Skip to main content
Log in

The nonrelativistic Schrödinger equation in “quasi-classical” theory

  • Published:
Foundations of Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The author has recently proposed a “quasi-classical” theory of particles and interactions in which particles are pictured as extended periodic disturbances in a universal field χ(x, t), interacting with each other via nonlinearity in the equation of motion for χ. The present paper explores the relationship of this theory to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics; as a first step, it is shown how it is possible to construct from χ a configuration-space wave function Ψ(x 1,x 2,t), and that the theory requires that Ψ satisfy the two-particle Schrödinger equation in the case where the two particles are well separated from each other. This suggests that the multiparticle Schrödinger equation can be obtained as a direct consequence of the quasi-classical theory without any use of the usual formalism (Hilbert space, quantization rules, etc.) of conventional quantum theory and in particular without using the classical canonical treatment of a system as a “crutch” theory which has subsequently to be “quantized.” The quasi-classical theory also suggests the existence of a preferred “absolute” gauge for the electromagnetic potentials.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. W. G. Wignall,Found. Phys. 15, 207 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  2. J. D. Bjorken and S. D. Drell,Relativistic Quantum Fields (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1965).

    Google Scholar 

  3. C. Davisson and L. H. Germer,Phys. Rev. 30, 705 (1927).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Y. Aharonov and D. Bohm,Phys. Rev. 115, 485 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  5. R. G. Chambers,Phys. Rev. Lett. 5, 3 (1960); H. A. Fowler, L. Marton, J. A. Simpson, and J. A. Suddeth,J. Appl. Phys. 32, 1153 (1961); H. Boersch, H. Hamisch, K. Grohmann, and D. Wohlleber,Z. Phys. 165, 79 (1961); G. Möllenstedt and W. Bayh,Phys. Bl. 18, 299 (1962); G. Matteucci and G. Pozzi,Am. J. Phys. 46, 619 (1978); G. Möllenstedt, H. Schmid, and H. Lichte, inElectron Microscopy 1982, edited by the Congress Organizing Committee (10th International Congress on Electron Microscopy, Hamburg, 1982), Vol. I, p. 433; A. Tonomura, T. Matsuda, R. Suzuki, A. Fukuhara, N. Osakebe, H. Umezeki, J. Endo, K. Shinagawa, Y. Sugita, and H. Fujiwara,Phys. Rev. Lett. 48, 1443 (1982);51, 331 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  6. J. W. G. Wignall, “Nonlocal Aspects of the Quasi-Classical Theory,” Melbourne University Preprint UM-P-84/93, 1984.

  7. K. Gottfried,Quantum Mechanics, Vol. I (Benjamin, New York, 1966).

    Google Scholar 

  8. R. P. Feynman,Rev. Mod. Phys. 20, 367 (1948); R. P. Feynman and A. R. Hibbs,Quantum Mechanics and Path Integrals (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1965).

    Google Scholar 

  9. W. Bartelet al., Z. Phys. C19, 197 (1983); D. Benderet al., Phys. Rev. D 30, 515 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wignall, J.W.G. The nonrelativistic Schrödinger equation in “quasi-classical” theory. Found Phys 17, 123–147 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00733204

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00733204

Keywords

Navigation