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Rajesh R. Parwani

Publications and source records attributed to Rajesh R. Parwani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The Constraints and Spectra of a Deformed Quantum Mechanics

We examine a deformed quantum mechanics in which the commutator between coordinates and momenta is a function of momenta. The Jacobi identity constraint on a two-parameter class of such modified commutation relations (MCR's) shows that they encode an intrinsic maximum momentum; a sub-class of which also imply a minimum position uncertainty. Maximum momentum causes the bound state spectrum of the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator to terminate at finite energy, whereby classical characteristics are observed for the studied cases. We then use a semi-classical analysis to discuss general concave potentials in one dimension and isotropic power-law potentials in higher dimensions. Among other conclusions, we find that in a subset of the studied MCR's, the leading order energy shifts of bound states are of opposite sign compared to those obtained using string-theory motivated MCR's, and thus these two cases are more easily distinguishable in potential experiments.

hep-th

Nonlinear Quantum Cosmology of de Sitter Space

We perform a minisuperspace analysis of an information-theoretic nonlinear Wheeler-deWitt (WDW) equation for de Sitter universes. The nonlinear WDW equation, which is in the form of a difference-differential equation, is transformed into a pure difference equation for the probability density by using the current conservation constraint. In the present study we observe some new features not seen in our previous approximate investigation, such as a nonzero minimum and maximum allowable size to the quantum universe: An examination of the effective classical dynamics supports the interpretation of a bouncing universe. The studied model suggests implications for the early universe, and plausibly also for the future of an ongoing accelerating phase of the universe.

gr-qc

Information and Cosmological Physics

We review an information-theoretic approach to quantum cosmology, summarising the key results obtained to date, including a suggestion that an accelerating universe will eventually turn around.

gr-qc

Information and Particle Physics

Information measures for relativistic quantum spinors are constructed to satisfy various postulated properties such as normalisation invariance and positivity. Those measures are then used to motivate generalised Lagrangians meant to probe shorter distance physics within the maximum uncertainty framework. The modified evolution equations that follow are necessarily nonlinear and simultaneously violate Lorentz invariance, supporting previous heuristic arguments linking quantum nonlinearity with Lorentz violation. The nonlinear equations also break discrete symmetries. We discuss the implications of our results for physics in the neutrino sector and cosmology.

hep-th

Probing Quantum Nonlinearities through Neutrino Oscillations

We investigate potential quantum nonlinear corrections to Dirac's equation through its sub-leading effect on neutrino oscillation probabilities. Working in the plane-wave approximation and in the $μ-τ$ sector, we explore various classes of nonlinearities, with or without an accompanying Lorentz violation. The parameters in our models are first delimited by current experimental data before they are used to estimate corrections to oscillation probabilities. We find that only a small subset of the considered nonlinearities have the potential to be relevant at higher energies and thus possibly detectable in future experiments. A falsifiable prediction of our models is an energy dependent effective mass-squared, generically involving fractional powers of the energy.

hep-ph

Nonlinear Schrodinger-Pauli Equations

We obtain novel nonlinear Schrödinger-Pauli equations through a formal non-relativistic limit of appropriately constructed nonlinear Dirac equations. This procedure automatically provides a physical regularisation of potential singularities brought forward by the nonlinear terms and suggests how to regularise previous equations studied in the literature. The enhancement of contributions coming from the regularised singularities suggests that the obtained equations might be useful for future precision tests of quantum nonlinearity.

quant-ph

Nonlinear Dirac Equations

We construct nonlinear extensions of Dirac's relativistic electron equation that preserve its other desirable properties such as locality, separability, conservation of probability and Poincaré invariance. We determine the constraints that the nonlinear term must obey and classify the resultant non-polynomial nonlinearities in a double expansion in the degree of nonlinearity and number of derivatives. We give explicit examples of such nonlinear equations, studying their discrete symmetries and other properties. Motivated by some previously suggested applications we then consider nonlinear terms that simultaneously violate Lorentz covariance and again study various explicit examples. We contrast our equations and construction procedure with others in the literature and also show that our equations are not gauge equivalent to the linear Dirac equation. Finally we outline various physical applications for these equations.

hep-th

Properties of some nonlinear Schrodinger equations motivated through information theory

We update our understanding of nonlinear Schrodinger equations motivated through information theory. In particular we show that a $q-$deformation of the basic nonlinear equation leads to a perturbative increase in the energy of a system, thus favouring the simplest $q=1$ case. Furthermore the energy minimisation criterion is shown to be equivalent, at leading order, to an uncertainty maximisation argument. The special value $η=1/4$ for the interpolation parameter, where leading order energy shifts vanish, implies the preservation of existing supersymmetry in nonlinearised supersymmetric quantum mechanics. Physically, $η$ might be encoding relativistic effects.

quant-ph

Nonlinear Quantum Cosmology

We study the effects of an information-theoretically motivated nonlinear correction to the Wheeler-deWitt equation in the minisuperspace scheme for flat, $k=0$, Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universes. When the only matter is a cosmological constant, the nonlinearity can provide a barrier that screens the original Big Bang, leading to the quantum creation of a universe through tunneling just as in the $k=1$ case. When the matter is instead a free massless scalar field, the nonlinearity can again prevent a contracting classical universe from reaching zero size by creating a bounce. Our studies here are self-consistent to leading order in perturbation theory for the nonlinear effects.

gr-qc

Singularity Avoidance in Nonlinear Quantum Cosmology

We extend our previous study on the effects of an information-theoretically motivated nonlinear correction to the Wheeler-deWitt equation in the minisuperspace scheme for FRW universes. Firstly we show that even when the geometry is hyperbolic, and matter given by a cosmological constant, the nonlinearity can still provide a barrier to screen the initial singularity, just as in the case for flat universes. Secondly, in the flat case we show that singularity avoidance in the presence of a free massless scalar field is perturbatively possible for a very large class of initially unperturbed quantum states, generalising our previous discussion using Gaussian states.

gr-qc

The large nonlinearity scale limit of an information-theoretically motivated nonlinear Schrodinger equation

A nonlinear Schrodinger equation, that had been obtained within the context of the maximum uncertainty principle, has the form of a difference-differential equation and exhibits some interesting properties. Here we discuss that equation in the regime where the nonlinearity length scale is large compared to the deBroglie wavelength; just as in the perturbative regime, the equation again displays some universality. We also briefly discuss stationary solutions to a naturally induced discretisation of that equation.

quant-ph

Can degenerate bound states occur in one dimensional quantum mechanics?

We point out that bound states, degenerate in energy but differing in parity, may form in one dimensional quantum systems even if the potential is non-singular in any finite domain. Such potentials are necessarily unbounded from below at infinity and occur in several different contexts, such as in the study of localised states in brane-world scenarios. We describe how to construct large classes of such potentials and give explicit analytic expressions for the degenerate bound states. Some of these bound states occur above the potential maximum while some are below. Various unusual features of the bound states are described and after highlighting those that are ansatz independent, we suggest that it might be possible to observe such parity-paired degenerate bound states in specific mesoscopic systems.

quant-ph

Integrable Hierarchies and Information Measures

In this paper we investigate integrable models from the perspective of information theory, exhibiting various connections. We begin by showing that compressible hydrodynamics for a one-dimesional isentropic fluid, with an appropriately motivated information theoretic extension, is described by a general nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation. Depending on the choice of the enthalpy function, one obtains the cubic NLS or other modified NLS equations that have applications in various fields. Next, by considering the integrable hierarchy associated with the NLS model, we propose higher order information measures which include the Fisher measure as their first member. The lowest members of the hiearchy are shown to be included in the expansion of a regularized Kullback-Leibler measure while, on the other hand, a suitable combination of the NLS hierarchy leads to a Wootters type measure related to a NLS equation with a relativistic dispersion relation. Finally, through our approach, we are led to construct an integrable semi-relativistic NLS equation.

nlin.SI

Some thoughts on an information-theoretic motivated nonlinear Schrodinger equation

I begin by reviewing the arguments leading to a nonlinear generalisation of Schrodinger's equation within the context of the maximum uncertainty principle. Some exact and perturbative properties of that equation are then summarised: those results depend on a free regulating/interpolation parameter $η$. I discuss here how one may fix that parameter using energetics. Other issues discussed are, a linear theory with an external potential that reproduces some unusual exact solutions of the nonlinear equation, and possible symmetry enhancements in the nonlinear theory.

quant-ph

A Physical Axiomatic Approach to Schrodinger's Equation

The Schrodinger equation for non-relativistic quantum systems is derived from some classical physics axioms within an ensemble hamiltonian framework. Such an approach enables one to understand the structure of the equation, in particular its linearity, in intuitive terms. Furthermore it allows for a physically motivated and systematic investigation of potential generalisations which are briefly discussed.

quant-ph

Common Axioms for Inferring Classical Ensemble Dynamics and Quantum Theory

The same set of physically motivated axioms can be used to construct both the classical ensemble Hamilton-Jacobi equation and Schrodingers equation. Crucial roles are played by the assumptions of universality and simplicity (Occam's Razor) which restrict the number and type of of arbitrary constants that appear in the equations of motion. In this approach, non-relativistic quantum theory is seen as the unique single parameter extension of the classical ensemble dynamics. The method is contrasted with other related constructions in the literature and some consequences of relaxing the axioms are also discussed: for example, the appearance of nonlinear higher-derivative corrections possibly related to gravity and spacetime fluctuations. Finally, some open research problems within this approach are highlighted.

quant-ph

Thermal Expansion Puzzles

The standard formula that describes the thermal expansion of a solid creates several puzzles for discerning students. Three puzzles are reviewed, and their common resolution discussed both conceptually and quantitatively.

physics.ed-ph