arXiv subjects

Arnold Neumaier

Publications and source records attributed to Arnold Neumaier.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

OSGA: A fast subgradient algorithm with optimal complexity

This paper presents an algorithm for approximately minimizing a convex function in simple, not necessarily bounded convex domains, assuming only that function values and subgradients are available. No global information about the objective function is needed apart from a strong convexity parameter (which can be put to zero if only convexity is known). The worst case number of iterations needed to achieve a given accuracy is independent of the dimension (which may be infinite) and - apart from a constant factor - best possible under a variety of smoothness assumptions on the objective function.

math.OC↗

arXiv2013

A multi-phase, multi-component critical equation of state

Realistic equations of state valid in the whole state space of a multi-component mixture should satisfy at least three important constraints: (i) The Gibbs phase rule holds. (ii) At low densities, one can deduce a virial equation of state with the correct multi-component structure. (iii) Close to critical points, plait points, and consolute points, the correct universality and scaling behavior is guaranteed. This paper discusses semiempirical equations of state for mixtures that express the pressure as an explicit function of temperature and the chemical potentials. In the first part, expressions are derived for the most important thermodynamic quantities. The main result of the second part is the construction of a large family of equations of state with the properties (i)--(iii).

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2011

Classical and Quantum Mechanics via Lie algebras

The goal of this book is to present classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics in an almost completely algebraic setting, thereby introducing mathematicians, physicists, and engineers to the ideas relating classical and quantum mechanics with Lie algebras and Lie groups. The book emphasizes the closeness of classical and quantum mechanics, and the material is selected in a way to make this closeness as apparent as possible. Much of the material covered here is not part of standard textbook treatments of classical or quantum mechanics (or is only superficially treated there). For physics students who want to get a broader view of the subject, this book may therefore serve as a useful complement to standard treatments of quantum mechanics. Almost without exception, this book is about precise concepts and exact results in classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. The structural properties of mechanics are discussed independent of computational techniques for obtaining quantitatively correct numbers from the assumptions made. The standard approximation machinery for calculating from first principles explicit thermodynamic properties of materials, or explicit cross sections for high energy experiments can be found in many textbooks and is not repeated here.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

A simple hidden variable experiment

An experiment is described which proves, using single photons only, that the standard hidden variables assumptions (commonly used to derive Bell inequalities) are inconsistent with quantum mechanics. The analysis is very simple and transparent. In particular, it demonstrates that a classical wave model for quantum mechanics is not ruled out by experiments demonstrating the violation of the traditional hidden variable assumptions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

On the foundations of thermodynamics

On the basis of new, concise foundations, this paper establishes the four laws of thermodynamics, the Maxwell relations, and the stability requirements for response functions, in a form applicable to global (homogeneous), local (hydrodynamic) and microlocal (kinetic) equilibrium. The present, self-contained treatment needs very little formal machinery and stays very close to the formulas as they are applied by the practicing physicist, chemist, or engineer. From a few basic assumptions, the full structure of phenomenological thermodynamics and of classical and quantum statistical mechanics is recovered. Care has been taken to keep the foundations free of subjective aspects (which traditionally creep in through information or probability). One might describe the paper as a uniform treatment of the nondynamical part of classical and quantum statistical mechanics ``without statistics'' (i.e., suitable for the definite descriptions of single objects) and ``without mechanics'' (i.e., independent of microscopic assumptions). When enriched by the traditional examples and applications, this paper may serve as the basis for a course on thermal physics.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2005

Collapse challenge for interpretations of quantum mechanics

The collapse challenge for interpretations of quantum mechanics is to build from first principles and your preferred interpretation a complete, observer-free quantum model of the described experiment (involving a photon and two screens), together with a formal analysis that completely explains the experimental result. The challenge is explained in detail, and discussed in the light of the Copenhagen interpretation and the decoherence setting.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2003

Quantum field theory as eigenvalue problem

A mathematically well-defined, manifestly covariant theory of classical and quantum field is given, based on Euclidean Poisson algebras and a generalization of the Ehrenfest equation, which implies the stationary action principle. The theory opens a constructive spectral approach to finding physical states both in relativistic quantum field theories and for flexible phenomenological few-particle approximations. In particular, we obtain a Lorentz-covariant phenomenological multiparticle quantum dynamics for electromagnetic and gravitational interaction which provides a representation of the Poincare group without negative energy states. The dynamics reduces in the nonrelativistic limit to the traditional Hamiltonian multiparticle description with standard Newton and Coulomb forces. The key that allows us to overcome the traditional problems in canonical quantization is the fact that we use the algebra of linear operators on a space of wave functions slightly bigger than traditional Fock spaces.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2003

Ensembles and experiments in classical and quantum physics

A philosophically consistent axiomatic approach to classical and quantum mechanics is given. The approach realizes a strong formal implementation of Bohr's correspondence principle. In all instances, classical and quantum concepts are fully parallel: the same general theory has a classical realization and a quantum realization. Extending the `probability via expectation' approach of Whittle to noncommuting quantities, this paper defines quantities, ensembles, and experiments as mathematical concepts and shows how to model complementarity, uncertainty, probability, nonlocality and dynamics in these terms. The approach carries no connotation of unlimited repeatability; hence it can be applied to unique systems such as the universe. Consistent experiments provide an elegant solution to the reality problem, confirming the insistence of the orthodox Copenhagen interpretation on that there is nothing but ensembles, while avoiding its elusive reality picture. The weak law of large numbers explains the emergence of classical properties for macroscopic systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Effective Schroedinger equations for nonlocal and/or dissipative systems

The projection formalism for calculating effective Hamiltonians and resonances is generalized to the nonlocal and/or nonhermitian case, so that it is applicable to the reduction of relativistic systems (Bethe-Salpeter equations), and to dissipative systems modeled by an optical potential. It is also shown how to recover all solutions of the time-independent Schroedinger equation in terms of solutions of the effective Schroedinger equation in the reduced state space and a Schroedinger equation in a reference state space. For practical calculations, it is important that the resulting formulas can be used without computing any projection operators. This leads to a modified coupled reaction channel/resonating group method framework for the calculation of multichannel scattering information.

hep-th↗

arXiv2000

Bohmian mechanics contradicts quantum mechanics

It is shown that, for a harmonic oscillator in the ground state, Bohmian mechanics and quantum mechanics predict values of opposite sign for certain time correlations. The discrepancy can be explained by the fact that Bohmian mechanics has no natural way to accomodate the Heisenberg picture, since the local expectation values that define the beables of the theory depend on the Heisenberg time being used to define the operators. Relations to measurement are discussed, too, and shown to leave no loophole for claiming that Bohmian mechanics reproduces all predictions of quantum mechanics exactly.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2000

Noncommutative analysis and quantum physics I. Quantities, ensembles and states

A unified conceptual foundation of classical and quantum physics is given, free of undefined terms. Ensembles are defined by extending the `probability via expectation' approach of Whittle to noncommuting quantities. This approach carries no connotations of unlimited repeatability; hence it can be applied to unique systems such as the universe. Precise concepts and traditional results about complementarity, uncertainty and nonlocality follow with a minimum of technicalities. Probabilities are introduced in a generality supporting so-called effects (i.e., fuzzy events). States are defined as partial mappings that provide reference values for certain quantities. An analysis of sharpness properties yields well-known no-go theorems for hidden variables. By dropping the sharpness requirement, hidden variable theories such as Bohmian mechanics can be accommodated, but so-called ensemble states turn out to be a more natural realization of a realistic state concept. The weak law of large numbers explains the emergence of classical properties for macroscopic systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1999

Noncommutative analysis and quantum physics I. States and ensembles

In this sequence of papers, noncommutative analysis is used to give a consistent axiomatic approach to a unified conceptual foundation of classical and quantum physics. The present Part I defines the concepts of observables, states and ensembles, clarifies the logical relations and operations for them, and shows how they give rise to dynamics and probabilities. States are identified with maximal consistent sets of weak equalities in the algebra of observables (instead of, as usual, with the rays in a Hilbert space). This leads to a concise foundation of quantum mechanics, free of undefined terms, separating in a clear way the deterministic and the stochastic features of quantum physics. The traditional postulates of quantum mechanics are derived from well-motivated axiomatic assumptions. No special quantum logic is needed to handle the peculiarities of quantum mechanics. Foundational problems associated with the measurement process, such as the reduction of the state vector, disappear. The new interpretation of quantum mechanics contains `elements of physical reality' without the need to introduce a classical framework with hidden variables. In particular, one may talk about the state of the universe without the need of an external observer and without the need to assume the existence of multiple universes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1999

On a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics

The best mathematical arguments against a realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics - that gives definite but partially unknown values to all observables - are analysed and shown to be based on reasoning that is not compelling. This opens the door for an interpretation that, while respecting the indeterministic nature of quantum mechanics, allows to speak of definite values for all observables at any time that are, however, only partially measurable. The analysis also suggests new ways to test the foundations of quantum theory.

quant-ph↗