Physics Program Presents
Quantum Mechanics in Non-Inertial Reference Frames
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Hegeman 107
Sujeev Wickramasekara
Department of Physics, Grinnell College
Among the key physical principles that underlie quantum mechanics are the principle of superposition (quantum states can be combined to produce other states) and the principle of relativity (all inertial reference frames are equivalent). These two principles are synthesized and implemented in quantum theory by means of unitary representations of the relevant spacetime symmetry group—Galilei group in the nonrelativistic case and the Poincare group in the relativistic case. In fact, much of the essential structure of quantum mechanics is determined by these group representations. They provide us with a means to derive and understand emblematic features of the theory, such as the Heisenberg commutation relations, Schrodinger equation and discrete values of angular momentum. However, since the principle of relativity as encoded in Galilei and Poincare groups is a statement about inertial reference frames, a quantum theory based on these groups is also a theory, much like Newton's mechanics, that holds in inertial reference frames. In this talk, I will present my recent attempts to expand the notion of relativity to include accelerating, noninertial reference frames and develop a quantum theory grounded on the unitary representations of the groups of transformations that tie together noninertial reference frames. I will discuss how the resulting formalism allows us to understand the nature and role of some signature features of noninertial reference frames, including fictitious forces and the equivalence principle, in the quantum setting.
For more information, call 845-758-7302, or e-mail [email protected].
Location: Hegeman 107