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Arend Niehaus

Publications and source records attributed to Arend Niehaus.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Quantum interference without quantum mechanics

A recently proposed model of the Dirac electron, which describes observed properties of the particle correctly, is in the present paper shown to be also able to explain quantum interference by classical probabilities. According to this model, the electron is not point-like, but rather an "entity" formed by a fast periodic motion of a quantum whose energy is equal to the rest energy of the electron. Only after a time span equal to the period of that periodic motion the "entity" becomes the electron, with its properties, mass, spin, charge, etc.. When in motion with respect to the observer, the "dynamic substructure" of the electron described in this way, leads to a certain time structure of its detection probability, if the space-time point of detection is taken as the space-time point of the quantum. In the typical "two slit" experimental situation, this leads to a periodic detection probability with a frequency of twice the De Broglie frequency. This result is identical to the result obtained by the quantum mechanical description of the moving electron by the free particle wave function. The different interpretations of the established interference pattern, inherent in the two alternative theoretical descriptions is outlined, and the relation between the two descriptions discussed. It is concluded that quantum interference is well explained with classical probabilities, without quantum mechanics and without paradoxes. In view of the demonstrated merits of the model on the one hand, and the new aspects regarding the established theories it implies on the other, a more thorough investigation of its role in relation to relativistic quantum mechanics, and to quantum field theory is suggested. Some of the interesting aspects are summarized.

physics.gen-ph↗

Zitterbewegung and the Electron

Starting from a statistical model of the electron, which explains spin and spin measurements in terms of a probability density distribution resulting from a rapidly changing angular momentum during an extended Zitterbewegung, a light-like model of electron and Fermions is formulated. This model describes individual particles in terms of paths of a moving quantum. It is shown that this description allows one to reproduce observable properties as path-averages over a period of the fast extended Zitterbewegung in elementary calculations. The general topology of the paths may be described as a helical path, with a helix axis forming a circle around a fixed point in space. The radius of the helix and of the circle are equal and given by half the reduced Compton wave length of a photon of energy equal to the rest energy of the particle described. The paths depend on the relative velocity between the described entity and the observer, and represent the De Broglie wave. The merits of the proposed model are summarized and its role in relation to the established description by quantum mechanics discussed. It is concluded that it supports the existence of the proposed extended Zitterbewegung, and offers a description of quantum behaviour without quantum mechanics.

physics.gen-ph↗