Classical and Quantum Discrete Dynamical Systems

Abstract

We study deterministic and quantum dynamics from a constructive "finite" point of view, since the introduction of a continuum, or other actual infinities in physics poses serious conceptual and technical difficulties, without any need for these concepts to physics as an empirical science. For a consistent description of the symmetries of dynamical systems at different times and the symmetries of the various parts of such systems, we introduce discrete analogs of the gauge connections. Gauge structures are particularly important to describe the quantum behavior. We show that quantum behavior is the result of a fundamental inability to trace the identity of indistinguishable objects in the process of evolution. Information is available only on invariant statements and values, relating to such objects. Using mathematical arguments of a general nature we can show that any quantum dynamics can be reduced to a sequence of permutations. Quantum interferences occur in the invariant subspaces of permutation representations of symmetry groups of dynamical systems. The observable values can be expressed in terms of permutation invariants. We also show that for the description of quantum phenomena, instead of a nonconstructive number system --- the field of complex numbers, it is enough to use cyclotomic fields --- the minimal extentions of natural numbers suitable for quantum mechanics. Finite groups of symmetries play a central role in this article. The interest in such groups has an additional motivation in physics. Numerous experiments and observations in particle physics point to an important role of finite groups of relatively low orders in a number of fundamental processes.