we calculate the diagonal part of the time evolved density matrix giving a probability density function over final measured states. The case of the two-slit experiment is already well understood and we reproduce some known conditions for observing loss of interference. The other examples have not previously been examined in the context of CSL. For scattering from a potential barrier we find that the probability of reflection is unchanged by CSL, however, the momentum state is spread in a characteristic way. For the case of two particles released simultaneously from a trap we find that it is more likely that the particles diffuse in the same direction than would happen if the particles behaved independently. We assess the possibility of observing these effects.

quant-ph

Single particle energy diffusion from relativistic spontaneous localization

Energy diffusion due to spontaneous localization (SL) for a relativistically-fast moving particle is examined. SL is an alternative to standard quantum theory in which quantum state reduction is treated as a random physical process which is incorporated into the Schr\"odinger equation in an observer-independent way. These models make predictions in conflict with standard quantum theory one of which is non conservation of energy. On the basis of proposed relativistic extensions of SL it is argued that for a single localized particle, non-relativistic SL should remain valid in the rest frame of the particle. The implication is that relativistic calculations can be performed by transforming non-relativistic results from the particle rest frame to the frame of an inertial observer. This is demonstrated by considering a relativistic stream of non-interacting particles of cosmological origin and showing how their energy distribution evolves as a result of SL as they traverse the Universe. A solution is presented and the potential for astrophysical observations is discussed.

quant-ph

Matter Density and Relativistic Models of Wave Function Collapse

Mathematical models for the stochastic evolution of wave functions that combine the unitary evolution according to the Schroedinger equation and the collapse postulate of quantum theory are well understood for non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Recently, there has been progress in making these models relativistic. But even with a fully relativistic law for the wave function evolution, a problem with relativity remains: Different Lorentz frames may yield conflicting values for the matter density at a space-time point. We propose here a relativistic law for the matter density function. According to our proposal, the matter density function at a space-time point x is obtained from the wave function psi on the past light cone of x by setting the i-th particle position in |psi|^2 equal to x, integrating over the other particle positions, and averaging over i. We show that the predictions that follow from this proposal agree with all known experimental facts.

quant-ph

Relativistic state reduction model

In order to address the measurement problem of quantum theory we make the assumption that quantum state reduction should be regarded as a genuine physical process deserving of a dynamical description. Generalizing the nonrelativistic spontaneous localization models of Ghirardi, Rimini, Weber, and Pearle, a relativistic state reduction mechanism is proposed. The mechanism involves nonlinear stochastic modifications to the standard description of unitary state evolution and the introduction of a mediating field to facilitate smearing of quantum field interactions.

quant-ph